Fish And Boat Board Asks Doug Austen To Step Down As Executive Director

The Board of Commissioners of the Fish and Boat Commission asked Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen to step down from his position and reassigned him to a new position.

“Both the board of commissioners and Dr. Austen intend to make this transition happen in a seamless manner such that the activities of the agency will not suffer nor will our efforts to protect, conserve, and enhance the resources be in any way reduced,” said immediate past-president Len Lichvar. “Philosophical differences between a board and its chief executive officer frequently happen and this in no way reflects any performance issues on the part of Dr. Austen, as some newspapers have reported.”

Austen agreed that such a transition can happen in an orderly manner.

“I respect the board’s authority to find a new executive director when there are differences in philosophy and will assist in any way possible to ensure that the work of the commission proceeds without delay,” he stated.

Over the next several months the commission will initiate the process of hiring a new executive director.

“The Fish and Boat Commission has made great progress on many fronts under Dr. Austen’s leadership,” said Commission Vice President Bill Worobec. “The focus on habitat restoration, hiring new biologists to work on our great rivers, rebuilding our hatcheries, establishing an exceptional access program, and wonderful partnerships with other agencies and conservation organizations, all have been beneficial.”

Over approximately the next six months, Austen will continue to fulfill the role of executive director but will primarily focus his efforts of three key federal initiatives - the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act; reauthorization of the Sportfish and Boating Restoration Act (also known as the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux Act) which provides about 20-25% of the agency’s funding; and climate change legislation that will provide the states with funds to implement on-the-ground conservation actions to enable aquatic resources to be more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Deputy Director Brian Barner will continue to assist the executive director in day-to-day operations.

Dr. Austen joined the PFBC in January 2004 and came from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. During his tenure with the PFBC he has served as President of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, as leader of the workgroup that wrote the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and now as vice-chair of the National Fish Habitat Board.

He co-chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Outdoor Connections. Dr. Austen has been a frequent speaker at events by conservation organizations throughout Pennsylvania, has published numerous articles in scientific journals, co-authored two book chapters on fisheries management, and co-authored a National Research Council report on management of riparian lands.

Earlier this year, he hosted eight open house events and conservation leadership breakfasts throughout the Commonwealth to inform and engage the public in commission activities.