Game Commission Approves Land Exchange with DCNR in Elk County

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners approved two land exchanges impacting State Game Lands in Somerset and Elk counties.

In Elk County, the Board has approved an exchange with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), in which the Game Commission will receive 291.43 acres of Elk State Forest in Benezette Township that will become part of SGL 311. In exchange, DCNR will receive 291.36 acres that will become part of Elk State Forest.

The Game Commission and DCNR negotiated this exchange to enhance the two separate agencies’ abilities to meet their independent objectives and benefit the general public’s use of these lands. The tract of SGL 311 being conveyed to DCNR is detached from the main portioned of the SGL and adjoins Elk State Forest. The tract being transferred from DCNR that will become part of SGL 311 will reduce the Game Commission’s future boundary line maintenance and enhance the Game Commission’s elk habitat management goals.

The exchange also will help DCNR alleviate an existing dangerous condition where horseback riding has been occurring along a narrow busy section of Route 555. No horse trails are on the acreage being conveyed to the Game Commission.

Both tracts are forested, and the acreage DCNR is transferring to the Game Commission has three herbaceous openings currently maintained by the Game Commission’s Food and Cover Corps.