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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 06-980

PROPOSED RULEMAKING

FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION

[58 PA. CODE CHS. 61, 63, 65 AND 69]

Fishing

[36 Pa.B. 2708]
[Saturday, June 3, 2006]

   The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) proposes to amend Chapters 61, 63, 65 and 69. The Commission is publishing this proposed rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Fish and Boat Code) (code).

A.  Effective Date

   The proposed rulemaking, if approved on final-form rulemaking, will go into effect on January 1, 2007.

B.  Contact Person

   For further information on the proposed rulemaking, contact Laurie E. Shepler, Esq., P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This proposal is available on the Commission's website at www.fish. state.pa.us.

C.  Statutory Authority

   The proposed amendments to §§ 61.1, 61.2, 63.3, 65.26, 69.12 and 69.12a are published under the statutory authority of section 2102 of the code (relating to rules and regulations). The proposed amendment to § 63.20 (relating to permits for the protection and management of trout and salmon) is published under the statutory authority of section 2904 of the code (relating to permits for protection and management of particular fish). The proposed amendments to §§ 65.4a, 65.7, 65.9 and 65.24 and proposed § 65.12 (relating to Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program) are published under the statutory authority of section 2307 of the code (relating to waters limited to specific purposes).

D.  Purpose and Background

   The proposed rulemaking is designed to update, modify and improve the Commission's fishing regulations. The specific purpose of the proposed amendments is described in more detail under the summary of proposals.

E.  Summary of Proposals

   (1)  Sections 61.1 and 65.26. Recently, a question arose as to which waters the extended season applies. Section 61.1 (relating to Commonwealth inland waters) states that the extended season applies to ''streams listed as approved trout waters and all waters downstream of streams listed as approved trout waters, plus lakes and ponds.'' Section 65.26 (relating to extended trout season), on the other hand, states that the extended season is in effect on ''approved trout waters and downstream areas, plus lakes and ponds.'' The wording of these sections does not reflect that lakes and ponds themselves can be approved trout waters or that lakes and ponds can be waters downstream of approved trout waters. Therefore, the Commission proposes that these sections be amended to provide that the extended season applies to approved trout waters and all waters downstream of approved trout waters. The Commission proposes that these sections be amended to read as set forth in Annex A.

   (2)  Section 63.20. Under § 63.20(e), a trout/salmon permit is required when persons fish in streams or rivers that are approved trout waters or their tributaries during the 2-week period that begins on the first Saturday after April 11. However, this 2-week period does not cover the period when the Commission is actively stocking trout. Therefore, the Commission proposes that § 63.20 be amended to provide that a trout/salmon permit is required when persons fish in streams and rivers that are approved trout waters or their tributaries from March 1 through May 31. This period more accurately reflects the period during which the majority of the Commission's stocking occurs. In addition, the requirement is consistent with the Commission's thinking that trout are the primary species being targeted by anglers during that time period. The Commission accordingly proposes that § 63.20 be amended to read as set forth in Annex A.

   (3)  Sections 65.12 and 61.1, 61.2, 63.3, 65.4a, 65.7, 65.9, 65.24, 69.12 and 69.12a. Under the current regulations for Commonwealth inland waters, the opening day of the regular trout season occurs on the first Saturday after April 11. Considering the fact that differences exist in climate across this Commonwealth, the time frame for providing optimum conditions for trout angling during the spring is earlier in portions of southern Pennsylvania, particularly in southeastern Pennsylvania. For example, in southeastern Pennsylvania, air temperatures tend to be warmer earlier in the spring as compared with other regions of this Commonwealth. These warmer temperatures also provide conditions better suited for trout angling at an earlier time in the spring in this region of this Commonwealth. However, these same warming conditions also can limit trout angling opportunities by mid-spring on many southeastern Pennsylvania waters. The combination of a mid-April opening day and the potential for these waters to become too warm for trout angling by mid-May constricts the amount of time that trout angling can be provided. The Commission therefore proposes the establishment of an earlier opening day in this region of this Commonwealth to address this problem.

   Another issue that an earlier opening day in southeastern Pennsylvania will address is the growing concerns with the movement of stocked trout prior to opening day as well as the fact that some fish die between the time of stocking and opening day. A southeast regional opening day will provide the opportunity to stock trout in southeastern Pennsylvania earlier for the earlier opening day and shift the stocking to the other regions for the later opening day. This will effectively help to shorten the times between stocking and opening day throughout this Commonwealth.

