Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014 - 56

CURRENTS
At its quarterly business meeting held on July 14,
the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC)
elected new officers, approved a request to change the
designation on a section of Pine Creek in Lycoming
County, authorized the acquisition of access areas in
Luzerne and Erie counties, established a childrenonly fishing area in Forest County, approved a new
annual requirement for senior resident lifetime license
holders and adopted a new strategic plan. The Board
PFBC Executive Director John A. Arway with newly-elected PFBC
elected Commissioner Norman R. Gavlick as the new
Board President Norman R. Gavlick and newly-elected Vice President
president and Commissioner Edward P. Mascharka
Edward P. Mascharka III.
III as vice president.
"I appreciate this opportunity to serve as board president and hosts an opening day fishing contest and sponsors the annual
to work with our dedicated staff and continue the good work
Joe Kopena Memorial Fishing Derby. The change will take
we're doing," said Gavlick, who resides in Kingston, Luzerne
effect January 1, 2015.
County, and represents PFBC's Seventh District. "Over the next
Also, Commissioners voted to require senior resident
year, I look forward to exploring additional innovative ways to
lifetime license holders who want to fish for trout to purchase
increase license sales and generate interest in fishing and boating a trout/salmon permit each year. Seniors who purchase a
among families and kids."
trout/salmon permit in conjunction with a resident lifetime
Vice President Mascharka resides in Erie, Erie County, and
license before January 1, 2015, will be grandfathered.
represents PFBC's First District.
The PFBC estimates that the proposed change will
In Lycoming County, Commissioners approved a request
ultimately generate approximately $300,000 in additional
to change the regulations on a section of Pine Creek that will
annual revenue.
extend the current 1.2 mile Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures
In other action, Commissioners:
Only (DHALO) section downstream of Slate Run an additional
* Adopted a new strategic plan to guide agency activities
1.6 miles to Bonnell Run. Commissioners also directed staff to
through June 2017.
explore other regulatory options on the stream section and to
* Tabled a proposed change to the stocking policy for Class
present a recommendation at PFBC's fall meeting.
A wild trout, which would permit stocking to continue
Under DHALO regulations, fishing is permitted year-round,
on certain Class A waters that meet specific conditions.
but no trout can be harvested prior to June 15 or after Labor
Currently, stocking is prohibited on all Class A waters,
Day. From June 15 to Labor Day, anglers can keep three trout
which represent the best of the naturally reproducing
per day and the fish must be at least 9 inches. Tackle is limited
trout fisheries. The proposal will be addressed at the
to artificial lures and flies. The new designation will take effect
PFBC fall meeting.
January 1, 2015.
* Designated the Francis E. Walter Reservoir and Section
In Luzerne County, PFBC has been offered a donation of two
6 of the Lehigh River as approved trout waters open
parcels of land totaling 10.77 acres and providing approximately
to year-round fishing. The change, effective January 1,
2,515 linear feet of frontage along Big Wapwallopen Creek in
2015, will provide additional fishing opportunities by
Wright Township. Big Wapwallopen Creek provides significant
allowing anglers to fish the reservoir and the 9.7-mile
wild and stocked trout fishing opportunities. The property is
section from March 1 to the opening day of trout
being donated by George Venesky.
season. Anglers can target trout on a catch and release
In Erie County, PFBC agreed to purchase for $30,000 a
basis or fish for other game species.
1.7-acre property, which provides access to approximately
* Approved a 25-year agreement with Potter Township,
490 linear feet of frontage on each side of Twelvemile Creek
Centre County, to lease PFBC's Colyer Lake property,
in Harborcreek Township. The property, owned by Daniel
excluding the dam. The township and the Save Colyer
Galbreath, is located immediately south of Route 5 along
Lake group intend to make recreational enhancements
Mooreheadville Road near North East.
to the property and lake habitat. The lease requires the
In Forest County, Commissioners approved a request from
township to be responsible for routine maintenance
the Kelletville Sportsman Club to designate a ½-mile section of
and to seek PFBC approval before making any new
Ross Run as a year-round exclusive use fishing area for children
recreational improvements.
12 years of age and younger. The section extends from the Ross
* Approved a Non-Surface Use Oil and Gas Cooperative
Run Road Bridge downstream ½-mile to the mouth.
Agreement with Southwestern Energy Production
The club has worked cooperatively for six consecutive years
Company for the development of oil and natural gas at
with PFBC's Division of Habitat Management to improve the
PFBC's Stump Pond property in New Milford Township,
habitat within this section. It stocks the section six times a year,

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2014

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photo-Jeff Decker

Commission Meeting Held

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014

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