RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title 58--RECREATION
GAME COMMISSION
[58 PA. CODE CH. 135]
Lands and Buildings
[36 Pa.B. 7248]
[Saturday, December 2, 2006]To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission), at its October 3, 2006, meeting, adopted an amendment to § 135.107 (relating to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area).
The final-form rulemaking will have no adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.
The authority for the final rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 36 Pa.B. 3275 (July 1, 2006).
1. Purpose and Authority
Since September goose hunting was initiated, the resident Canada goose population on and in the vicinity of the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area has declined dramatically. As added evidence of the population decline, hunter success rates in the controlled area at Middle Creek have dropped from 57% in 1996 to 16% in 2005. The Commission believes that it is absolutely necessary to reduce the harvest of resident geese at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to sustain and recover Canada goose populations in the area and preserve the quality of the waterfowl hunting experience in the controlled management area.
An interdisciplinary group met and recommended several administrative and regulatory changes to reduce goose harvests and improve hunting on the controlled area at Middle Creek. Enhanced hunter education and changes in the management of hunting blinds on the area will be part of the changes implemented for the 2006 season. Also recommended was a reduction from 4 to 3 days in the number of waterfowl shooting days at Middle Creek, eliminating Mondays. Therefore, the Commission has amended § 135.107 to redress evidence of dramatic Canada goose population declines on and in the vicinity of the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area by reducing the number of waterfowl shooting days at Middle Creek from 4 to 3 days by eliminating Monday hunts.
Section 721(a) of the code (relating to control of property) provides ''The administration of all lands and 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.'' Section 2102(a) of the code (relating to regulations) provides that ''The commission shall promulgate such regulations as it deems necessary and appropriate concerning game or wildlife and hunting or furtaking in this Commonwealth, including regulations relating to the protection, preservation and management of game or wildlife and game or wildlife habitat, permitting or prohibiting hunting or furtaking, the ways, manner, methods and means of hunting or furtaking, and the health and safety of persons who hunt or take wildlife or may be in the vicinity of persons who hunt or take game or wildlife in this Commonwealth.'' The amendment to § 135.107 was adopted under this authority.
2. Regulatory Requirements
This final-form rulemaking amends § 135.107 to redress evidence of dramatic Canada goose population declines on and in the vicinity of the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area by reducing the number of waterfowl shooting days at Middle Creek from 4 to 3 days by eliminating Monday hunts.
3. Persons Affected
Persons wishing to hunt waterfowl at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on Mondays will be affected by this final-form rulemaking.
4. Comment and Response Summary
There were no official comments received regarding this final-form rulemaking.
5. Cost and Paperwork Requirements
The final-form rulemaking should not result in additional cost or paperwork.
6. Effective Date
The final-form rulemaking will be effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will remain in effect until changed by the Commission.
7. Contact Person
For further information regarding the final-form rulemaking, contact Richard A. Palmer, Acting Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, (717) 783-6526.
Findings
The Commission finds that:
(1) Public notice of intention to adopt the administrative amendment 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 amendment of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of the authorizing statute.
Order
The Commission, acting under authorizing statute, orders that:
(a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 135, are amended by amending § 135.107 to read as set forth at 36 Pa.B. 3275.
(b) The Executive Director of the Commission shall certify this order and 36 Pa.B. 3275 and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(c) This order shall become effective upon final-form publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
CARL G. ROE,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48-233 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-2340. Filed for public inspection December 1, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]
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