   The Commission reviewed several alternative boundaries for the southeast regional opening day and proposes to utilize the alternative that covers the following 18 counties: Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York. This alternative includes the stream sections and lakes set forth in the lists that follow this preamble.

   To provide for an earlier opening day in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Commission proposes to add a special regulations program entitled Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program in § 65.12. The Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program will allow the Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, to designate waters in certain regions as waters subject to the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season regulations. The opening day of trout season for these waters will be the first Saturday after March 28, 2 weeks earlier than the current opening day. The Commission proposes § 65.12 to read as set forth in Annex A.

   The Commission also proposes that trout stocked lakes in this region that are currently managed under § 65.10 (relating to Early Season Trout Stocked Waters Program) will be managed under the new regional opening day regulation. These waters are designated with an asterisk in the list following this preamble.

   The waters that the Commission proposes to be selected initially for inclusion in this program are located in southeastern Pennsylvania. This program, however, may be extended in the future to waters in other parts of the Commonwealth where conditions support their inclusion in the program.

   With the creation of a regional opening day, § 61.1 and § 63.3 (relating to fishing in approved trout waters) must be amended to reflect that it is unlawful to fish in approved trout waters regulated under the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program from 12:01 a.m. on March 1 to 8 a.m. on the first Saturday after March 28. This proposed prohibition is in addition to the current prohibition against fishing in approved trout waters regulated under § 61.1 from 12:01 a.m. on March 1 to 8 a.m. on the first Saturday after April 11. The creation of a regional opening day also requires minor amendments to §§ 61.1, 61.2, 65.4a, 65.7, 65.9, 65.24, 69.12 and 69.12a to clarify that the opening day that is referred to in those sections is the opening day of the regular trout season (that is, the first Saturday after April 11). The Commission proposes that these sections be amended to read as set forth in Annex A.

F.  Paperwork

   The proposed rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will create no new paperwork requirements.

G.  Fiscal Impact

   The proposed rulemaking will not have an adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions. However, the Commission will incur relatively nominal costs to print and post new signs for waters included in the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program. The proposed rulemaking will impose no new costs on the private sector or the general public.

H.  Public Comments

   Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, objections or suggestions about the proposed rulemaking to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 within 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.

   Comments also may be submitted electronically by completing the form at www.state.pa.us/Fish/regcomments. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt. Electronic comments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.

DOUGLAS J. AUSTEN, Ph.D.,   
Executive Director

   Fiscal Note:  48A-183. (1) Fish Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2006-07 is $5,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2007-08 is $0; 2nd Succeeding Year 2008-09 is $0; 3rd Succeeding Year 2009-10 is $0; 4th Succeeding Year 2010-11 is $0; 5th Succeeding Year 2011-12 is $0; (4) 2005-06 Program--$0; 2004-05 Program--$0; 2003-04 Program--$0; (7) General Government Operations; (8) recommends adoption.

Streams proposed for inclusion in the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program
(18-County Option)

