Robert Small

The meeting included staff and volunteer recognition, including an Edward R. Murrow Award recipient and two employees graduating from a Leadership Development Institute. Key discussions involved approving the 2026 quarterly meeting dates, approving a Cooperative Nursery Grant to Salisbury-Elklick Hunting Club for stream habitat improvements, proposing rulemaking to amend regulations regarding an access area the Commission no longer owns, and approving multiple property acquisitions, including land adjacent to Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery and flowage/conservation easements at Beechwood Lake and Minsi Lake/Mt. Bethel Fens Preserve. Additionally, the Commission consented to the disposition of the Halifax Access property. Regulatory actions included adopting final rulemaking amendments for Mercer County, approving exemptions and amendments regarding trout stocking at Freeman Run, and adopting amendments concerning Donegal Lake. Designations included adding Donegal Lake to Big Bass and Panfish Enhancement programs, adjusting Kyle Lake regulations, removing Lake Luxembourg from the Year-Round Trout Fishing program due to an advisory, and removing a section of West Valley Creek from Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only regulations due to safety concerns from sinkholes. Finally, revisions were approved for section limits on Manada Creek and Muncy Creek, and changes were adopted concerning Class A wild trout streams and general wild trout streams listings.

The Boating Advisory Board meeting included a moment of silence in honor of former member William Carey Allen. Key discussion items covered the annual Motorboat Fuel Consumption Survey conducted by Southwick Associates, which is crucial for calculating the Oil Company Franchise Tax refund for boaters, amounting to approximately $12.3 million last year. An update on Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs) focused on new legislation effective January 2026, defining ADVs and providing removal authority, alongside a promising initiative with Duquesne University to explore private sector solutions, such as recycling fiberglass into concrete with Heidelberg Materials. Updates were provided on replacing old Zodiac rescue boats with more durable 12-foot Whaly boats for the training fleet. A review of year-to-date boating incidents for 2025 showed 25 reported incidents, 13 injuries, and nine fatalities. Discussions on boating grants included the Boating Facility Grant Program (BFGP) for 2026 funding, which requires a 50% match, and the federally funded Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program, which supports transient dock facilities and requires a 25% non-federal match. The board also noted future meeting dates.

The meeting addressed several key areas including executive and administrative matters such as the Threatened and Endangered Species Conservation Grant program, property services involving the disposition of property at Middle Creek Lake, a grant of easement along Spring Creek, and acquisition of property along Elk Creek. Additionally, law enforcement final rulemakings were discussed, focusing on amendments to special regulations applicable to Lake Erie tributary streams and insurance requirements. Boating final rulemakings covered amendments to electric motor regulations, while proposed rulemakings addressed Mercer County regulations. Fisheries discussions included final rulemakings on Class A wild trout streams and proposed rulemakings on miscellaneous special regulations for Freeman Run and Donegal Lake. Designations were made regarding the removal of Carsonia Lake from the Big Bass program and the addition of Leaser Lake to the Panfish Enhancement program.

The meeting included a presentation of Lifesaving Awards to Craig Stoudt Jr., Colton Stoudt, and Christian Stoudt for their rescue of two kayakers. There was discussion and a recommendation to the Commission regarding amendments to 58 Pa. Code § 111.43 concerning Lake Wilhelm in Mercer County. A request for a slow, no-wake zone at Lake Wallenpaupack was discussed, with a recommendation to address dock encroachment and buoy placement instead of implementing a special regulation. A similar request for a slow, no-wake zone in Pittsburgh was presented, with a recommendation for private marinas to apply for permits to place buoys. An update was shared on the Boating Safety Education Certificate (BSEC) transition, including a new process using Tyler Technologies. A legislative update was provided, covering Senate Bill 800, House Bill 992, Senate Bill 476, House Bill 1418, and House Bill 103. An overview of the Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs) Project was presented, including recommendations from Duquesne University students.

The meeting included awards and presentations, recognizing employees and others who help fulfill the mission of protecting, serving, and managing the Commonwealth's aquatic resources and providing recreational opportunities. The executive director presented a report on angular 3, focusing on attracting new customers and growing participation in fishing and boating. There were discussions regarding grants, property acquisitions, easement acquisitions, and interagency transfers of real property. The committee discussed increasing the subscription rate for the Pennsylvania Angler Boater magazine, license sales, boating licenses, and voting registration sales. Updates were provided on fishing license buttons and engineering concepts. Also covered were topics such as cutoff switches, US Coast Guard updates, state dashboard systems, Uber boats, and TV boat operations. Designations of proposed additions to clocks a wild trout stream, classification of wild trout streams, designation of San tanco river lake as a pant dish enhancement lake, and the removal of lake shiitake chili chocolate were discussed. The Juniata College presented on the little Ginny on a river route radial stocking study, and there was a discussion on pen script section five. Andy Shields presented on the Michigan State University lab study investigation on the role of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass mortality. The Timber Rattlesnake program, Limestone Run, Save Our Susquehanna program, and the proposed Nestle boggling project were also discussed.