The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee this week officially released the results of its performance audit of the Fish and Boat Commission saying the agency was implementing the strategic plan it developed and made recommendations for some changes to law and procedures.

Among the recommendations were:

· Strengthening the strategic planning process by providing regular reports to the Commission Board;

· Amending the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act to provide better legal protection to landowners opening their land for recreation;

· Providing a special report to the House and Senate on its annual hatchery production/ trout purchase program and finalize a state hatchery production and cost tracking system;

· Working with the PA Emergency Management Agency to provide water and ice rescue training to emergency workers; and

· Authorizing the Commission to make license vouchers available through the automated licensing system.

The Committee’s report contains a wealth of information on the Fish and Boat Commission and its programs, funding and operation.

A copy of the report is available online.

The Committee is chaired by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny) and the co-chair is Sen. Gerald LaValle (D-Beaver).

5/16/2008