Bold are crossover sections or streams

Water Name
Section
County 1
County 2
County 3
Length (miles)
Antietam Creek East Branch 2 Adams Franklin     4.225
Bermudian Creek 2 Adams     3.081
Bermudian Creek 4 Adams     1.220
Carbaugh Run 3 Adams Franklin     1.367
Conewago Creek 3 Adams     2.485
Conewago Creek 5 Adams     6.649
Conococheague Creek 2 Adams Franklin     3.902
Latimore Creek 2 Adams     5.654
Marsh Creek 2 Adams     5.704
Marsh Creek Ltl. 2 Adams     2.361
Marsh Creek Ltl. 3 Adams     4.847
Middle Creek 2 Adams     5.903
Opossum Creek 2 Adams     8.264
Toms Creek 2 Adams     4.753
Antietam Creek 2 Berks     1.864
Antietam Creek 4 Berks     2.485
Furnace Creek 2 Berks     2.734
Hay Creek 2 Berks     2.361
Hay Creek 3 Berks     3.977
Kistler Creek 2 Berks Lehigh     2.479
Lehigh Creek Ltl. 2 Berks Lehigh     3.231
Maiden Creek 1 Berks     2.485
Maiden Creek 2 Berks     2.299
Manatawny Creek 2 Berks     7.394
Manatawny Creek 4 Berks     3.169
Mill Creek 2 Berks Lebanon     1.988
Mill Creek 2 Berks     5.654
Mill Creek 3 Berks     3.045
Muddy Creek Ltl. 2 Berks Lancaster     3.480
Northkill Creek 3 Berks     5.903
Ontelaunee Creek 2 Berks Lehigh     9.383
Perkiomen Creek 3 Berks Montgomery     3.728
Pine Creek 2 Berks     4.163
Rock Run 2 Berks Lancaster     3.418
Sacony Creek 2 Berks     3.293
Sacony Creek 3 Berks     1.491
Spring Creek 2 Berks     2.175
Swamp Creek 2 Berks Lancaster     3.200
Swatara Creek Ltl. 2 Berks     5.095
Tulpehocken Creek 2 Berks Lebanon   12.179
UNT Pine Creek (Eckville) 2 Berks     0.932
Willow Creek 3 Berks     1.901
Wyomissing Creek 2 Berks     2.591
Delaware Canal 5 Bucks     8.575
Neshaminy Creek 2 Bucks     1.932
Neshaminy Creek 4 Bucks     1.040
Perkiomen Creek East    Branch 2 Bucks     3.915
Unami Creek 2 Bucks     3.293
Lizard Creek 2 Carbon Schuylkill     2.361
Lizard Creek 4 Carbon     7.084
Mahoning Creek 2 Carbon Schuylkill     2.983
Mahoning Creek 3 Carbon     7.705
Beaver Creek 2 Chester     2.983
Brandywine Creek East    Branch 2 Chester     5.220
Brandywine Creek West    Branch 3 Chester     3.790
Buck Run 2 Chester     3.604
Elk Creek Bg. 1 Chester     4.660
Elk Creek East Branch 2 Chester     2.423
French Creek 2 Chester     8.388
French Creek 4 Chester     7.146
Pickering Creek 2 Chester     2.051
Pocopson Creek 2 Chester     4.536
Valley Creek West 2 Chester     2.113
White Clay Creek 1 Chester     1.181
White Clay Creek East    Branch 2 Chester     7.767
White Clay Creek East    Branch 3 Chester     2.548
White Clay Creek M. Branch 2 Chester     5.654
Green Spring Creek 3 Cumberland     0.994
Middle Spring Creek 2 Cumberland Franklin     5.779
Mountain Creek 3 Cumberland     3.169
Mountain Creek 5 Cumberland     4.785
Spring Creek Bg. 3 Cumberland     1.056
Spring Creek Bg. 4 Cumberland     1.305
Yellow Breeches Creek 2 Cumberland   14.602
Yellow Breeches Creek 4 Cumberland York   27.713
Armstrong Creek 2 Dauphin     7.394
Clark Creek 2 Dauphin     7.021
Clark Creek 3 Dauphin     5.965
Clark Creek 5 Dauphin     9.321
Mahantango Creek 3 Dauphin Schuylkill Northumberland   21.089
Manada Creek 3 Dauphin     8.451
Pine Creek 4 Dauphin Schuylkill     3.790
Powell Creek 1 Dauphin     6.841
Powell Creek 3 Dauphin     6.071
Powell Creek South Fork 2 Dauphin     2.485
Rattling Creek 1 Dauphin     2.113
Rattling Creek West Branch 2 Dauphin     2.299
Stony Creek 3 Dauphin     6.835
Wiconisco Creek 2 Dauphin   13.266
Wiconisco Creek 4 Dauphin     1.603
Chester Creek 4 Delaware     4.474
Chester Creek West Branch 2 Delaware     4.101
Darby Creek 2 Delaware     6.400
Darby Creek 3 Delaware     5.468
Darby Creek Ltl. 2 Delaware     0.808
Ithan Creek 2 Delaware     1.864
Ridley Creek 2 Delaware     3.107
Antietam Creek East Branch 4 Franklin     1.630
Antietam Creek West Branch 2 Franklin     4.287
Antietam Creek West Branch 3 Franklin     6.649
Buck Run 3 Franklin     1.988
Conococheague Creek 3 Franklin   13.049
Conococheague Creek 4 Franklin     5.903
Conocochge Creek West    Branch 2 Franklin   14.726
Conocochge Creek West    Branch 3 Franklin   15.037
Conodoguinet Creek 2 Franklin     7.270
Cove Creek Ltl. 2 Franklin     6.705
Dennis Creek 2 Franklin     2.858
Falling Spring Branch 5 Franklin     0.761
Rowe Run 2 Franklin     1.864
Blacklog Creek 2 Huntingdon Juniata   21.499
Tuscarora Creek 2 Huntingdon Juniata   16.528
Big Run 2 Juniata     2.051
Cocolamus Creek 3 Juniata     9.942
Delaware Creek 2 Juniata     4.660
Horning Run 2 Juniata     3.355
Horse Valley Run 2 Juniata Perry     6.276
Laurel Run 2 Juniata Perry     3.977
Licking Creek East 4 Juniata     5.344
Licking Creek East 5 Juniata     9.258
Lost Creek 3 Juniata     8.513
Beaver Creek Bg. 2 Lancaster     4.971
