Commission Threatens To Close Local Fish Hatchery
A fight has begun in the state legislature that could significantly impact tourism revenue and quality-of-life for residents living in northcentral Pennsylvania.
Late last month, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced that its board had voted to reduce spending by $2 million in fiscal year 2018-19, unless the legislature approves an increase in the cost of fishing licenses.
Senate Bill 30, which would allow the PFBC to increase licensing fees, was passed in March by a 47-2 vote. The House has yet to vote on the bill.
PFBC voted to potentially shutter the facilities during their quarterly business meeting held in late September.
“The current plan for achieving the $2 million reduction in operating expenses would involve closing two warmwater hatcheries and one trout hatchery. The plan would reduce the number of stocked trout in 2019 by 7.5%, and would result in severe reductions to the PFBC’s cooperative nursing program,” according to a PFBC release.