Sep. 27, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) issued the following statement in response to a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) plan to cut its budget by closing the Oswayo trout hatchery in Potter County:
“Once again, the PFBC, and particularly Executive Director John Arway, are playing politics and undermining their own mission to serve the state’s boaters and anglers. Director Arway hasn’t gotten his way, so he’s decided to threaten members of the General Assembly in an attempt to get votes on a bill that would give him and the commission free reign to hike license fees anytime they want without going to the Legislature for approval. Clearly this agency needs more legislative oversight, not less.
“I would like to know how Director Arway can keep a straight face when he says he needs to cut $2 million from his budget when the agency is sitting on more than $60 million in uncommitted reserve funds. That’s more than 100 percent of the agency’s annual budget, and it’s certainly more than enough to keep these vital hatcheries open while lawmakers, who are genuinely interested in ensuring quality fishing and boating opportunities for our residents, continue to engage in reasonable, cooperative negotiations rather than using scare tactics.
“I think it’s time for Director Arway and members of the commission to reconsider their approach to working with lawmakers and, more importantly, their approach to managing this organization. I am committed to working with the board of commissioners to address the long-range fiscal health of the agency, but it’s time for the commission to put the needs of our boaters and anglers first.”
Causer noted the commission voted 6-4 on Monday to give Arway the authority to make the budget cuts. According to the PFBC, closing the Oswayo hatchery alone would result in the elimination of 240,000 adult stocked trout in four lakes and 61 streams, including many in McKean, Potter, Cameron and Clinton counties.
“Of all the trout hatcheries in the state, Oswayo is the only one targeted for closure. This is just another example of how Harrisburg bureaucrats treat our rural communities like second-class citizens,” the lawmaker said.
PFBC previously threatened to close the Oswayo hatchery in 2013 but soon after reversed its decision. At that time, the Bellefonte hatchery had also been targeted for closure but remains open. This time around, in addition to the Oswayo hatchery, the agency has proposed closing the Union City hatchery in Erie County and Van Dyke Research Station in Juniata County, which would impact stocking of a variety of warm water species, including walleye, channel catfish, musky, northern pike and American shad.
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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