Beaver Creek Ltl. 2 Lancaster     4.381
Bowery Run 2 Lancaster     2.051
Chickies Creek Ltl. 2 Lancaster     3.418
Climbers Run 2 Lancaster     1.491
Cocalico Creek Ltl. 2 Lancaster     4.225
Conestoga Creek Ltl. 2 Lancaster     2.791
Conowingo Creek 2 Lancaster     8.078
Conoy Creek 2 Lancaster     2.610
Constg. Creek Ltl. West    Branch 2 Lancaster     1.939
Donegal Creek 2 Lancaster     2.361
Fishing Creek 2 Lancaster     7.891
Hammer Creek 4 Lancaster     2.548
Hammer Creek 6 Lancaster     3.852
Hammer Creek 2 Lancaster Lebanon     2.392
Indian Run 2 Lancaster     1.864
Meetinghouse Creek 2 Lancaster     2.237
Middle Creek 2 Lancaster     8.699
Muddy Run 2 Lancaster     2.672
Octoraro Creek West Branch 2 Lancaster     4.474
Octoraro Creek West Branch 4 Lancaster     1.118
Pequea Creek 2 Lancaster     4.412
Stewart Run 2 Lancaster     2.485
Swarr Run 2 Lancaster     2.485
Trout Run 2 Lancaster     0.746
Bachman Run 2 Lebanon     3.604
Conewago Creek 2 Lebanon     4.660
Indiantown Run 2 Lebanon     1.367
Quittapahilla Creek 3 Lebanon     2.858
Quittapahilla Creek 6 Lebanon     0.932
Quittapahilla Creek 8 Lebanon     5.717
Snitz Creek 2 Lebanon     4.225
Trout Run 2 Lebanon     3.107
Cedar Creek 3 Lehigh     1.243
Coplay Creek 2 Lehigh     5.592
Jordan Creek 2 Lehigh     9.507
Jordan Creek 4 Lehigh     6.835
Jordan Creek 6 Lehigh     5.530
Lehigh Canal 8 Lehigh Northampton     3.424
Lehigh Creek Ltl. 4 Lehigh     4.903
Lehigh Creek Ltl. 7 Lehigh     2.063
Lehigh Creek Ltl. 9 Lehigh     4.269
Monocacy Creek 9 Lehigh Northampton     2.113
Saucon Creek South Branch 2 Lehigh     1.553
Swabia Creek 2 Lehigh     5.282
Switzer Creek 2 Lehigh     3.480
Trout Creek Bg. 2 Lehigh     6.400
Licking Creek East 2 Mifflin     2.672
Kepner Creek 2 Montgomery     0.994
Mill Creek 2 Montgomery     2.485
Pennypack Creek 4 Montgomery Philadelphia     9.134
Skippack Creek 2 Montgomery     8.196
Stony Creek 2 Montgomery     3.293
Unami Creek 4 Montgomery     2.051
Unami Creek 5 Montgomery     1.740
Wissahickon Creek 2 Montgomery     2.983
Bushkill Creek 2 Northampton     8.699
Bushkill Creek 5 Northampton     1.740
Bushkill Creek 7 Northampton     2.920
Bushkill Creek Ltl. 2 Northampton     1.864
Bushkill Creek Ltl. 4 Northampton     3.418
Hokendauqua Creek 2 Northampton     8.016
Hokendauqua Creek 4 Northampton     3.231
Hokendauqua Creek 5 Northampton     1.988
Indian Creek 2 Northampton     5.282
Jacoby Creek 2 Northampton     2.237
Lehigh Canal 5 Northampton     3.790
Martins Creek 1 Northampton     4.735
Martins Creek 3 Northampton     2.703
Monocacy Creek 3 Northampton     2.423
Monocacy Creek 5 Northampton     2.361
Monocacy Creek 8 Northampton     0.994
Saucon Creek 4 Northampton     2.485
Bixler Run 2 Perry     4.225
Buffalo Creek 2 Perry   17.523
Buffalo Creek Ltl. 2 Perry     4.722
Buffalo Creek Ltl. 3 Perry     3.418
Bull Run 3 Perry     2.423
Fishing Creek 2 Perry     5.965
Fowler hollow Run 2 Perry     1.802
Juniata Creek Ltl. 2 Perry     9.445
McCabe Run 2 Perry     5.220
Montour Creek 2 Perry     3.728
Panther Creek 2 Perry     2.858
Raccoon Creek 2 Perry     8.202
Sherman Creek 2 Perry   14.602
Shultz Creek 2 Perry     3.977
Wissahickon Creek 4 Philadelphia     5.530
Bear Creek 2 Schuylkill     3.107
Beaver Creek 2 Schuylkill     1.616
Catawissa Creek Ltl. 2 Schuylkill     5.282
Cold Run 2 Schuylkill     2.175
Deep Creek 3 Schuylkill     9.445
Deep Creek 4 Schuylkill     7.208
Locust Creek 2 Schuylkill     6.524
Locust Creek 3 Schuylkill     0.684
Mahanoy Creek Ltl. 2 Schuylkill     3.852
Mahantango Creek 2 Schuylkill     5.269
Pine Creek 2 Schuylkill     2.423
Pine Creek 2 Schuylkill     7.214
Pine Creek 3 Schuylkill     9.258
Pine Creek 3 Schuylkill     3.293
Red Creek 2 Schuylkill     2.796
Schuylkill R. Ltl. 2 Schuylkill     3.355
Schuylkill R. Ltl. 7 Schuylkill Berks     1.118
Swatara Creek Ltl. Lower 2 Schuylkill     7.954
Swatara Creek Ltl. Upper 2 Schuylkill     6.214
Mahantango Creek West    Branch 2 Snyder Juniata     4.474
Bald Eagle Creek 2 York     2.485
Beaver Creek 2 York     2.858
Blymire hw Run 2 York     1.429
Codorus Creek 2 York     3.480
Codorus Creek East Branch 2 York     2.610
Codorus Creek East Branch 3 York     3.107
Codorus Creek South Branch 5 York     2.113
Deer Creek 2 York     2.672
Fishing Creek 2 York     5.592
Fishing Creek 2 York     4.225
Fishing Creek 3 York Lancaster     1.429
Leibs Creek 2 York     2.051
Muddy Creek 1 York     1.926
Muddy Creek 4 York     2.672
Muddy Creek North Branch 2 York     2.734
Muddy Creek North Branch 4 York     3.666
Muddy Creek South Branch 2 York     2.423
Otter Creek 2 York     5.592
Otter Creek 3 York     4.039
Sawmill Run 2 York     0.808
Total Sections 249 Total Miles 1147.874

