HOUSE GAME AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE

Hearing to receive annual report form PFBC

Click here to read the report as presented by Dr. Douglas Austen

By Kimberly Hess, PLS

2-8-05

The Committee held a public hearing for the PA Fish & Boat Commission to present its Annual Report to the Committee.

Members in attendance included: Chairman Bruce Smith (R-York), Democratic Chairman Ed Staback (D-Lackawanna), and Representatives Teresa Forcier (R- Crawford), Gordon Denlinger (R-Lancaster), Mark McNaughton (R-Dauphin), Matt Good (R-Erie), Marc Gergely (D-Allegheny), Gary Haluska (D-Cambria), Tina Pickett (R-Bradford), Keith Gillespie (R-York), Mark Keller (R-Perry), Curt Sonney (R-Erie), Paul Costa (D-Allegheny), Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill), James Shaner (D-Fayette), Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny), Chris Sainato (D- Lawrence), Sheila Miller (R-Berks), Rod Wilt (R-Mercer), Mike McGeehan (D- Philadelphia), Sam Rohrer (R-Berks), Mike Diven (R-Allegheny), and Edward Wojnaroski (D-Cambria).

Dr. Douglas Austen, Executive Director of the Commission, stated that 2004 was a successful year for the Commission, as relationships were built and enhanced throughout the year. He noted that HB 2155 of last session has been implemented, bringing in needed revenue for the Commission. Some of the major accomplishments of 2004 include:

• Dam removal and fish passage; 12 removals were facilitated during 2004 and 50 more are currently in the works. Such removals are good ecologically and often address serious safety concerns; many dams have outlived their usefulness.
• Erie tributary steelhead economic survey; the survey found that the development of the fishery has led to economic activity of over $10 million and 200 jobs.
• The PA water trail program; a program where each new water trail is a collaborative effort of many partners, local and statewide. The projects identify access points, points of interest and other useful information for the public.
• Rollout of the $2 million Boating Infrastructure Program; the program includes a boating access grant program and will expand internal capacity to maintain and improve existing facilities.
• State Wildlife Grant Program; the program receives funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to enable the completion of critically important work on non-game species that are of conservation concern. Ongoing projects include work on bog turtles, paddlefish, massasuaga, rattlesnake and sturgeon.
• Water rescue training; the importance of water rescue training was highlighted by the flooding that followed after Hurricane Ivan passed through PA. The program is funded from fishing license and boat registration fees, yet the program is important to the entire Commonwealth. The Commission is asking that the State share the burden in funding the program.
• Completed strategic planning process; the Commission is on the verge of publishing a new strategic plan that will set the course for the upcoming years.

Dr. Austen then outlined the challenges that the Commission faces this year:

• Infrastructure: operational funding issues were addressed with the increases authorized by HB 2155, but now infrastructure needs to be addressed. Currently the Commission has a backlog of $153 million in infrastructure needs--$85 million in hatchery needs, $56 million for dams, and $10 million for access areas. These, Dr. Austen emphasized, are all State properties.
• Habitat: fishing and boating opportunities are predicated upon good habitat that supports quality fishing and boating experiences. The pervasiveness of orange water through the state is an easy reminder to all about the challenges we face. Other, less obvious challenges include the effects of non-point source pollution, groundwater withdrawals, and the small incremental impacts that multiply as PA's population continues to spread out into less developed areas.
• Customer base: License sales in 2004 increased 2%, but the Commission projects an 8-11% decrease in license sales due to the increase in license fees. As the Commission looks to the future, it will work to enhance marketing and promotions with a newly hired marketing staff. Additionally, efforts to target known successful programs will be enhanced to draw in new anglers.
• Staffing: in the next four years, 25% of the Commission's staff will be eligible for retirement. This will create opportunities for younger staff and a leadership vacuum that the Commission will address as an immediate concern. The Commission will develop a more comprehensive internal training program and redefine skills needed to be effective in positions.

