The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) published notice on January 19 that it intends to purchase the 987-acre Strawbridge Property to expand its White Clay Creek Preserve in Chester County.
The property includes more than seven miles of Big Elk Creek and its tributaries; important forested riparian buffers; over 353 acres of mature and young woodlands; over 145 acres of floodplain; 668 acres of prime farmland soils and soils of statewide importance; and moderate and steep slopes. It also contains habitat for various threatened and endangered plant and animal species and represents a critical resource in a rapidly developing area of southeastern Pennsylvania. Portions of the property are currently being farmed.
DCNR intends to use the property to provide passive recreation such as hiking, hunting, and wildlife watching. No recreational facilities are proposed to be developed at this time. Another purpose of this purchase is to resolve several instances where land purchased with federal Land and Water Conservation Fund monies were converted to other uses.
The property will be purchased from the Conservation Fund. DCNR is accepting comments on this transaction through March 5.
Click Here for a environmental assessment of the property. Questions and comments should be directed to Thomas Ford, director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, by sending email to: [email protected] or call 717-787-6674.
