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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 20-376

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Title 58—RECREATION

FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 69 ]

Fishing in Lake Erie and Boundary Lakes

[50 Pa.B. 1527]
[Saturday, March 14, 2020]

 The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) amends Chapter 69 (relating to fishing in Lake Erie and Boundary Lakes). The Commission is publishing this final-form rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code) (code). The amendments update the Commission's season dates for walleye fishing in Lake Erie, Lake Erie tributaries and Presque Isle Bay, including peninsula waters.

A. Effective Date

 This final-form rulemaking will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

B. Contact Person

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

C. Statutory Authority

 The amendments to § 69.12 (relating to seasons, sizes and creel limits—Lake Erie, Lake Erie tributaries and Presque Isle Bay including peninsula waters) are published under the statutory authority of section 2102(b) of the code (relating to rules and regulations).

D. Purpose and Background

 The specific purpose and background of the amendments are described in more detail under the summary of changes.

E. Summary of Changes

 Past Commission actions gave authority to the Executive Director to adjust harvest limits for walleye and yellow perch based upon adaptive management methods for Lake Erie, Lake Erie tributaries and Presque Isle Bay, including peninsula waters. These flexible management strategies serve to maintain consistency in angler catch rate given the vagaries of weather and other biotic and abiotic influences upon recruitment or production of young for these species. Following that approval, Commission staff identified a slight discrepancy in the start date of walleye season for Inland Waters and Lake Erie waters. In both cases, the start date occurs within one week of one another. To maintain regulatory consistency and simplicity, staff recommend the Lake Erie, Lake Erie tributaries, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular water walleye seasonal opening days be the same as that for Commonwealth Inland Waters. This small housekeeping change is expected to be unnoticed by anglers and have negligible impact upon fishing opportunity but will serve to simplify and make clear harvest rules applicable to walleyes across much of this Commonwealth.

 A notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 49 Pa.B. 7298 (December 14, 2019). The Commission did not receive any public comments regarding the proposal.

 The Commission amends § 69.12 to read as set forth at 49 Pa.B. 7298.

F. Paperwork

 This final-form rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will not create new paperwork requirements.

G. Fiscal Impact

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

H. Public Comments

 A notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 49 Pa.B. 7298. The Commission did not receive any comments regarding the proposal.

Findings

 The Commission finds that:

 (1) Public notice of intention to adopt the 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), known as the Commonwealth Documents Law, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2 (relating to notice of proposed rulemaking required; and adoption of regulations).

 (2) A public comment period was provided, and no comments were received.

 (3) The adoption of the amendments of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for administration and enforcement of the authorizing statutes.

Order

 The Commission, acting under the authorizing statutes, orders that:

 (a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 69, are amended by amending § 69.12 to read as set forth at 49 Pa.B. 7298.

 (b) The Executive Director will submit this order and 49 Pa.B. 7298 to the Office of Attorney General for approval as to legality and form as required by law.

 (c) The Executive Director shall certify this order and 49 Pa.B. 7298 and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.

 (d) This order shall take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

TIMOTHY D. SCHAEFFER, 
Executive Director

 Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48A-294 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 20-376. Filed for public inspection March 13, 2020, 9:00 a.m.]


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