Lastly, Dr. Austen outlined projects and programs that will be coming online in 2005:

• Trout regulation simplification to remove hurdles to fishing. Fisheries staff will be continuing to propose simplifications that will cut in half the current number of regulations.
• Hatchery productions changes, with a focus on quality not quantity. The Commission will maintain a production goal of 1.9 million pounds of trout, but trout will be 30% bigger. This means there will be a 20% reduction in the total number of trout. This is a recommendation of the Trout Summit of 2002.
• Development of regulations for the Charter and Guide program that was included in HB 2155. The regulations are being developed by a group of 18 active guide and charter operators.
• Continued work to develop an understanding of the biology of the major river systems of western PA. The Commission will continue to collect mussel and fish information in conjunction with permit request, and will pursue a broader more comprehensive information gathering and analysis program. Additionally, the Commission is working with a variety of partner groups to develop the Three Rivers Ecological Research Center, which would be a focal point for a variety of interests in the ecology and management of the rivers of western PA.
• Development of the Lake Erie stamp to effectively and efficiently invest proceeds in the fishing and boating opportunities of Lake Erie and its watershed. Currently the Commission is developing the guidelines for a citizen advisory committee that will provide advice and ideas for the plans as well as act as emissaries for the plan. An internal staff team will be given the task of guiding the effort and making decisions regarding expenditures.

Chairman Smith opened the questioning by commenting that he receives far more email complaints regarding the Game Commission than the Fish & Boat Commission. He then asked how the $1 that HB 2155 dedicated toward implementing a point-of-sale (POS) system in conjunction with the Game Commission is being utilized. Dr. Austen replied that the two commissions are working together and have signed a memo confirming the partnership and the duties assigned. He added that a request for quotes (RFQ) has been issued. Dr. Austen stated that the POS system should be up and running by July 2006 for the Game Commission and December 2006 for the Fish & Boat Commission.

Democratic Chairman Staback noted that Dr. Austen testified that the Commission will not draw down any of the $13.4 million available to the Commission (which must be paid back with interest), and asked how necessary improvements will be made or how that infrastructure will operate without improvements. Dr. Austen replied that the Commission hopes to make repairs through relationships with other agencies. He noted that the Commission has had discussions with Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty and has decided to implement hatchery fixes through sequencing upgrades instead of all at once. This, Dr. Austen explained, will allow the Commission to see how the upgrades and technology are functioning and make necessary adjustments of subsequent upgrades. Dr. Austen also noted that the Commission has elected not to draw down that money because it hopes to redefine its relationship with the money, adding that other state agencies are not expected to pay back moneys used for such purposes.

Rep. Forcier asked how long dedicated funding from the Lake Erie stamp will continue. Dr. Austen explained that for the first five years the money must be dedicated to access. After that, the money will go into the Fish Fund for undetermined purposes. Rep. Forcier then noted that there has been some discussion about purchasing a vessel on Lake Erie. Dr. Austen reiterated that the money must be used for access only for the first five years. After that, he indicated, the money may be used for anything and purchasing a vessel would be possible. He noted that the current research vessel is in need of repairs, which would be very expensive.

Rep. Gergely asked if the term "navigable waters" should be defined in statute or regulation, noting that the Donny Beaver case has brought the issue to light. Dr. Austen replied that creating an understanding of "navigable" would save time and money. He added that the definition could be firmed up by the legislature.

Rep. Haluska asked if there will be any changes on delayed harvest areas. Dr. Austen replied that some delayed harvest areas were added at the last Commission meeting.

Rep. McGeehan praised the work of the Commission, especially their commitment to urban environments. He then asked if any thought has been given to developing a Delaware/Schuylkill Rivers stamp, like the Lake Erie stamp. Dr. Austen replied that he thinks such a stamp is worth considering.

Rep. Hanna then asked if the Commission would consider a fly fisherman stamp, noting that fly fishermen get special treatment from the Commission and should pay for that. He added that he'd be willing to draft legislation for such a stamp. Dr. Austen replied that there may be some issues associated with implementing a fly fisherman stamp, but it is an interesting option.

Rep. Miller commended the Commission for its relationship with agriculture and encouraged the commission to continue to help educate landowners on the benefits of keeping land in agriculture. Dr. Austen agreed, noting that he is from Illinois and understands the challenges farmers face.

Before concluding the meeting, Chairman Smith remarked that the Committee will be meeting April 4th at 9:30 a.m. with the Game Commission to discuss the deer problems. He noted that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been invited to attend. Additionally, the Committee will be meeting March 10th and 11th in Clinton County to discuss bear issues