HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 30) – During today's formal meeting, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Board of Commissioners acted on numerous property access and real estate matters intended to provide more public fishing and boating access within the Lake Erie watershed.
Under one agreement in Crawford County, Commissioners authorized the $11,200 purchase of easement rights on 540 linear feet of property along Conneaut Creek near Beaver Street owned by Springboro Borough. In a second agreement, the Board voted to authorize an easement acquisition of 5,560 linear feet along Fourmile Creek, which flows through seven parcels of property south of Route 20 in Wesleyville Borough, Erie County. This waterway is known to provide significant steelhead fishing opportunities. Both easements would be funded using monies collected by the PFBC through the sale of special Lake Erie fishing permits. To date, the PFBC has acquired 27.48 miles (145,094 linear feet) of public fishing access in the Lake Erie Watershed through easements and land purchases under the Erie Access Improvement Program.
In Huntingdon County, Commissioners authorized the acquisition of two parcels of land totaling one-acre that will provide public access to 201 feet of stream frontage along Spruce Creek. The combined properties located in Franklin Township near the Village of Franklinville, known as the Henry Trust properties, will be purchased for $205,000 and includes a donation of 0.49 acres.
The Board approved changes to fishing regulations at Chapman Dam Reservoir, located within Chapman State Park in Pleasant Township, Warren County. Commissioners approved the adoption of (All Species Except Trout) Catch and Release/No Harvest for the impoundment. The regulations are temporary in nature and intended to protect fish populations that will be rebuilt over several years under a restocking plan set to begin this spring or as soon as conditions allow. The refilling of the lake follows the completion of dam improvements that included a complete dewatering during the fall of 2017.
The Board also approved fishing regulation changes for three lakes whose dams were recently repaired or are in the process of being repaired. This includes the removal of Lake Jean located in Sullivan and Luzerne Counties from the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources dewatered Lake Jean in late fall 2015 to replace the control tower on the dam. After repairs and refilling in spring 2016, the Commission temporarily placed Lake Jean in the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program and began re-stocking efforts for select warm-water and cool-water fish species. Commission biologists evaluated Lake Jean in spring 2018 to determine if fish populations had developed enough to warrant removal of the temporary catch-and-release regulations. Fish populations in 2018 were in very good condition. Except for Black Crappie, total catch-per-hour and quality-size catch-per-hour values exceeded pre-drawdown levels. This improvement was expected given stocking, catch-and-release regulations, "new lake effect," habitat improvement, and limestone additions. Additionally, a remnant pool (approximately 20 acres) remained at the upstream end of the reservoir throughout the drawdown, allowing some quality-size fish to survive.
The Commission approved changes to regulations on Kyle Lake located in Jefferson County, which will remove it from the Big Bass Program and add it to the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program. This reservoir was completely dewatered during late fall 2016 to complete dam and spillway repairs/modifications per Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Sediment removal and dam and spillway repairs are expected to be complete by fall of 2019 with re-filling initiated soon after. The Commission plans to initiate stocking the lake beginning in the spring of 2020 with fingerling plants of select fish species to establish a high-quality warm-water and cool-water fishery. During the process of rebuilding the fishery, the reservoir will be open to fishing under the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program on a temporary basis. Lakes managed in this Program are regulated year-round for catch-and-release angling for all fish species. This approach will allow for the most rapid development of a balanced warm-water fish community, while offering acceptable levels of recreational angling opportunities.
The Board approved the addition of Tamarack Lake located in Crawford County to the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program. This reservoir was completely dewatered during late summer 2012 to complete dam and spillway repairs and modifications per Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Sediment removal and dam and spillway repairs are expected to be complete by May of 2019 with re-filling initiated soon after. The Commission plans to initiate stocking the lake beginning in the spring of 2020 with fingerling plants of select fish species to establish a high-quality warm-water and cool-water fishery. During the process of rebuilding the fishery, the reservoir will be open to fishing under the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program on a temporary basis. Lakes managed in this Program are regulated year-round for catch-and-release angling for all fish species. This approach will allow for the most rapid development of a balanced warm-water fish community, while offering acceptable levels of recreational angling opportunities. Fisheries Management staff will monitor the fish populations as needed while they develop and make necessary modifications to the species stocked and recommend adjustments to the regulations governing fish harvest to the Board of Commissioners to continually provide high-quality recreational angling opportunities at Tamarack Lake. It is anticipated that once the warm-water fishery has been reestablished, the lake will be recommended for removal from the Catch-and-Release Lakes Program and included in program(s) that accommodate appropriate fish harvest while maintaining high-quality recreational angling opportunities.
Each of these designations will go into effect beginning on January 1, 2020.
The Board noted that dam repairs that have occurred at these locations are among the types of critical infrastructure improvements that would be supported by the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Improvement Plan. Acknowledging the ongoing need to repair and maintain fishing and boating infrastructure while protecting public safety, the Commissioners approved a Resolution endorsing Restore Pennsylvania as a way to build on previous successful agency efforts to leverage capital investments on behalf of anglers, boaters and local communities.
The Commission approved a Resolution supporting recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. In doing so, the Board reinforced its support for the broadening of dedicated, non-federal funding mechanisms to conserve non-game species. Landmark conservation legislation, such as the Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration Act first passed in 1950, has been critical to the PFBC's efforts of providing sportfish opportunities. No less historic, a fully funded Recovering America's Wildlife Act is estimated to distribute about $34 million annually in federal funds to Pennsylvania ($17 million each to the Fish & Boat Commission and Game Commission) to address the approximately 300 conservation actions for Species of Greatest Conservation identified in Pennsylvania's 2015-2025 Wildlife Action Plan. This groundbreaking legislation would enhance Pennsylvania's rich natural heritage for today and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
In other action, staff identified 33 stream sections eligible for the list of Class A wild trout streams, 99 new waters to the list of wild trout streams, revisions to sections of nine waters, and the removal of one water from the wild trout list. A list of proposed waters can be found on the PFBC website. To allow for the Commission's practice of soliciting public comment 60 days in advance of a vote, the Board withheld action until May 9 or later, when a special meeting will occur. If approved at that time, these additions would go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
In non-voting action, Commissioners encouraged the public to participate in a survey that will assist in forming the agency's new strategic plan. The survey, which can be found by visiting the main page of www.fishandboat.com through May 10, will assist the PFBC in developing meaningful goals and objectives for operating effectively and efficiently into the future. Participants may take the survey anonymously. Questions about the survey or the strategic planning process can be directed to Sean Gimbel at (717)705-7842 or sgimbel@pa.gov.
The Commission's next meeting was scheduled for July 15-16, 2019 at the PFBC headquarters in Harrisburg.
A complete copy of today's agenda is available on the PFBC website.
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker, Communications Director
(717)705-7806
michparker@pa.gov