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 DirectorFiscal 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.
[Continued on next Web Page]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
