Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021 - 4

Process
Improvements
by Timothy D. Schaeffer
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
On June 25, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was
proud to welcome six new Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs)
to our ranks. Every time we welcome a new staff member in any part
of the agency, it is an exciting day-for both the individual and the
entire organization.
The event was held at our Centre Region Office (CRO) in
Bellefonte, just a short drive from the H.R. Stackhouse School of
Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety along Spring Creek,
where the new WCOs spent the previous 6 months learning and
honing the skills needed to be ready to assume their duties in
districts across Pennsylvania.
What made the day extra special was that the Commissioners
and several of the staff in attendance remained at the CRO for the
afternoon following the graduation ceremony to participate in the
first in-person committee meeting of our Board of Commissioners in
over a year since the onset of COVID-19 restrictions.
If you have been following how the Board has done business since
March 2020, you will know that our quarterly Commission meetings
and related committee meetings were held remotely using Webex
with Facebook livestream options for interested individuals. The
meetings were all conducted in compliance with public notice and
participation requirements, including the ability for people to submit
comments ahead of time, even though they could not be in the
room. We were able to achieve a lot under the entirely virtual format,
and our staff and Commissioners did an incredible job of utilizing
technology to the most efficient extent possible.
However, only meeting remotely without the intangible benefits of
being face-to-face was not the same.
Which is why we were thrilled that the June committee meeting
was followed one month later on July 26 by the first in-person
quarterly meeting of the full Board of Commissioners at our
Harrisburg headquarters since January 2020. It was great to be able to
be with everyone again and to do Pennsylvania's anglers' and boaters'
business together in one room.
Looking back at the calendar, it came to mind that fully half of
the Board of Commissioners meetings I have had the privilege to
participate in while in this job were conducted remotely. That is hard
to believe, but then again, a lot of what we all went through together
in the past 18 months was unbelievable. Here's to hopefully tipping
the scales in favor of in-person quarterly meetings this October!
We are grateful to be back in person, but it is significant to
acknowledge that the limitations of the past year and a half did result
4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2021
On July 26, 2021, the first in-person quarterly meeting of the Board of
Commissioners since January 2020 was held at the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission's Harrisburg headquarters.
in several process improvements that will enhance the way we
interact with our customers and other stakeholders, even as the
Board resumes in-person meetings. Two of these improvements
are particularly notable.
One feature we added to our website in November 2020 is a
Regulatory Tracker. The goal of this tool is to provide a " one-stopshop "
for those looking to view the status of Commission
regulations and to increase public participation in the regulatory
process. Although notices and regulations are published in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin, it can be time-consuming and tricky to
navigate for those who are unfamiliar with the publication.
The Regulatory Tracker explains the Commission's
rulemaking process; provides links to the Bulletin, existing
fishing and boating regulations, meeting minutes and
agendas, and other helpful resources; contains a link to
submit comments on proposed rulemakings; lists all pending
rulemakings; and has a handy thermometer graphic that
quickly identifies where the proposed regulation is in the
regulatory process. To make it even more accessible and
transparent, we now notify the availability of public comment
periods on social media.
As far as meeting frequency, the Board expects to continue
conducting more committee meetings throughout the year
in between the quarterly business sessions that typically
occur in January, April, July, and October. In the past, we
would occasionally have committee meetings off cycle, but
the tradition had been to largely restrict meetings to when the
Board met in person four times a year. By convening more
between the quarterly Commission meetings, we will be able
to keep the Board and public better informed, move business
throughout the year, and maximize the efficiency of the
quarterly meetings.
As summer draws to a close, please remember that fall
fishing and boating opportunities abound in Pennsylvania.
Even though you may be able to return to the football stands
or your favorite fall festival, please consider hitting the water
before the days get too short to experience the year-round
fun and relaxation that Pennsylvania's streams, rivers, and
lakes have to offer. A ticket only gets you into one game
or event, but your fishing license is good all year long and
supports conservation, regardless of the season.
Have fun, be safe, and remember to always wear a life jacket.
www.fishandboat.com
photo-Andrea Feeney
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021

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