The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is putting trout into many lakes and streams across the state this week as part of its pre-season stocking activities.
In Berks County, volunteers helped stock Brown, Rainbow, and golden Rainbow Trout in different parts of Mill Creek, including near the Kutztown Rod and Gun Club.
This year, the PFBC will stock about 3.2 million trout across the state to get ready for Mentored Youth Trout Day on March 30, and Opening Day of Trout Season on April 6.
For information on buying a fishing license, finding trout stocking schedules, and reviewing fishing regulations, go to fishandboat.com.
Derek Norman, Waterways Conservation Officer, shared his thoughts on the trout stocking:
“The Commission stocks about 3.2 million trout across the Commonwealth.
“Essentially, we create the stocking schedule. People can check online at the Fish and Boat Commission’s website for the most current stocking lists. They come out. We, as officers, direct traffic and make sure that everyone stays safe while we’re out here stocking trout. The public comes out, and it's a great way to reach out to the public.
“So, Mentored Youth Day is a great chance for anyone with young kids to get out before the crowds on March 30 and fish for trout. Then, of course, the regular opening day statewide is on April 6 for everyone else.
“A stream like Mill Creek, which has little or no natural trout reproduction, wouldn’t be able to handle the number of anglers after opening day without stocking. So, stocking these trout in a stream like this gives anglers a much better opportunity across the Commonwealth.”
Mike Lesher, a volunteer from Topton and Kutztown Rod & Gun Club, added, “It’s a tradition. Every year we go and help with the stocking. You know, that’s our thing. We’ve been doing this for years. We used to take time off from work, we used to make all sorts of arrangements just so we could go stocking.
“Well, they put a lot of big Rainbow Trout and a lot of big palomino (also known as golden Rainbow Trout), more than we’ve ever seen put in this creek. It’s really exciting, you know.
“And the kids will have their first chance, and I hope these little ones can catch some of these big fish. You know, that’s basically why I do it. Every child that you get into fishing will eventually buy a license, you know. It keeps the sport going.”
Pa. Game Commission
to host Open Houses
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is inviting the public to attend one or more of the upcoming open houses, the first of which is just a couple weeks away.
All three of these two-hour events, during which the public can interact with Game Commission staff and have questions answered, will be held at Game Commission Region Offices.
The first open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the South-central Region Office, 8627 William Penn Hwy, Huntingdon.
The public can visit the North-central Region Office, located at 1566 South Route 44 Highway, Jersey Shore, PA 17740-5038, on Tuesday, April 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an open house event.
The Southwest Region Office, at 4820 Route 711, Bolivar, will hold an open house on Tuesday, April 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Open houses offer a chance for people to talk directly with Game Commission staff about hunting and trapping issues, as well as topics like law enforcement, wildlife disease, monitoring wildlife populations, pheasant stocking, habitat work, forestry practices, and upcoming educational and outreach events.
Attendees can drop by anytime during the two-hour period, as no formal presentations are scheduled.
Bryan Burhans, the Executive Director of the Game Commission, encourages hunters, trappers, and wildlife enthusiasts to participate.
Bryan Burhans mentioned that many individuals have queries about wildlife, hunting, or Game Commission projects, and attending a Game Commission open house is a great way to get answers. The staff is always willing to help, and they often benefit from these interactions as much as the public does. They look forward to seeing attendees there.
Upcoming March/April activities
at Frances Slocum State Park
Kathy Kelchner, Environmental Education Specialist/Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, announced upcoming event to be held at Frances Slocum State Park:
• Eclipse Awareness
Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.
Solano Education Building
On April 8, parts of North America will experience a total solar eclipse. Join us to learn the history of eclipses, what an eclipse is, viewing safety, and what parts of Pennsylvania will be in the path of totality.
• Signs of Spring Walk
Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Intersection of Green Rd. and Mt. Olivet
Let’s take a walk toward the swamp and see what plants and animals are ready for spring.
• Froggy Fun for Little Ones
Saturday, April 13, 1 p.m.
Solano Education Building
For ages 3-5
Little ones and their adults can learn about frogs during this interactive program.
• Clean Up Day at Frances Slocum
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-noon
Volunteers are needed to help with Earth Day clean up at Frances Slocum State Park.
Possible projects may include litter pick up, leaf/mulch raking, or removing sticks and debris from trails and mowing areas.
Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. for your assignment. Organized groups are asked to call a week in advance.
DEP reports progress on implementing
permitting reform, reduces permit backlog
The Shapiro Administration’s efforts to enhance and improve permitting are showing early success as the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) improves online permitting, online payment, and delivers on-time permit decisions.
DEP has successfully implemented the PAyback program, the Shapiro Administration’s online money-back guarantee system and begun making significant progress in reducing backlogs and speeding up processing timelines.
Through the PAyback program, led by the Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO) and the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA), application fees are returned to applicants upon request if agencies don’t take action on applications submitted on or after Nov. 1, 2023 within set review timeframes.
So far, DEP has not had to give back any application fees.
DEP has promised to deal with the pile of permits that were late before PAyback, and has seen a big decrease in the number of overdue permits.
DEP has employed 15 new staff members focused on handling permits, because of investments from the 2023-24 budget signed into law by Gov. Shapiro, and has used some staff working extra hours when necessary to deal with the backlog.
Since hiring the extra staff and organizing and reviewing DEP’s nearly 800 available types of permits, DEP has reduced the backlog of permits by almost 900 individual permits — or 41% — as of March 1, 2024.
“Permit modernization is key in creating a strong customer service model and offering assistance to all stakeholders through the permitting process,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary, Jessica Shirley. “As we continue to make updates and improvements, DEP will enhance the user experience and the application and review process. At the same time, DEP will keep protecting human health and the environment and ensuring compliance with Pennsylvania’s environmental laws and regulations.”
DEP has also simplified the process for businesses to upload documents and payments for permit applications electronically. Applicants can now use DEP’s Public Upload, a new service which allows individuals, small businesses, and corporations to electronically upload documents and payments.
DEP’s Public Upload system was put in place in December 2023, and since then, more than 7,100 documents have been submitted, collecting more than $600,000 in revenue. Electronic submissions are the most efficient way to submit documents, providing for the fastest review timeframes for authorization, and enhanced security.
“Gov. Shapiro has made it clear that Commonwealth agencies need to streamline permitting and improve their customer experience to show that Pennsylvania is open for business,” said Chief Transformation Officer Ben Kirshner. “DEP is leading the way by changing how it does business, reducing its backlog and improving how it interacts with permit-seekers, while continuing to vigilantly protect our environment.”
Other initiatives happening at DEP as part of permit modernization include:
• Finalizing a pilot program to assess new procedures that will improve the quality of submissions and review efficiency of Chapter 102 Individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit applications. This pilot program is expected to reduce the review timeframe by 73 business days and improve the quality of applications received.
• Creating a quarterly Agriculture Permitting Stakeholder Roundtable to engage farmers, conservation district managers, owners, operators, producers, and consultants to collect feedback on permitting processes.
• Instituting a pre-application meeting process to better educate potential applicants of the permitting process and the specific permits they need. The Permit Application Consultation Tool (PACT) is available online.
• Undertaking User Experience (UX) research with key stakeholders that will provide useful insights into what they need and value during the application process. The goal of the customer experience initiative is to understand and improve the applicant’s experience and reduce bottlenecks in review.
DEP plans to finish additional projects in the next few months. DEP will inform the public about improvements in procedures and the time it takes to review as projects are finished.
