Funding for the Future of Fishing & Boating

1. Funding for the Future of Fishing & Boating • The Fish & Boat Commission is faced with critically important funding issues. We NEED YOUR help!

2. Fishing and Boating – Economic Impacts and Quality of Life. . . • Anglers and boaters spend more than 40 million days fishing & boating in Pennsylvania each year.

3. Fishing and Boating – Economic Impacts and Quality of Life. . . • Fishing and boating provide wholesome outdoor recreation • Fishing and boating have big positive economic impacts

4. Fishing and Boating – Economic Impacts and Quality of Life. . . • Fishing & boating have an annual economic impact in Pennsylvania of more than $2 billion. • More than $53 million annually goes into the state's General Fund from sales & income taxes related to fishing and boating activities.

5. Funding for day-to-day programs & services… • Funding for fishing and boating depends on YOU! • License and registration fees are the PRIMARY source of revenue to fund programs & services.

6. Funding for day-to-day programs & services… The PFBC does not receive General Fund (tax) money to support fishing and boating programs.

7. Funding for day-to-day programs & services… • The money provided by anglers and boaters: • Stocks fish in Pennsylvania waters • Fuels our patrol boats • Pays for education programs • Supports habitat improvement • Protects, conserves and enhances aquatic resources, and • Much more

8. Funding for day-to-day programs & services… • Funding comes first! Enactment of legislation to sustain operating revenue is our Top Priority.

9. Funding for day-to-day programs & services… • The last time fees for fishing licenses were increased was in 1996. • The last increase for trout/salmon stamps and boat registrations was 1991.

10. House Bill 2155: • The fee package in HB 2155 is aconsensusproposaldeveloped by leaders of angling, boating, and sportsmen's groups working with key legislators and their staffs.

11. House Bill 2155: • IMPACTS IF ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS NOT OBTAINED: Cuts in trout stocking, fish management, boat launch construction and maintenance, and law enforcement will occur if the increase is not in place for the 2005 license year.

12. House Bill 2155:

13. Other States

14. Resident Fishing License/Trout Stamp: $22.50 (1 Year) Day at Amusement Park: $60 (snack/soda) Pro football game: $48 (admission) Rock Concert: $65 (admission) Night of Bowling: $27 (includes food/drink) Night at the movies: $35 (for four includes food/drink) Dinner for two at Olive Garden: $45 Visit to Steamtown: $20 Price Comparisons

15. House Bill 2155: • Fishing License Agent Fees Increase from 75¢ to $1 • Trout Stamp Agent Fees Increase from 50¢ to $1 • Other Stamp Agent Fees Set @ $1 • Total Cost for Resident Fishing License and Trout Stamp (with agent fees) goes from $22.50 to $30

16. House Bill 2155:

17. House Bill 2155: CALL TO ACTION: • Take action to express support for HB 2155 and much-needed funding for fishing and boating programs. • Call or write to urge legislators to support this bill. • The future of fishing and boating depends on YOU!

18. Adequate funding for fish & wildlife agencies is an issue of national importance: The March and April 2002 issues of Field & Stream highlight this issue.

20. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • State facilities that support fishing and boating need improvements because of changing environmental quality and safety standards, NOT because of overall deterioration.

21. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • A long-term investment of more than $100 million is NEEDED to clear the backlog of projects for state facilities operated by the PFBC

22. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • Governor Rendell has proposed Growing Greener II conservation bond fund initiative. • The Governor’s proposal for the Growing Greener II conservation bond initiative includes allocation of $50 million to the PFBC and the Game Commission to devote to state infrastructure under their control over the next four or five years.

23. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • The Governor’s proposal recognizes that Commonwealth funds – other than just angler and boater dollars – should be invested in state fish hatcheries, state dams and access areas. $50 MILLION for Fish & Wildlife!

24. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • Sportsmen also will benefit from the proposed $750 million investments in: • open space and habitat conservation, • abandoned mine lands reclamation, • remediation of acid mine drainage, • and non-point source pollution abatement.

25. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • When you add up the outdoor benefits: • Over half of the funds raised through the Growing Greener II bond initiative are going to be directed to investments that will help promote fish and wildlife conservation for decades to come.

26. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… IMPACTS IF ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS NOT OBTAINED: • State fish hatcheries, dams, access areas & other properties that require upgrades may have to close or reduce operations. The lack of funding threatens to affect not only fishing & boating but also the state's economy.

27. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… • NOW is the time for the state to renew its investment in hatcheries, dams and boat ramps that: • Provide positive economic impacts • And contribute to quality of life

28. Funding for State Hatcheries, Dams and Boat Ramps… CALL TO ACTION: • We need YOUR help. • Sportsmen should: • Be vocal in support of fish and wildlife funding as part of the Growing Greener II bond initiative. • Make sure that, as the new proposal moves ahead, money for state hatcheries, state dams and other fish and wildlife infrastructure continues to be included with no strings attached.

29. MERGER is not the answer to funding needs • In early 2003, the LBFC was tasked with a study whose core charge was to explore a “broad range of options with regard to how to structure our wildlife agencies to best manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.” • The final report focuses on only one model for restructuring our fish, wildlife & boating agencies; namely, the combining of the PFBC & PGC.

30. MERGER is not the answer to funding needs • The LBFC Report shows that merger WILL NOT eliminate the Commission's funding needs. • Increased funds for operation/infrastructure will still be required.

31. MERGER is not the answer to funding needs • The PFBC believes the report fails in critical areas: • Overestimation of potential savings. • Failure to adequately address tangible and intangible costs. • Willingness to sacrifice resource management and protection and customer service. • Lack of focus on boats and boating programs.

32. MERGER is not the answer to funding needs • Cost savings would come at the EXPENSE of resource protection, management and customer service. • Fish and wildlife resources will also suffer. • Boating programs may suffer, too. • The report fails to document how a combined agency will better manage the resource and provide boating opportunities.

33. FINALLY… • Although Pennsylvania remains the only state charging separate agencies with the protection of wild resources, keep this in mind: • Wyoming is the ONLY other state, which has a organizational structure incorporating all the functions proposed under HR 15

34. REMEMBER: • Nearly all the anglers, boaters and sportsmen's group leaders who testified at the public hearings on the merger proposal OPPOSED the creation of a single fish, wildlife and boating agency for Pennsylvania.

35. CALL TO ACTION: • In many respects, our programs are theenvy of the nation. Anglers & boaters deserve the best – not less. • Merger is not the answer to funding needs. • The PFBC and Pennsylvania sportsmen are on record in opposition. • Input from Sportsmen – anglers, boaters, hunters, trappers –will be critical.

36. Remember: RESOURCE FIRST!!

37. CREDITS This presentation adapted from one prepared by: WCO Mark T. Kerr WCO Brook Tolbert WCO Thomas Edwards In Conjunction with Gannon University Dr. Michael J. McSkimming Dr. Bryan Brendley

41. Consumption Advisories and You All Recreationally-Caught Sportfish in Pennsylvania are subject to a one-meal-per-week consumption advisory

42. Consumption Advisories • Consumption Advisories Cover • Mercury • EPA Nationwide Statement • PCBs • Other Contaminants • In addition to the blanket advisory, consumption advisories cover some specific waters and species

43. What Are Consumption Advisories? • Consumption Advisories provide information to help plan consumption of fish. They focus on: • Pregnant Women • Women of Childbearing Age • Children • Consumers of Large Numbers of Sportfish

44. Consumption Advisories • At least 11 other states use statewide consumption advisories • Great Lakes Consumption Advisory Protocols • Pennsylvania is only state to routinely test state hatchery fish and announce advisories under Great Lakes Protocols

45. PCBs in PFBC Hatchery Fish • PFBC hatchery trout are safe to catch, safe to handle and safe to eat in moderation under consumption advisory. • ALL hatchery trout stocked by the PFBC have levels of PCBs well under the FDA food safety standards for fish sold as foodstuffs. • 2 ppm of PCBs

46. PCBs in State Hatchery Trout For 2004: • Trout stocked from all eight Pennsylvania state trout hatcheries hatcheries are under the statewide blanket one-meal-per-week advisory. • Trout from Tellico Trout Farm and Allegheny National Fish Hatchery are under the same advisory. • Levels of PCBs in trout stocked in Pennsylvania waters were very low.

47. PCBs in PFBC Hatchery Trout

50. Overestimation of potential savings. • The report recommends significant staff reductions, by 71 positions. • Report identifies that $5 million will be saved annually. • There is NO indication of when, if ever, these savings will be realized.