PROPOSED RULEMAKING

FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 65 ]

Fishing; Special Fishing Regulations

[49 Pa.B. 5213]
[Saturday, September 7, 2019]

 The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) proposes to amend Chapter 65 (relating to special fishing regulations) to read as set forth in Annex A. The Commission is publishing this proposed rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code) (code). The proposed amendments update the Commission's list of waters subject to special fishing regulations.

A. Effective Date

 This proposed rulemaking, if approved on final-form rulemaking, will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

B. Contact Person

 For further information on this proposed rulemaking, contact Wayne Melnick, Esq., P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This proposed rulemaking is available on the Commission's web site at www.fishandboat.com.

C. Statutory Authority

 The proposed amendments to § 65.24 (relating to miscellaneous special regulations) are published under the statutory authority of section 2307 of the code (relating to waters limited to specific purposes).

D. Purpose and Background

 The specific purpose and background of the proposed amendments is described in more detail under the summary of proposal.

E. Summary of Proposal

 Minsi Lake, a 122-acre fertile impoundment owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the Commission, is located in Upper Mount Bethel Township in Northampton County, approximately 3.1 miles northeast of the Borough of Bangor. This reservoir was completely dewatered in June 2017 to complete dam and spillway repairs and modifications per Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. The earth-fill dam impounds the East Fork Martins Creek at river-mile 2.3 upstream from its confluence with the West Fork Martins Creek. Prior to the drawdown in 2017, the lake offered angling opportunities for multiple warm-water and cool-water fish species, as well as adult trout stocked by the Commission. Dam and spillway repairs are expected to be completed by early-winter 2019 with refilling initiated soon after.

 The Commission plans to initiate stocking the lake beginning in spring 2020 or as soon as refilling conditions allow with fingerling plants of select fish species to establish a high quality warm-water and cool-water fishery. Immediately upon refilling of the lake, staff propose to open the lake to fishing under a miscellaneous special regulation that will allow for the harvest of trout under Commonwealth Inland Waters angling regulations but allow only catch and release fishing for all other fish species. Commission staff believe that this approach will allow for the most rapid development of a balanced warm-water and cool-water fish community, while offering acceptable levels of recreational angling opportunities. Fisheries Management staff will monitor the fish populations as needed while they develop and make necessary modifications to the species stocked and recommend adjustments to the regulations governing fish harvest to the Board of Commissioners to continually provide high quality recreational angling opportunities at Minsi Lake. Once the warm-water fishery has been reestablished, the lake will be recommended for removal from the miscellaneous special regulation and inclusion in one of the Commission's existing warm-water regulation programs.

 The Commission proposes that § 65.24 be amended to read as set forth in Annex A.

F. Paperwork

 This proposed rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will not create new paperwork requirements.

G. Fiscal Impact

 This proposed rulemaking will have no adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions.

H. Public Comments

 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, objections or suggestions about this proposed rulemaking to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.

 Comments also may be submitted electronically by completing the form at www.fishandboat.com/regcomments. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt. Electronic comments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.

TIMOTHY D. SCHAEFFER, 
Executive Director

 Fiscal Note: 48A-292. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 58. RECREATION

PART II. FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION

Subpart B. FISHING

CHAPTER 65. SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS

§ 65.24. Miscellaneous Special Regulations.

 The following waters are subject to the following miscellaneous special regulations:

County	Name of Water	Special Regulations
*  *  *  *  *
Monroe and Pike	Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area	The use of eel chutes, eelpots and fyke nets is prohibited. The taking of the following fishbait is prohibited: crayfish or crabs, mussels, clams and the nymphs, larva and pupae of all insects spending any part of their life cycle in the water. The taking, catching, killing and possession of any species of amphibians or reptiles within the boundaries of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is prohibited.
Northampton	Minsi Lake	All species except trout—catch and release/no harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish except trout. All fish caught other than trout must be immediately returned unharmed. Trout—inland regulations apply. See § 61.1. This miscellaneous special regulation will remain in effect until further notice.
Somerset, Fayette, Westmoreland and Allegheny	Youghiogheny River from confluence with Casselman River downstream to the confluence with Ramcat Run Youghiogheny River from the pipeline crossing at the confluence with Lick Run downstream to the mouth of the river.	Trout (all species)—no closed season. Daily limit: First Saturday after April 11 until Labor Day—5 trout per day; day after Labor Day to first Saturday after April 11 of the following year—3 trout per day. Inland regulations apply to warmwater/coolwater species.
*  *  *  *  *

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 19-1362. Filed for public inspection September 6, 2019, 9:00 a.m.]

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