Anglers asked to pitch in to raise revenue
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The state Legislature still wants to know why the userfunded Fish and Boat Commission, a $52 million state agency with a fluctuating cash reserve of $45 million to $60 million, needs a licence fee increase. Fish and Boat is sticking with its story that expenses have been trimmed to the bone, and its one-year reserve of operating expenses and discretionary resources is stockpiled to weather an unforeseen environmental catastrophe.
Last week Commissioners acted on a slate of revenue-enhancing options that do not require legislative approval and could, in theory, save the agency just over $1 million in its 2018-19 budget. The money-making ideas include a new permit for nonangling use of Fish and Boat property, sale of the formerly free Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws booklet and the introduction of several voluntary permits, Executive director John Arway said the new money won’t meet the $2 million revenue-enhancement goal imposed by Commissioners and might be a tough sell to some license holders, but it’s a difficult step in the right direction.
“The Commissioners said we’ll have to cut some services if we can’t get a license fee increase,” he said. “Is this better than that? We think it is.”
Purchase of the new permits will not be mandatory. Arway said he hopes anglers will buy voluntary permits earmarked to fund the types of fishing they enjoy. They will include a habitat conservation improvement permit, a wild trout and enhanced waters permit and separate bass and muskie permits, each likely to cost $5 to $10.
“This is a big experiment. We don’t know what will happen,” Arway said. “But all of this costs money. Assessing unassessed waters, habitat improvement. … It’s $1 million to grow and stock muskies per year. We’re hoping anglers recognize that now is the time to step up and contribute.”
The only mandatory revenue enhancements in the pipeline are sale of the Fishing Summary rule book and use permits for anyone without a fishing license who uses Fish and Boat property — hikers, dog walkers and picnickers will be affected.
The Board also approved increases in mooring slip fees at Walnut Creek Marina. Beginning in 2019, slip THIS WEEK: Would you spend $5 to $10 for a voluntary permit to help the Fish and Boat Commission avoid cutting services? Yes • No • LAST WEEK: Are you willing to spend more in taxes if the money went to programs that conserve rivers, streams and wetlands? rates for boats 23 feet in length and less will increase to $775 annually, and slip rates for boats longer than 23 feet will be $1,050. Additionally, Arway told Commissioners he plans to increase the fee for Commission-issued launch permits, beginning Jan. 1, 2019.
Sevenmile access
Steelhead anglers will have permanent permission to fish on the eastern bank of Sevenmile Creek, near North East in Erie County. Commissioners authorized the spending of $105,000 for the easement, generated from the sale of Lake Erie permits.
North Park fishing primer
As part of North Park’s Great Outdoors Day, Fish and Boat staff and volunteers will waive license requirements from noon-4 p.m. Sunday. They will also provide fishing gear and bait, and provide assistance at the Rochester Shelter.