The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and Senate Majority Policy Committee Friday held a hearing to examine Pennsylvania laws pertaining to endangered and threatened species.

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Adams) explained the purpose of the informational hearing was to receive testimony on the Threatened and Endangered Species legislation.

Senate Bill 1047 (Scarnati-R- Jefferson) was introduced by Sen. Scarnati last year and would establish the Endangered Species Coordination Act.

In November the House Game and Fisheries Committee amended and reported out House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) by a largely party-line vote.  The bill has been Tabled since November 13.

The House bill generated significant opposition from sportsmens and environmental groups across the state during two joint public hearings held by the Game and Fisheries and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees.

Friday’s Senate hearing, which took place at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, included testifiers from the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, PA Chamber of Business and Industry and the PA Builders Association.

“Our federal government has effectively protected threatened species for over 100 years,” Sen. Scarnati stated.  “However, currently in Pennsylvania our state agencies do not coordinate their efforts with federal rules and regulations.  Senate Bill 1047 takes an important step to create a greater level of accountability and transparency regarding the classification of endangered species in our Commonwealth.”

Senate Bill 1047 would also require the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission to submit proposed designations to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

IRRC already reviews regulations from every other state agency, including endangered species designations made by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and most stream designations made by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Sen. Scarnati noted that in addition, DCNR will be required to maintain a centralized database containing a list of all designated species and critical habitats within the Commonwealth.

“Testifiers at the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee hearing did a thorough job of explaining to the Committee how the Endangered Species bill would impact their agencies and businesses,” Sen. Alloway stated.  “Information presented will be closely reviewed and analyzed before a Committee vote is scheduled.”

“Taxpayers expect that state government operates in an efficient manner,” Sen. Scarnati stated.  “Our goal is that Pennsylvania maintains a universal standard of protection for our fish, wildlife and plants, without unduly harming our businesses and employers who provide family sustaining jobs in the Commonwealth.”

Sen. Alloway indicated he would be scheduling a second hearing on the issue in Harrisburg to give others an opportunity to testify.

NewsClips:

Protecting Species Must Be Balanced With Job Creation

Outdoor Groups Protest Bill On Endangered Species

Endangered Species Bill Divides PA Sportsmen

Sides Square Off On Species Protection In Legislature

1/13/2014