Post by yihunt on Sept 18, 2009 10:58:14 GMT -4
Important Changes Made to Lake Erie Permit Program
Harrisburg, PA – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jane Earll (R-49, Erie County) and signed into law last month implements a number of important changes to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) Lake Erie fishing permit program, including allowing the Commission to fund fish habitat projects with proceeds from the sale of these permits.
“Lake Erie is a unique and valuable fishery that provides tremendous economic benefits not only to the northwestern region but the entire state,” said Sen. Earll. “The Lake Erie permit program has been vital to ensuring long-term public access to the lake and the watersheds of Lake Erie. I am very pleased that we were able to successfully pass this legislation.”
The newly-signed law provides that proceeds from the sale of the permit will continue to be deposited into a restricted account until Dec. 31, 2014, and extends their use to projects that protect or improve fish habitat. In the past, funds were restricted to projects that provide public fishing access.
“With this legislation, the Lake Erie permit program will now play an additional important role by providing funding to sustain and improve the natural resources that support an excellent fishery,” said PFBC Executive Director Douglas J. Austen. “Since the program was introduced, the Commission has secured public access to more than 10 miles of stream. Now we’ll be able to use some of that money for equally important fish habitat projects in the Lake Erie watershed.”
The new law, which takes effect Oct. 26, also extends the Lake Erie permit requirement to Conneaut Creek, Turkey Creek and their tributaries and allows the Commission to use proceeds for projects in and along those waters.
Anglers have been required since 2004 to purchase a Lake Erie permit to fish the lake, Presque Isle Bay and most tributaries. This permit is required in addition to a resident fishing license. Permits cost $9.70 each or $15.70 for a trout/salmon/Lake Erie combination permit. In 2008, the Commission sold approximately 19,000 Lake Erie permits and about 85,700 combination permits. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of each Lake Erie permit and $6 of the proceeds from the sale of each combination permit are deposited into a restricted account to be used only for the specified purposes.
Harrisburg, PA – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jane Earll (R-49, Erie County) and signed into law last month implements a number of important changes to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) Lake Erie fishing permit program, including allowing the Commission to fund fish habitat projects with proceeds from the sale of these permits.
“Lake Erie is a unique and valuable fishery that provides tremendous economic benefits not only to the northwestern region but the entire state,” said Sen. Earll. “The Lake Erie permit program has been vital to ensuring long-term public access to the lake and the watersheds of Lake Erie. I am very pleased that we were able to successfully pass this legislation.”
The newly-signed law provides that proceeds from the sale of the permit will continue to be deposited into a restricted account until Dec. 31, 2014, and extends their use to projects that protect or improve fish habitat. In the past, funds were restricted to projects that provide public fishing access.
“With this legislation, the Lake Erie permit program will now play an additional important role by providing funding to sustain and improve the natural resources that support an excellent fishery,” said PFBC Executive Director Douglas J. Austen. “Since the program was introduced, the Commission has secured public access to more than 10 miles of stream. Now we’ll be able to use some of that money for equally important fish habitat projects in the Lake Erie watershed.”
The new law, which takes effect Oct. 26, also extends the Lake Erie permit requirement to Conneaut Creek, Turkey Creek and their tributaries and allows the Commission to use proceeds for projects in and along those waters.
Anglers have been required since 2004 to purchase a Lake Erie permit to fish the lake, Presque Isle Bay and most tributaries. This permit is required in addition to a resident fishing license. Permits cost $9.70 each or $15.70 for a trout/salmon/Lake Erie combination permit. In 2008, the Commission sold approximately 19,000 Lake Erie permits and about 85,700 combination permits. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of each Lake Erie permit and $6 of the proceeds from the sale of each combination permit are deposited into a restricted account to be used only for the specified purposes.