Attempts by sponsors to have a House vote this week on House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong), which would remove significant protections for threatened and endangered species during environmental permit reviews, suffered a setback this week as a nearly united coalition of sportsmen and environmental groups worked to oppose the bill.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA and many other groups opposed the bill because it would do nothing to address the real permit review issues of concern to many while significantly limiting protection for species.

“House Bill 1576 makes no actual changes to the current permit review process – instead, it places political hurdles in front of new species listings, and imposes unclear standards on listing determinations and data sharing. It also systematically drops hundreds of species of concern from the permit review process, irrespective of their status in the state, welcoming potential federal listings in the future,” said John Walliser, Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs for PEC.

But this issue isn’t over.  House Bill 1576 remains on the House voting schedule for next week. 

There is also a companion bill in the Senate-- Senate Bill 1047 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson)-- that same thing.  Sen. Rich Alloway (R-Adams), Majority Chair of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, indicated he was planning to have a second hearing on the Senate Bill, but it has not yet been scheduled.

NewsClips:

Editorial: Deceptive Bill Won’t Protect Endangered Species

Contract Arranged Game Commission Director’s Early Exit

$220K Payout Proposed To Avoid Lawsuit Against Game Commission

Attorney General Examines Deal With Game Commission Director

Corbett’s Office Takes Aim At Another Game Commission Official

Game Commission Official Moonlighting As Gas Leasing Advisor

Corbett Moves Against Game Commission Employee

Hunters Harvest 352,920 Deer

Visits From Doe Provides Close View Of Nature’s Fragility

Game Commission Enrolls 30th WCO Cadets

HBG Peregrine Falcons Eggs Expected

Hummingbird Migration Hits Florida With PA In Its Sights

Ned Smith Center Reschedules Susquehanna Waterfowl Watch

Swans A-Swimming In Northwest Lakes

Snow Geese Arrive En Masse At Middle Creek

3/17/2014