PFBC Board of Commissioners Installs New Officers, Increases Fees, Endorses Revenue Enhancements, and Makes Property Acquisitions

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the start of today's formal meeting, the Board elected Commissioner Eric Hussar as the new president and Commissioner Richard Lewis as vice-president. President Hussar resides in Lewisburg, Union County, and represents the PFBC's Fifth District, which includes Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties. Vice President Lewis resides in Gettysburg, Adams County, and is one of two boating-at-large Commissioners.

Commissioners acted on numerous revenue enhancements brought forward by staff designed to counter declines in traditional revenue and escalating costs associated with current programs.  Collectively, these revenue enhancements are projected to raise $1.2 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2018-19. These enhancements include, the introduction of four voluntary permits: a habitat conservation improvement permit, a muskie permit, a wild trout and enhanced waters permit, and a bass permit. The Commission also approved the establishment of a cover price for the annual Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws publication, and a Property Use and Entrance Permit, for those members of the public not holding a valid fishing license, launch permit or boat registration. 

Commissioners also voted to approve proposed rulemaking to increase permit fees for Scientific Collectors' Permits and permit fees for Triploid Grass Carp, Snapping Turtles, Venomous Snakes and Organized Reptile and Amphibian Hunts. These proposed increases in permit fees are in line with U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) tool that is based on annual inflation rates. Proposed increases are from $5 to $30 depending on the permit. Some of these permits have not been increased since 2008.

The Board also approved increases in seasonal mooring slip fees at Walnut Creek Marina. Rates for some boats at the marina were last increased in 2011, with all other boats last impacted in 2009.  Beginning in 2019, slip rates for boats 23 feet in length and less will be $775 annually, and slip rates for boats greater than 23 feet in length will be $1050. The Commission will publish these rate changes as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Additionally, the Board was briefed on the Executive Director's intent to increase the fee for Commission-issued launch permits, beginning in January 1, 2019, to bring the fee in alignment with those assessed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

In other official action today, the Board voted to authorize a grant to North East Township in Erie County for the development of an ADA accessible fishing pier, acquire several easements and sell or dispose of two small parcels of property for highway and bridge related improvements at locations across the Commonwealth.  Most notably, was the acquisition of an easement on 4,960 linear feet of stream along Sevenmile Creek as it flows across a parcel of property in Harborcreek Township, Erie County for $105,000. Funding for this project was generated from the sale of permits to fish Lake Erie and its tributaries.  This action will open more public access to an area of Sevenmile Creek that provides significant steelhead fishing opportunities.

In other action, Commissioners approved the designation of five stream sections to the Commission's list of Class A wild trout streams. These additions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. A list can be found on the PFBC website.

Also, the board approved the addition of 99 new waters to the Commission's list of wild trout streams and revised the section limit of one water. These additions will go into effect upon the publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The list of these waters can be found on the PFBC website.

In Armstrong County, Commissioners approved the raising of the horsepower restriction on Keystone Lake to 20 horsepower. This change will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

In Clarion County, the board approved a Slow No Wake (SNW) zone for Redbank Creek. The creek traditionally had been treated as a SNW zone without an official designation. This change will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Commission also approved an amendment to regulations pertaining to exemptions from license requirements, to meet current requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

A complete copy of today's agenda is available on the PFBC website.

Media Contact:
Steve Kralik, Bureau of Outreach, Education and Marketing
717.705.7850 or skralik@pa.gov

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission