S.O.S – Save Our Susquehanna!
In early June, the PFBC has launched an “S.O.S. - Save Our Susquehanna!” campaign to fund water and
soil conservation projects along the Susquehanna River, whose young smallmouth bass population has
been plagued over the last decade by illness and elevated mortality
rates.
“The Susquehanna River is sick and someone has to take steps to fix it
before it is too late,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “This is
about conservation and protecting our aquatic resources so they may be
enjoyed by future generations as guaranteed by our state constitution.
We need leadership to begin working on fixing problems that we know
exist.”
“The PFBC’s very mission of Resource First requires us to step up our
efforts to help our smallmouth fishery before it’s too late,” he added.
“The time for action is now. This campaign will help fund projects to
reduce known sources of pollution in critical areas where diseased bass
have been found.”
Examples of some projects include:
 Identifying sites and working with willing farmers and colleges and universities to test soils and reduce
nutrient and sediment run-off to control nuisance algae blooms that produce low oxygen levels and high
pH conditions that are harmful to young bass; and
 Working with physicians and hospitals throughout the basin to keep pharmaceutical drugs and other
endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) out of the river because of the harmful effects that they cause to
fish.
Click below to view a video of a sample project in Lancaster County.
From now until the end of the year, the PFBC expects to receive $3 million in revenue from sales of
approximately 130,000 resident annual, senior resident annual, and non-resident annual licenses. Under
the S.O.S. - Save Our Susquehanna! campaign, once the $3 million threshold is met, all additional sales
from the three licenses will be dedicated solely to funding Susquehanna River projects.
To kick off the campaign, Mr. Arway pledged $50,000 in matching funds from the Commission, stating
“I’m optimistic that we will raise and exceed the $50,000 from anglers, other conservationists, and anyone
who cares about our natural resources and supports our efforts to do everything in our power to protect
and conserve them. Once we raise $50,000, the S.O.S. - Save Our Susquehanna! campaign will have its
first $100,000 to begin working on projects to fix the river.”
Arway added that anyone can contribute to the campaign by purchasing a fishing license.
“The fishing license is simply the mechanism we’re using to raise the funds,” he said. “You don’t have to
be an angler. You just have to care about the Susquehanna River. By buying an annual fishing license,
you can help make this campaign a success.”
Arway added that by supporting this campaign, individuals can also help the Chesapeake Bay, which is
fed by the Susquehanna River. “If you care about the Chesapeake Bay, buy a Pennsylvania fishing
license to help us fix the river, which will also help to ‘Save the Bay.’”
A resident annual fishing license is $20; senior resident annual $9; and non-resident annual $50.
Also, individuals can further demonstrate their support by purchasing a special S.O.S. - Save Our
Susquehanna button for just $10. A fishing license is required in order to purchase the button, and all
proceeds from the button sales will also go to fund the campaign.
Anglers and individuals also have the option of contributing to the campaign by writing a check to “S.O.S.
– Save Our Susquehanna” and mailing it the PFBC headquarters at P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA
DONATION
FROM
ENOLA
SPORTSMEN’S – Richard Zerbe,
right, stopped by the PFBC
headquarters on June 22, 2015, to
hand deliver to Executive Director
John Arway a $1,000 donation on
behalf of the Enola Sportsmen’s
Association. Mr. Zerbe said he grew
up fishing on the Susquehanna River
and wanted to help after reading
about the launch of the PFBC’s
S.O.S. – Save Our Susquehanna
River! Campaign. He subsequently
spoke to his sportsmen’s association
and they agreed to provide the
donation.
STATE REP. DAVID MILLARD –
State Representative David Millard (RBerwick), left, displays the fishing
license he purchased on June 25,
2015, to help support the PFBC’s
Save Our Susquehanna! Campaign.
He also purchased a S.O.S. button.
Executive Director John Arway
displays a sample of the S.O.S.
button.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WITH SUE
HELM - Executive Director John Arway
joined state Rep. Sue Helm (RSusquehanna Township) on June 17 to
discuss the Save Our Susquehanna!
