For many years Girard Township leased the Elk Creek Access Area from Reliant Energy, and in 2002 they took ownership of those 83-acres of prime Steelhead fishing property. The Access was managed for public access as the deed covenant specified. The township maintained a small boat launch, parking lot, and restroom facilities.
On January 22, 2008, the supervisors voted to accept a $400,000 offer to purchase the Elk Creek property that they received from The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
This deal is a component of a draft master development plan proposed for the Erie Bluffs State Park located to the west of the access location. You can read more about the sale, and view a copy of the DCNR draft master plan for the park at http://www.storytrax.com/node/1177.