Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2012 - 56

CURRENTS
Commission to Launch New Mentored Youth Pilot Program
At its quarterly business meeting on October 2, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) previewed a mentored youth pilot program it will launch next spring on the Saturday preceding the southeast regional opening day of trout season. It’s a program agency leaders believe will generate excitement with kids and their parents, ultimately drawing more participants to the sport and increasing license sales. “We know from research that children who fish typically learn from their parents or other family members,” said PFBC Executive Director John A. Arway. “Research also shows that the positive experience from a mentoring program creates a big influence on kids and their adult mentors, making it more likely that they will continue in the sport.” Under the program, kids under the age of 16 would register for the program and join a mentor angler, who must have a current fishing license and trout permit. They would then be able to fish on the Saturday before the southeast opener on select waters within the 18-county area. The waters will be stocked to ensure a plentiful supply of fish to catch for the youth day and the regular season to follow. Each person will be allowed to keep a combined species total of two fish. “Mentoring opportunities differ from educational programs in that they go beyond one instructional period,” said Laurel Anders, PFBC Director of Boating and Outreach. “Mentors talk to the kids as they plan the trip, show them how to fish during the day and follow up with them again when they day is over. Special youth opportunities engage both youth and their parents or other mentors.” The waters for the pilot program are still being reviewed. The regional trout season for southeastern counties was introduced in 2007 and opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2013. The 18 counties include: Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York. In other formal action, Commissioners: • Added 13 waters in Lycoming, Montour and Potter counties to the list of wild trout streams. The list can be found at www. fishandboat.com/rulemakings/notices/2012_07_10_wild.pdf • Finalized changes to regulations for boats carrying passengers for hire. Under the changes, vessels must undergo a dry dock examination by an accredited marine surveyor once every five years. Also, boats that have been involved in an accident or have been structurally modified will be required to undergo stability testing in order to determine passenger capacity. The changes go into effect January 1, 2013. • Approved a notice of proposed rulemaking to eliminate the Early Season Trout Stocked Waters Program, which was intended to offer additional trout fishing opportunities in March. Under the proposal, the 45 waters currently in the program will be designated as Approved Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing. The change will allow the PFBC to stock trout more efficiently and closer to opening day on streams that have been found to have trout residency problems. The change will also simplify trout fishing regulations by eliminating one special regulation program. • Approved new boating regulations aimed at the growing sport of wake surfing. The regulations define wake surfing; require a 200-feet slow, no wake zone; restrict wake surfing to inboard propelled boats only; and allow participants to wear a specifically designed wetsuit in lieu of the United States Coast Guard approved life jackets. • Established a Statewide Public Access Grant Program to help expand the number of public fishing and boating facilities in the state. The new program replaces the Boating Facility Grant Program. Counties, municipalities, watershed associations, land trusts and other partners will be eligible
PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat

Commissioner Lacy Remembered
Donald N. Lacy, 85, of Riverview Park, passed away, Wednesday, September 26, 2012. He was the husband of Lillian A. (Zillhardt) Lacy. Born July 30, 1927, he was the son of the late George W. and Beatrice (Hafer) Lacy. An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Lacy was appointed to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission in November 1992. He served as Chairman of the Commission’s Education and Information Committee and held terms as the Commission’s President and Vice President. Lacy served as President of the Berks County Chapter, Izaak Walter League and was Chairman of their Board of Director for four years. In 1963, he received the League’s highest award for “Outstanding Service in the Cause of Conservation.” Lacy was a member of the Berks County Federation of Sportsmen’s Club. He was past President and Secretary of the Southeast Division of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and served as Fish Committee Chairman for the State Federation. Lacy also served as an Associate Director of the Berks County Conservation District and was Director of the District’s Don Hartman Conservation Leadership School. In 1989, Lacy was honored as the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and he was presented with the “Take Pride in Pennsylvania” award for outstanding contributions to the stewardship of Pennsylvania public lands cultural resources. In 1999, Lacy was named Berks County Outdoors Sportsman of the year. Contributions may be made to: The Conservation Acquisition Partnership Program, c/o Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Bureau of Administration, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • November/December 2012

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http://www.fishandboat.com/rulemakings/notices/2012_07_10_wild.pdf http://www.fishandboat.com/rulemakings/notices/2012_07_10_wild.pdf

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2012

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