Campaign. (Click on picture to view
video.)
17106.
Heistand Sawmill Dam Removal
May 2015 saw the removal of the Heistand Sawmill Dam on Chiques Creek in Lancaster County. The
project was a collaborative effort between PFBC, American Rivers, Columbia Water Company and
Lancaster County. RETTEW provided consulting services and construction oversight, and Flyway
Excavating was contracted to complete the construction. The project opens approximately 13 miles of
upstream habitat for migratory and resident fishes. PFBC provided nearly $90,000 in grant funding
through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)-Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Small
Watershed Grant and Exelon/Muddy Run Habitat Improvement funds. The total project cost was
approximately $200,000.
In June 2014, the PFBC announced that it will receive $800,000 as a result of a Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) water quality certification of Exelon’s Muddy Run Pumped
Storage Project in Lancaster County to be used specifically to remove small dams within York and
Lancaster counties. The certification was part of the company’s renewal of its operating license with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Along with DEP, the PFBC and others had been negotiating with Exelon for several years leading up to
the relicensing to ensure that fish and aquatic resources are protected, including appropriate mitigation
for American Shad, American Eels and resident fish.
The PFBC estimates that there are several hundred dams in the two counties. The agreement calls for
Exelon to pay the PFBC $50,000 annually for small dam removals from 2014 to 2030. The PFBC intends
to work with willing dam owners to direct funding to dam removal projects that will yield the greatest
ecological benefits.
Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS)
Launched in June of 2013, the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS) is an important atlas
project to help determine the distribution and status of amphibians and reptiles (herps) throughout
Pennsylvania, building upon previous atlas efforts and combining modern technology with an army of
citizen scientists known as “herpers.” The project is a joint venture between the PFBC and the MidAtlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation (MACHAC), with funding assistance from the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grants Program and the Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Wildlife Resources Conservation Program.
Amphibians and reptiles are important species
found in just about every Pennsylvania
landscape. Very little information about
Pennsylvania’s herps has been collected
through the years when compared to other
groups of organisms. This is unfortunate,
since herps are important indicators of the
health of our natural places and the very
presence of certain species can tell us a lot
about an area.
Since June 2013, PARS has recruited over 1,000 volunteer participants (1,099 as of May 15, 2015) who
have submitted over 23,000 new amphibian and reptile records using the interactive PARS website
(www.paherpsurvey.org/). These include hundreds of new records for species listed as threatened or
endangered such as Blue-spotted Salamander, Eastern Cricket Frog, Northern Rough Greensnake and
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Many of these documentations constitute county records, and the
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake, a species believed to have been extirpated from Pennsylvania, has been
‘rediscovered’ by PARS volunteers in southeastern Pennsylvania. Many threatened and endangered
species records have resulted from the formation of Focal Species Teams which are comprised of expert
and assistant volunteers with an interest in specific rare species. A Verification Committee, a panel of
experts which examine each and every submitted record to ensure correct identification, has also been
formed.
As of the end of 2014, over 162,000 amphibian and reptile collection records had been compiled from
museums, universities and other institutions. Much of the volunteer support for PARS comes from a
diverse group of Pennsylvanians from all socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, and genders across the
state – a key component of a Citizen Science Project.
The PFBC encourages readers to check out the website and for interested individuals to consider joining
the PARS program as a volunteer: www.paherpsurvey.org
Spring 2015 Tiger Muskellunge Evaluation, Little Buffalo Lake, Perry County
The 88-acre Little Buffalo Lake, located in Perry County approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the
Borough of Newport, is owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
(DCNR) and maintained for recreational use within the 830-acre Little Buffalo State Park. Little Buffalo
Lake has a wide variety of fish species that offer diverse year-round angling opportunities. The lake has
two boat launches, a mooring area, an ADA accessible fishing pier and ample vehicle parking. Motorized
boats are permitted to use electric motors only. For complete information on Little Buffalo State Park, visit
the park website (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/littlebuffalo/).
PFBC staff conducted a trap net survey in April 2015 targeting Tiger Muskellunge, as well as other fish
species. The 2015 survey is part of a larger statewide study initiated at Little Buffalo Lake in 2013 that is
guided by the Plan for Management of Muskellunge in Pennsylvania (http://fishandboat.com/muskyplan.htm). The general goals of this five-year study (2013 – 2017) are to evaluate the survival and growth
of Tiger Muskellunge stocked in the reservoir and the effects a 2007 regulation change pertaining to
Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge (No closed season; 1 fish/day; 40 inch minimum size) may have had
on the population.
Five Pennsylvania style trap nets were set daily during the week of April 12, 2015. All muskellunge
captured were measured for total length and weighed. A single pelvic fin ray and scales were removed
for age and growth analysis. A passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag about the size of a grain of rice
was implanted into each Tiger Muskellunge captured to identify that individual if captured in future years
of the evaluation.
Eleven Tiger Muskellunge were captured during the 2015 week-long effort, two of which were captured
twice. The largest of the Tiger Muskellunge captured was a female that was 42 inches in total length and
weighed 21 pounds. Four Tiger Muskellunge captured in 2015 were identified by their PIT tag as having
been previously captured during the 2014 survey. These four Tiger Muskellunge ranged in size from 33
to 38 inches in 2015. The mean average annual growth for these four individuals was 2.5 inches and 2
pounds. A summary of Tiger Muskellunge captured during the April 2015 evaluation is provided in
Figure 1.
Ten other species were captured during the targeted Tiger Muskellunge survey; however, the timing of
the survey and gear type used, were not ideal for the evaluation of some species. In general, the PFBC
reports that good numbers of Black Crappie were captured, with several individuals noted up to 16 inches
in length. Moderate numbers of White Crappie, Bluegill and Yellow Perch were also captured with a few
individuals of quality size. A summary of all fish collected during this survey is presented in Table 1.
Excluding the annual hatchery plants of Tiger Muskellunge, warm water fish populations within Little
Buffalo Lake are sustained through natural reproduction. Additionally, the PFBC provides anglers to
opportunity to fish for trout in the lake with pre-season, in-season and fall stockings of adult trout. The
fishery is regulated with Commonwealth Inland Water angling regulations and Big Bass Program
regulations, and is designated an Approved Trout Water Open to Year-Round Fishing.
Processing a Tiger Muskellunge captured
at Little Buffalo Lake. All fish are returned
to the water following processing and
measurement.
Tiger Muskellunge captured In Little
Buffalo Lake
Number Captured
4
3
2
1
0
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Total Length (Inches)
Figure 1. Summary of length frequency distribution of Tiger Muskellunge captured in trap nets during the
week of April 2015.
Table 1. Length frequency distribution of fish captured in trap nets the week of April 12, 2015.
Fish Species
Total Number Caught
Length Range (inches)
Black Crappie
1,302
3 - 16
White Crappie
293
5 - 14
Bluegill
579
3-8
Rock Bass
21
4-7
Largemouth Bass
4
8 - 10
Golden Shiner
9
Not Recorded
Yellow Bullhead
24
9 - 16
White Sucker
14
10 - 21
Yellow Perch
412
4 - 13
Pumpkinseed
20
4-7
Tiger Muskellunge
11
33 - 42
For additional information on some of the surveys that have been conducted by the PFBC over the years,
please check the following webpage: http://fishandboat.com/afm.htm
21st WCO Class
The twenty Waterways Conservation Officer (WCP) Trainees in the 21st WCO Class remain a very high
priority effort for the PFBC. The 21st WCO Class began their training on July 6 at the agency’s H.R.
Stackhouse School. The upcoming year of training is divided into several major areas of concentration.
The training areas include municipal police officer training, boat operation and enforcement skills,
environmental law enforcement, conservation officer skills, communications and officer safety skills.
