RULES AND REGULATIONS
[58 PA. CODE CH. 147]
Special Permits
[30 Pa.B. 767] To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission), at its October 5, 1999, meeting, adopted the following changes:
Amend Chapter 147, Subchapter R (relating to deer control) to provide more relief to qualified farmers and expand opportunities for junior resident license holders.
These amendments are adopted under the authority of 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).
Amendment to Subchapter R
1. Introduction
To more effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Commission at its October 5, 1999, meeting, proposed, and at its January 11, 2000, meeting, finally adopted, changing Subchapter R to relax several requirements. The changes involve the authorization of twice the number of subpermits, the issuance of subpermits to residents under 18 years of age and to those who qualify for license and fee exemptions and reporting on a monthly rather than weekly basis. These changes were adopted under authority contained in section 2901(b) of the code (relating to regulations for permits).
2. Purpose and Authority
Regulations currently in place for the issuance of agricultural deer control permits authorize the issuance of a maximum of one subpermit for every 10 acres under cultivation (§ 147.553), prohibit issuance of subpermits to residents under 18 years of age (§ 147.554), do not provide for issuance of subpermits to individuals exempt from license and fee requirements and require weekly reports of activities conducted under the permits (§ 147.557). As a result of comments and input received from the agricultural community, the Commission decided to propose and finally adopt changes in the requirements as outlined.
Section 2901(b) of the code authorizes the Commission to promulgate regulations for the issuance of a permit. This provides the authority for the adopted changes.
3. Regulatory Requirements
The adopted changes relax existing requirements.
4. Persons Affected
Persons wishing to obtain an agricultural deer control permit and their subpermittees will be affected by the changes.
5. Comment and Response Summary
No official comments were received with regard to the adopted change.
6. Cost and Paperwork Requirement
The amendments will increase the number of subpermits that can be issued but will reduce the number of required reports.
7. Effective Date
These amendments will be effective on final publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will remain in effect until changed by the Commission.
8. Contact Person
For further information on the amendments contact William L. Hutson, Director, Bureau of Law Enforcement, (717) 783-6526, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.
Findings
The Commission finds that:
(1) Public notice of intention to adopt the administrative amendments adopted by this order has been given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.
(2) The adoption of the amendments of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of the authorizing statute.
The Commission, acting under authorizing statute, orders that:
(a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147, are amended by amending §§ 147.554 and 147.557 to read as set forth at 29 Pa.B. 6340, and by amending §§ 147.553 to read as set forth in Annex A.
(b) The Executive Director of the Commission shall submit this order, 29 Pa.B. 6340 and Annex A, and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(c) This order is effective upon final publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
VERNON R. ROSS,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48-115 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulations.
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART III. GAME COMMISSION
CHAPTER 147. SPECIAL PERMITS
Subchapter R. DEER CONTROL
AGRICULTURE § 147.553. Permit.
The deer control permit authorizes the permittee to enlist the aid of a limited number of subpermits. The maximum number of subpermits issued will be no more than one for every 5 acres of land that is under cultivation and enrolled in the Deer Damage Area Program unless the wildlife conservation officer recommends an increase in the number due to warranted circumstances.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 00-239. Filed for public inspection February 11, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
