RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title 58—RECREATION
FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
[ 58 PA. CODE CHS. 71 AND 79 ]
Fishing; Reptiles and Amphibians
[48 Pa.B. 7640]
[Saturday, December 15, 2018]The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) amends Chapters 71 and 79 (relating to propagation and introduction of fish into Commonwealth waters; and reptiles and amphibians). The Commission is publishing this final-form rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code) (code).
A. Effective Date
This final-form rulemaking, will go into effect on January 1, 2019.
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.fish.state.pa.us.
C. Statutory Authority
The amendments to § 71.7 (relating to triploid grass carp) are published under the statutory authority of section 2102 of the code (relating to rules and regulations). The amendments to §§ 79.5—79.7 (relating to snapping turtle permits; venomous snake permits; and organized reptile and amphibian hunt permits) are published under the statutory authority of 2904 of the code (relating to permits for protection and management of particular fish).
D. Purpose and Background
The specific purpose and background of the amendments is described in more detail under the summary of changes.
E. Summary of Changes
The Commission adopted regulations in § 71.7 pertaining to the possession and introduction of triploid grass carp (white amur). To provide for proper protection and management of these fish and other fish in the waters of this Commonwealth. Section 71.7 provides that permits shall be required for possessing triploid grass carp, introducing them into Commonwealth waters and importing or transporting them into this Commonwealth. A pondowner, landowner or other person who wishes to possess triploid grass carp and introduce them into a pond or waters located on property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the person shall, before placing triploid grass carp in the waters, obtain from the Commission a triploid grass carp possession/introduction permit. A person who wishes to import triploid grass carp into this Commonwealth shall obtain from the Commission a triploid grass carp importation/transportation permit.
This Triploid Grass Carp Program (Program) was initiated by the Commission in January 1994. Two types of permits with associated fees were established. A triploid grass carp possession/introduction permit was $20. A triploid grass carp importation/transportation permit was $50. In 2012, the fee structure was reassessed and increased to offset inflation and increasing Program costs. A triploid grass carp possession/introduction permit was increased to $75. A triploid grass carp importation/transportation permit was increased to $75.
The Aquatic Resource Section within the Commission's Bureau of Fisheries, Division of Environmental Services, administers the Program. Administering the Program requires staff to review permit applications, maintain a database, process and approve the permits. Reviewing the applications requires a technical review, some field views and clerical support.
The Commission currently issues approximately 350 triploid grass carp permits per year. Staff proposes to increase the permit fees to offset increasing Program costs using the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) tool that is based on annual inflation rates since the fee structure was last updated in January 2012. The proposed permit fee changes adjusted with CPI inflation rate values since January 2012 for the triploid grass carp possession/introduction permit is proposed to be $85 and the triploid grass carp importation/transportation permit is proposed to be $85.
Similarly, several amphibian and reptile permits have increasing program cost demands, and a similar increase in the fee structure approach to offset inflation and increasing Program costs are proposed (for example, using the CPI inflation tool).
In January 2008, Chapter 79 was overhauled, reorganized and updated. A permit was developed for individuals interested in the commercial collection and sale of snapping turtles in § 79.5. The snapping turtle permit fee was established at $50 for residents of this Commonwealth and $100 for nonresidents. Under § 79.6, the venomous snake permit was updated to allow permit holders to hunt for both the copperhead and timber rattlesnake. The fee for the venomous snake permit was increased from $5 to $25 for residents of this Commonwealth, and $50 for nonresidents in January 2008. This Program has grown significantly. The past 2 years have experienced a record number of permits issued since the Program began in 1984. In 2017, 1,437 venomous snake permits were issued. For groups or organizations that want to conduct competitive organized hunts for reptiles and amphibians, an organized reptile and amphibian hunt permit may be obtained under § 79.7. There are currently only six permits issued per year, which mainly focus on the timber rattlesnake, where competitions for the largest and heaviest male snakes occur. One ''turtle derby'' organized hunt is also permitted annually. The organized reptile and amphibian hunt permit was updated in January 2008 from $25 to $100.
The Commission's Bureau of Law Enforcement (Bureau) issues the snapping turtle and venomous snake permits. Bureau staff review incoming applications and issue permits, answer questions from hunters about the application process and hunting regulations, and process permits and payments. A significant amount of time is spent on law enforcement details and permit compliance for the Venomous Snake Permit Program. The Natural Diversity Section of the Division of Environmental Services receives, reviews and databases hunter reports, and develops end-of-year summary reports for the programs. Natural Diversity Section staff also administer the Reptile and Amphibian Organized Hunt Program (review permit applications, issue permits and attend hunts for permit compliance purposes).
The Commission proposes to increase the permit fees for these three permit programs to offset increasing program costs using the CPI tool that is based on annual inflation rates since the fee structure was last updated in January 2008. The following table summarizes the last fees update and newly proposed fees for January 2019:
Chapter 79 Permit 2008
2019 (proposed) Snapping Turtle Permit—
Resident$50 $60 Snapping Turtle Permit—
Non Resident$100 $120 Venomous Snake—
Resident$25 $30 Venomous Snake—
Non Resident$50 $60 Organized Reptile and Amphibian Hunt $100 $120 The Commission therefore amends §§ 71.7 and 79.5—79.7 to read as set forth at 48 Pa.B. 5493 (September 1, 2018).
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 not have adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions. The amendments to § 71.7 will increase the triploid grass carp permit fee from $75 to $85. The amendments to § 79.5 will increase the snapping turtle permit from $50 to $60 for residents of this Commonwealth and from $100 to $120 for nonresidents. The amendment to § 79.6 will increase the venomous snake permit from $25 to $30 for residents of this Commonwealth and from $50 to $60 for nonresidents. The amendment to § 79.7 will increase the organized reptile and amphibian hunt permit fee from $100 to $120.
H. Public Comments
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 48 Pa.B. 5493. The Commission received no public comment.
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) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.
(2) A public comment period was provided, and no public 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 Chapters 71 and 79, are amended by amending §§ 71.7 and 79.5—79.7 to read as set forth at 48 Pa.B. 5493.
(B) The Executive Director will submit this order and 48 Pa.B. 5493 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 48 Pa.B. 5493 and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(D) This order shall take effect on January 1, 2019.
TIMOTHY D. SCHAEFFER,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48A-287 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulations.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 18-1930. Filed for public inspection December 14, 2018, 9:00 a.m.]
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