PROPOSED RULEMAKING
[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 135 ]
Lands and Buildings; Special Wildlife Management Areas
[46 Pa.B. 2679]
[Saturday, May 28, 2016]To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission) proposed at its April 5, 2016, meeting to amend § 135.103 (relating to registration for controlled goose hunting areas) to permit the Director to designate 1 shooting day at the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas as a veterans with disabilities only day.
The proposed rulemaking will not have an adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.
The authority for the proposed rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).
The proposed rulemaking was made public at the April 5, 2016, meeting of the Commission. Comments can be sent until July 8, 2016, to the Director, Information and Education, Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.
1. Purpose and Authority
Last year, the Commission held a trial run of a veterans with disabilities hunt at the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area. The Commission determined that holding this 1-day hunt during the regular open season in the future will further improve these sportsmen's opportunity to hunt waterfowl at both of the Commission's special wildlife management areas. The Commission has received significant support and future commitment from organized sporting organizations and unaffiliated sportsmen volunteers to enhance the quality and success of this unique hunting opportunity. The Commission is proposing to amend § 135.103 to permit the Director to designate 1 shooting day at the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas as a veterans with disabilities only day.
Section 721(a) of the code (relating to control of property) provides ''[t]he administration of all lands or waters owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the commission shall be under the sole control of the director, and the commission shall promulgate regulations...for its use and protection as necessary to properly manage these lands or waters.'' The amendments to § 135.103 are proposed under this authority.
2. Regulatory Requirements
The proposed rulemaking will amend § 135.103 to permit the Director to designate 1 shooting day at the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas as a veterans with disabilities only day.
3. Persons Affected
Persons wishing to hunt waterfowl at the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas will be affected by the proposed rulemaking.
4. Cost and Paperwork Requirements
The proposed rulemaking should not result in additional cost or paperwork.
5. Effective Date
The proposed rulemaking will be effective upon final-form publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will remain in effect until changed by the Commission.
6. Contact Person
For further information regarding the proposed rulemaking, contact Thomas P. Grohol, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, (717) 783-6526.
R. MATTHEW HOUGH,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: 48-398. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART III. GAME COMMISSION
CHAPTER 135. LANDS AND BUILDINGS
Subchapter F. SPECIAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS § 135.103. Registration for controlled goose hunting areas.
The following apply to reservations for controlled goose hunting areas:
* * * * * (4) Selections of mailed application forms will be made by random drawing from all eligible applications submitted. The Director will establish, no later than 20 days prior to the drawing, the number of applications to be drawn.
* * * * * (iv) Youth only day. The Director may designate 1 shooting day at the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas as a youth-only day. Adults who accompany a junior hunter on this day may participate in the hunt by calling only. Applications received from junior hunters will be separated and drawn prior to the other applications on the established drawing date for the management area. Unsuccessful applicants for the youth shooting day will then be placed with all other applications and the drawing will proceed until all shooting days are filled.
(v) Veterans with disabilities only day. The Director may designate 1 shooting day at the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas as a veterans with disabilities only day. Only persons who possess a resident disabled veteran license or a reduced fee resident disabled veteran license are eligible to apply. Successful applicants may be accompanied by up to three properly licensed guests of any general or base hunting license classification. Applications received from veterans with disabilities will be separated and drawn prior to all other applications on the established drawing date for each wildlife management area.
(5) A reservation is not transferable. The person whose name appears on the reservation shall present the reservation in person at the wildlife management area registration center designated. A reservation shall entitle the applicant to bring not more than three guests with him. Guests shall be present and register.
* * * * *
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-907. Filed for public inspection May 27, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
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