Utilizing funds generated from the sale of the special Lake Erie fishing permits, the Fish and Boat Commission this week opted to move forward with two property rights acquisitions to improve access to popular Erie County steelhead trout fishing waters.

The first, a 1,885-linear-foot easement will provide access to Walnut Creek in Millcreek Township. The easement covers two contiguous parcels located between 38th Street and State Highway 832 (Sterrettania Road). One parcel will provide access to 1,000 linear feet on both sides of the creek. Another 885 feet will be along the south side of the creek.

The easements will be for public fishing, boating, riparian buffer and fisheries management and will include the stream corridor and extend at least 25 feet back from the top of the bank. An additional easement for parking along State Highway 832 and an existing trail are also part of the $27,000 deal.

The second easement covers more than 1,400 linear feet of Elk Creek as it flows across property in Girard Township. The easement will be for public fishing, boating, riparian buffer and fisheries management and will include the stream corridor and extend at least 25 feet back from the top of the bank. The easement parcel is located between Routes 5 and 20, along Elk Park Road. This easement is being offered to the Commission for no fee by Mercyhurst College.

More information on actions taken by the Commission is available online.

7/20/2007