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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 15-1001

RULES AND REGULATIONS

GAME COMMISSION

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 139 ]

Seasons and Bag Limits; Wildlife Management Units

[45 Pa.B. 2603]
[Saturday, May 30, 2015]

 To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission), at its April 10, 2015, meeting, adopted amendments to § 139.17 (relating to wildlife management units) to expand Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 5D north and west into WMU 5C to cover more developed urban areas.

 The final-form rulemaking will not have an adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

 The authority for the final-form rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).

 Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 45 Pa.B. 1381 (March 21, 2015).

1. Purpose and Authority

 A uniform system of WMUs was implemented in 2003 to replace the system of multiple, species-specific management units. The primary objective of this new WMU system was to develop and implement wildlife management decisions on a system of more homogenous units based on physiographic, land cover and use, human population density and land ownership. WMU boundaries were defined using readily recognizable features on the landscape rather than hard to identify political boundaries. In 2008, the Commission conducted a 5-year evaluation of the structure of the WMU system which resulted in the development and implementation of four WMU map revisions. The Commission has again conducted an evaluation of the structure of the WMU system and amends § 139.17 to expand WMU 5D north and west into WMU 5C to cover more developed urban areas.

 Section 322(c)(4) of the code (relating to powers and duties of commission) specifically authorizes the Commission to ''[d]efine geographic limitations or restrictions.'' Section 2102(a) of the code (relating to regulations) provides that ''[t]he 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 amendments to § 139.17 are adopted under this authority.

2. Regulatory Requirements

 The final-form rulemaking amends § 139.17 to expand WMU 5D north and west into WMU 5C to cover more developed urban areas.

3. Persons Affected

 Persons wishing to hunt or trap game and wildlife in WMUs 5C and 5D may be affected by the final-form rulemaking.

4. Comment and Response Summary

 There were no official comments received regarding the 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 Thomas P. Grohol, 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 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 thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.

 (2) The adoption of the amendments 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 the authorizing statute, orders that:

 (a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 139, are amended by amending § 139.17 to read as set forth at 45 Pa.B. 1381.

 (b) The Executive Director of the Commission shall certify this order and 45 Pa.B. 1381 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.

R. MATTHEW HOUGH, 
Executive Director

 Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48-376 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-1001. Filed for public inspection May 29, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]


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