Lakes proposed for inclusion in the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season Program
(18-County Option)

Water Name
County
Area (Acres)
Waynesboro RS Adams 22.97
Antietam Lake* Berks 13.59
Scotts Run Lake* Berks 22.48
Levittown Lake* Bucks 19.76
Lake Luxembourg* Bucks 165.98
Childrens Lake Cumberland 8.89
Doubling Gap Lake Cumberland 4.00
Fuller Lake Cumberland 1.73
Laurel Lake* Cumberland 24.95
Middletown RS Dauphin 11.11
Letterkenny RS Franklin 54.09
Muddy Run Rec. Lake* Lancaster 97.81
Lions Lake Lebanon 6.99
Marquette Lake Lebanon 15.07
Stovers Dam* Lebanon 25.93
Leaser Lake* Lehigh 117.08
Deep Creek Dam* Montgomery 24.95
Loch Alsh RS Montgomery 5.43
Minsi Lake* Northampton 122.02
Locust Lake Schuylkill 51.87
Neifert Creek F. C. RS Schuylkill 5.93
Pumping Station Dam Schuylkill 8.89
Rabbit Run RS Schuylkill 4.94
Whipoorwill Dam Schuylkill 5.19
Sheppard Myers Dam York 46.93

   * These lakes are currently managed under § 65.10.

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