At is quarterly business meeting this week, the Fish and Boat Commission elected new officers, approved the acquisition of property in Erie County, added waters to the list of wild trout streams, endorsed legislation which would extend certain health benefits to waterways conservation officers, and provided the public with an update on the S.O.S. – Save Our Susquehanna! Campaign.

Through mid-July, concerned citizens have raised nearly $10,000 for the S.O.S. campaign, including a $1,000 donation from the Enola Sportsmen’s Association in Cumberland County.

“The ‘Save Our Susquehanna’ message is resonating with anglers, with sportsmen’s clubs and with others who care about the river,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “The time to act is now, before it’s too late. The Enola Sportsmen’s Association has acted, and I encourage sportsmen’s groups across the state to discuss the issue with their members.”

The PFBC launched its campaign to save the river on June 2 by announcing that a portion of license sales and proceeds from a $10 S.O.S. button would be dedicated to funding water and soil conservation projects along the Susquehanna River, whose young smallmouth bass population has been plagued over the last decade by illness and elevated mortality rates.

To kick off the campaign, the PFBC pledged $50,000 in matching funds.

“I’m optimistic that we will raise and exceed the $50,000 from anglers, other conservationists, and anyone who cares about our natural resources and supports our efforts to do everything in our power to protect and conserve them,” Arway said. “Once we raise $50,000, the S.O.S. - Save Our Susquehanna! campaign will have its first $100,000 to begin working on projects to fix the river.”

During the meeting, the Board elected Commissioner Edward Mascharka III as the new president and Commissioner Glade Squires as vice-president.

“As the eyes, ears and voice of our Pennsylvania anglers, I will engage in the critical decisions to be made by this agency,” said President Mascharka, who resides in Erie, Erie County, and represents the PFBC’s First District, which includes Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties.

“I will work with legislators and the governor to develop new and additional opportunities to secure funds for the future of the agency and its constituents,” he added. “I enjoy the resources of our Commonwealth and I pledge to uphold the ‘Resource First’ mission.”

Vice-President Squires resides in Downingtown, Chester County, and represents the PFBC’s Eighth District, which includes Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill counties.

In other Commission action today, the Board:

-- Approved the acquisition 1,720 linear feet on both sides of Elk Creek as it flows across a parcel of property in Fairview Township, Erie County, for $24,000. The easement area is located south of Route 832 between Route 98 and Platz Road. Elk Creek is a popular steelhead and trout fishery. However, access to the creek is severely limited. Elk Creek receives several trout stockings in this area, and the acquisition of the easement will provide additional trout and steelhead fishing opportunities.

-- Added 54 waters to the list of wild trout streams and adjusted the section limits of two waters. The list can be found on the PFBC website.

-- Added 28 stream sections to the list of Class A wild trout streams. The list can be found on the PFBC website.

-- Endorsed Senate Bill 889 (Baker-R-Luzerne), which would extend heart and lung benefits to WCOs.

The Commissioners previewed a new stocking program which will provide anglers with an exciting opportunity to fish for larger trout in eight select waters in 2016. Under the program, yet to be named, approximately 3,300 large trout - two to three years old and measuring between 14-20 inches - will be distributed among eight waters, one in each commissioner district.

“Similar programs initiated by several groups have proven very popular on other waters, such as Pine Creek in Lycoming County,” said Arway. “These programs have successfully demonstrated that destination fisheries can be created, drawing anglers from across the state and even the country and providing an economic boost to local communities.”

The eight waters will be publicly disclosed at the PFBC’s next quarterly business meeting, scheduled for September 28-29 in Erie.

For more information, visit the S.O.S. – Save Our Susquehanna! Campaign webpage.

NewsClips:

EPA Says PA Behind In Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

Flatwater Challenge Promotes Susquehanna River Beauty

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7/20/2015