The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced this week it is soliciting projects for a new Erie Access Improvement Grant Program. Proposals are due May 15.

In 2004 legislation created special Combination Trout/Salmon/Lake Erie stamps whose proceeds are deposited into a restricted account to be used to provide public fishing access on or at Lake Erie and in the Watershed of Lake Erie.

Grants can be used for site acquisition, easements, site design and engineering, development, expansion and major rehabilitation of sites to provide for enhanced fishing opportunities in the Pennsylvania portion of the Lake Erie watershed.

Partners will be required to keep the property open for public access in perpetuity. Activities must benefit and directly support recreational fishing. County and municipal government entities and conservation and sporting related, non-profit organizations or not-for-profit organization, are eligible for funding.

Successful applicants are strongly encouraged to provide matching funds and will be given priority funding consideration when they can provide at least a 50 percent match from another non-PFBC source.

For more information, visit the Erie Access Improvement Program webpage.

3/17/2006