Molson

Best way to solve the problem is to stop Stocking Steelhead in these streams and let them go back to the way Mother Nature intended them to be.  No Steelhead water for the guides to lease and have for themselves.

 
While I might agree with you here, the main issue that I see with completely ending the Steelhead stocking in Erie is that this would also hurt the landowners. Streamside property with Steelhead in worth much than than streamside property without Steelhead. Especially if the property is a pretty good stretch that can be leased. There is no easy solution to this issue because a monster has been created and just like any monster it is unpredictable and tough to manage.

The Spring Ridge club does NOT own 6 mile, or even lease it.

Spoon
 
I also forgot to mention in my last post, who owns six mile?

Our own SLOB brothers in the steelhead community are ruining this fishery.  The best thing is to either stop stocking steelhead or make all access private and CHARGE $$$$ for the permission to fish, then maybe people will respect others property.  The DSR is a wonderful place in NY, maybe that is the answer for Erie's troubles..  Would provide alot of $$$ for the area and future of the fisheries...

The landowner asked the PF&BC to post signs directing angler to use certain access routes, but to the last of my knowledge never entered into an easement. He has been most co-operative, and earnest in his desire to continue to allow access. But doesn't wish to be legally bound to it. His biggest issue has been vehicles blocking access to his field, as well as vehicular & foot traffic through them.

I can't see how you can tell a landowner that a fisherman, hunter, or hiker can walk right through their backyard because there happens to be a bit of water flowing through it.

 
The same way you can tell a landowner that a car, truck, bicycle or pedestrian can pass through their backyard because there happens to be a piece of road going through it.

that would be the height of audacity, to demand that a landowner allow people to trespass on their property over a fish.  I agree with cold, very different situation.  And if it were your land or my land, we certainly wouldn't be arguing for the state to go all eminent domain on us!!!

Cold

While I might agree with you here, the main issue that I see with completely ending the Steelhead stocking in Erie is that this would also hurt the landowners.

How is that a problem at all?

So the issue is because landowners won't allow anglers to access the stream, to fish for fish that they paid for, through their property...but we can't stop stocking these same fish because then the anglers wouldn't want to fish there, so it'd affect the property value of the landowners?

While I'd need to see some hard data supporting this idea that the steelhead greatly increase the value of Erie trib frontage (highly skeptical as to that alone), even if it does...who cares about their property values?  If it's only valuable because of the very thing they're prohibiting access to, then it might as well not be there.

 
Cold
 
The fact we are talking about it shows the increased value of the land with Steelhead streams running through the area. Living in Erie and having purchased a home recently, I looked at a few houses that had streamside property on some of the western tribs and the prices were much, much higher than houses without access in the same area.  I ultimately chose to live closer to the city, because my wife was not too thrilled about buying a run down, over-priced house that was on a lot with access to steelhead fishing. The one house we were looking at was for sale by owner and the guy was even trying to market the fishing in his yard as part of the sale.
 
Now back to my point of decreasing the value, property taxes are based on your assessment, which are for the most part based on recent sales. Additionally, property taxes go up or stay the same based on your property's value. I am talking about property taxes because these property owners have been paying higher property taxes because of the prices that the PFBC and private buyers are willing to pay for the properties that have access to steelhead fishing. If you take away the steelhead the property taxes will not go down, despite the decreased value of the land. In other words, the market determines your property taxes, well it is supposed to anyway, and steelhead have increased the property taxes. Taking away the steelhead would leave the property owners with the high taxes and less people interested in the properties. Think of it if you were a buyer, having a creek that could possibly flood running through your yard is usually a negative. Having a creek with steelhead running through your yard increases buyer interest and gives you the ability to fish or lease the land out for fishing.

Cold
 
I can see what you are saying and I think the only way to get numbers would be to target specific and comparable addresses in Erie with and without stream access and examine the property taxes over time as a measure of appreciation. All of this data is available on the Erie county website, but I am not going to devote my time to analyzing and interpreting this data. The fact of the matter is you can be as skeptical as you want, but it is well known that waterfront property has an increased value and property with access to excellent fishing is also coveted and valued at a higher price. The situation with a creek or river is also unique because if a house is flood prone this could negatively affect value. Here are a few examples:
 
Waterfront 2 bedroom house in Lake City (2 beds and 2 baths)
Price = $225,000 and taxes =$4,516
 
Non-Waterfront house same neighborhood in Lake City (3 bedrooms, 1 bath)
Price = $125,000 and taxes = $2,231
 
Streamfront house in Springfield
4 bedrooms and 3 baths
Price = $225,000 and taxes = $2,291
 
Non-streamfront house in Springfield with fishing pond in yard
4 bedrooms and 1 bath (but with a bigger lot and garage)
Price =$169,900 and taxes =$1,610
 
Streamfront house with lake views in North East on 16 mile
(This house is pretty new and the park with public access is across the street so this would not be ideal streamside property)
4 beds and 3 baths
Price = $369,900 and taxes = $4,155
 
I didn't post the links, but these are all current listings you can find in the MLS or on any real estate website. I wish there was more available to look at, but at this time of year there are not as many listings.

It Doesnt matter what WE WOULD PAY for the land, It matters what it is valued at.  Just because I would pay 300K for the Property doesnt mean the banks or the county views the value at that same price. 

This thread has probably regressed beyond the point of saving it.
 
Trackstat, every waterfront property in every county in the country iw worth more than the equivalent property that isn't waterfront.  WTF is your point?  You don't have one.
 
Now, back on topic.
 
Greg Senyo, he's out for himself & himself only, it appears.  I'll not purchase any of that ridiculous dubbing that sports his name again.  And recommend you all do the same.

D-nymph
This thread has probably regressed beyond the point of saving it.
Trackstat, every waterfront property in every county in the country iw worth more than the equivalent property that isn't waterfront.  WTF is your point?  You don't have one.

 
First of all, point number one is get a job nymphie I am tired of paying for your entitlements. Point two is waterfront property is more valuable and waterfront property with high quality fishing access is even more valuable. Ever heard of a fishing club or a landowner who leases their property to a guide? Without fish there is no reason for Spring Ridge, the PFBC or anyone else to lease/purchase Erie trib land, other than to have land with a scenic creek running through it. The stocking of steelhead has caused several problems and if you randomly stop not all of these problems will go away.

A

Selling price has little to do with the county assessed value. Not nothing, but little. Go to your courthouse and ask the chief assessor to explain your assessment and how they arrived at that number. I did, he couldn't explain it... Every county will differ somewhat, but they are basically based on square footage and condition. Might be more fair if they based them on selling price though...

This is all very interesting after you guys are done brainstorming this issue is someone gonna run for office so they can implement the fix. Or at least call the pfbc and explain to them the genius idea. Would probably get a medal or the key to the city or something