Habitat improvement, public access to streams and involving youth in fishing and boating activities were themes echoed by many presenters at the 2006 Keystone Coldwater Conference in State College last week.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Doug Austen, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission, said his agency has refocused its efforts on habitat restoration by elevating that function to be a full division within the Commission and adding six regional restoration staff.

Dr. Austen also chairs the National Fish Habitat Initiative that is designed to galvanize support for habitat restoration throughout the United States by not only natural resources agencies, but also private industry and foundations.

Noting a significant decrease in the number of youth aged 6 to 15 engaged in fishing, Dr. Austen reviewed steps the Commission is taking to attract youngsters back, including a proposal for a new junior fishing license with the proceeds dedicated to youth education activities.

Privatization of public fishing waters is a growing concern in Pennsylvania, but at the same time Dr. Austen noted private property owners need to be engaged as a partner to promote angling and anglers need to act responsibly when on private property.

A planned statewide study of stream access supported by the Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council will help the Commission identify areas where there are access problems and help prioritize access projects.

Cindy Dunn, Director of DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, gave an overview of the agency’s efforts to create a more sustainable Pennsylvania by promoting sustainable management of State Parks/Forests, promoting statewide land conservation, creating sustainable and attractive communities and doing more to connect people to the outdoors.

Dunn highlighted initiatives like PA Wilds, TreeVitalize, Get Outdoors PA and the Kittatinny Ridge Project.

3/3/2006