PROJECTS:
Open Space Preservation
Brink Property
Elk Creek is one of four streams targeted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Erie Access Improvement Program for fee simple and conservation easement acquisitions in order to maintain permanent open access for anglers. These streams are heavily used by anglers for steelhead fishing. It has been determined that the economic impact of steelhead fishing generates $10 million dollars per year into the local economy, mostly from outside-the-watershed tourism sources.
In light of this new program, PA Sea Grant, on behalf of the Lake Erie Region Conservancy (LERC), prepared matching grant applications to PFBC and DCNR for the acquisition of a conservation easement on the Brink property in Fairview Township. This easement would provide open access for anglers on a nearly ¾ mile stretch of Elk Creek west of Rt. 98. The easement would include public access to a cross-section of this part of the stream which includes the stream as well as property as much as 25' outward from the top of both stream banks. The cost of this conservation easement acquisition is anticipated to be approximately $70,000 plus administrative costs. A closing on this project is anticipated to take place in late 2007.
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