House Votes to Steal Land from Pennsylvania’s Sportsmen
The House today voted to steal federal Pittman-Robertson funds when it approved an amendment to take 391 acres of state Game Lands 141 and transfer it to Lehigh Gorge State Park, said Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks).
“This has been called a ‘land swap’ which gives some game land to the state park in return for giving the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) some lands elsewhere,” Maloney said. “This is a violation of the Pittman Robertson Act which requires any Pittman-Robertson funds to be spent on very specific things.”
The PGC is relying on a U.S Fish and Wildlife Service deputy directors’ hazy letter that states “our records are in agreement” in that these specific acres were purchased with other than Pittman-Robertson money.
“Have any studies been done, surveys taken or opinions gathered of the land’s stakeholders - in this case Pennsylvania hunters, Maloney asked.
“Yet, despite asking for proof since March, my office has received no proof that lands were not purchased with Pittman Robertson Funds. It seems to me that if they had slam-dunk proof we would have seen it by now. I am hopeful the Senate can address this ill-advised amendment.
“I am not certain how many folks understand that if Pennsylvania goes through with this, the penalties include permanently losing any Pittman-Robertson funds forever.”
See Maloney’s floor remarks here.
Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives