Dr. Douglas Austen

Dr. Douglas Austen, Executive Director of the Fish & Boat Commission, gave a presentation to the House Game and Fisheries Committee this week on the Commission’s activities in 2004.

Dr. Austen thanked the General Assembly for legislation increasing fees for the Commission that he said brought in much-needed revenue. He went on to outline some of the Commission’s major accomplishments for the year--

Dam removal and fish passage:12 dam removals were facilitated during 2004 and 50 more are currently in the works opening up more stream reaches for fish habitat.

PA water trail program: a program where each new water trail is a collaborative effort of many partners, local and statewide. The projects identify access points, points of interest and other useful information for the public.

Rollout of the $2 million Boating Infrastructure Program: the program includes a boating access grant program and will expand internal capacity to maintain and improve existing facilities.

State Wildlife Grant Program: the program receives funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enable the completion of critically important work on non-game species that are of conservation concern. Ongoing projects include work on bog turtles, paddlefish, massasuaga, rattlesnake and sturgeon.

Water rescue training: the importance of water rescue training was highlighted by the flooding that followed after Hurricane Ivan passed through the state. The program is funded from fishing license and boat registration fees, yet the program is important to the entire Commonwealth. The Commission is asking that the State share the burden in funding the program.

Completed strategic planning process: the Commission is on the verge of publishing a new strategic plan that will set the course for the upcoming years.

Dr. Austen then explained several challenges faced by the Commission this year, including:

Infrastructure: operational funding issues were addressed with the increases authorized by House Bill 2155, but now infrastructure needs to be addressed. Currently the Commission has a backlog of $153 million in infrastructure needs--$85 million in hatchery needs, $56 million for dams, and $10 million for access areas.

Customer base: License sales in 2004 increased 2 percent but the Commission projects an 8-11 percent decrease in license sales due to the increase in license fees. As the Commission looks to the future, it will work to enhance marketing and promotions with a newly hired marketing staff. Additionally, efforts to target known successful programs will be enhanced to draw in new anglers.

Retirements: in the next four years, 25 percent of the Commission's staff will be eligible for retirement. This will create opportunities for younger staff and a leadership vacuum that the Commission will address as an immediate concern. The Commission will develop a more comprehensive internal training program and redefine skills needed to be effective in positions.

River Biology: The Commission is working with a variety of partner groups to develop the Three Rivers Ecological Research Center, which would be a focal point for a variety of interests in the ecology and management of the rivers of western Pennsylvania.

Lake Erie: Development of the Lake Erie stamp to effectively and efficiently invest proceeds in the fishing and boating opportunities of Lake Erie and its watershed. Currently the Commission is developing the guidelines for a citizen advisory committee that will provide advice and ideas for the plans as well as act as emissaries for the plan. An internal staff team will be given the task of guiding the effort and making decisions regarding expenditures.

For a copy of Dr. Austen’s testimony, go to the 2004 Annual Report webpage.

2/11/2005