Leading up to the start of the new class, the PFBC worked through activities associated with the Civil
Service Job Announcement and testing, interviews, background investigations, and conditional offers of
employment. Candidates were tested and certified to meet all Municipal Police Officers’ Education and
Training Program (Act 120) entrance standards. This testing included reading comprehension, physical
fitness level, medical screening (including drug testing), psychological evaluation, credit and driver
history. The class reported to the Pennsylvania State Police Northwest Training Center on July 13 for
approximately twenty one weeks of Act 120 training.
Following the successful completion of all Act 120 training requirements, the class will resume specific
Waterways Conservation Officer Trainee studies at our Stackhouse School. Classes will start there in
early December 2015. The program for Waterways Conservation Officer Trainees consists of several
phases designed to prepare the cadets for the various aspects of their job duties. It includes instruction in
fisheries laws, environmental laws, boat operation and marine law enforcement, officer safety skills,
communication skills and conservation officer skills. The objective is to provide the cadet with the
professional skills needed to become a competent waterways conservation officer.
Operation Dry Water
Waterways Conservation Officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) participated
in Operation Dry Water – the nation’s boating under the influence (BUI) awareness and enforcement
campaign. The nationwide event took place June 26-28, but heavy rains and high water resulted in the
effort being moved to the busy July 4th weekend.
“Boating under the influence is no different than driving a car after someone’s been drinking,” said
Colonel Corey Britcher, director of the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement. “Alcohol impairs an individual’s
ability to operate a boat safely and puts the driver, his passengers and others on the water at risk.”
“Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion — stressors common to
the boating environment — intensify the effects of alcohol,” he
added. “Boating is a fun summertime activity, and we’re urging all
boaters to help keep it that way by boating sober.”
Last year across the state, 17 individuals died in boating accidents.
Alcohol was a contributing factor in six of the cases.
So far this year, PFBC waterways conservation officers have arrested more than a dozen individuals for
boating under the influence. They arrested 93 individuals in 2014; 90 individuals in 2013; 60 individuals in
2012; 62 in 2011; and 65 in 2010.
Filtered by region, WCOs in 2014 arrested the following number of individuals for BUI:






11 in Northwest Region (Counties – Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer,
Venango, Warren)
25 in Southwest Region (Counties - Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene,
Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland)
6 in Northcentral Region (Counties - Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson,
Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union)
26 in Southcentral Region (Counties - Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin,
Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York)
8 in Northeast Region (Counties - Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe,
Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming)
17 in Southeast Region (Counties - Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh,
Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill)
In 2009, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), in partnership with the
United States Coast Guard, launched Operation Dry Water to help draw public attention to the dangers of
boating under the influence of alcohol and drugs. During the three-day weekend, law enforcement
officers at local, state and federal levels were on heightened alert for those violating boating under the
influence laws.
From the program’s inception through 2014, law enforcement officers removed 1,875 BUI operators from
the nation’s waterways and made contact with over 604,250 boaters during the annual three-day
weekend.
“Many boaters may not know that the threshold for BUI is the same as with motor vehicles – 0.08
percent,” added Britcher. “Fish and Boat officers regularly patrol waterways and will have an increased
presence this weekend and around the upcoming July 4 holiday.”
Nationally, in 2014, alcohol use was the primary factor in nearly one-fourth (21%) of boater deaths,
according to the annual U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics report.
If convicted of boating under the influence, operators could face fines and jail time.
For more information on Operation Dry Water, please visit www.operationdrywater.org.
Baseball, NASCAR, and Fishing!
The PFBC undertook marketing and advertising activities to promote the “Catch the Value” campaign for
2015 in an attempt to drive sales in conjunction with the two trout season openers and the opener of bass
season.
The Catch The Value! Kayak and More Giveaway was conducted between May18 and June 22 as a way
to garner interest in fishing and boating during the late-spring months.
Marketing presence, in conjunction with outreach and law enforcement, was shown at York Revolution
and Lancaster Barnstormers baseball games and the Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley event.
The PFBC was also present at the Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 race weekend, June 5-7, at Pocono
Raceway, operating a booth in the FanZone area of the track, handing out various promotion materials
and accepting entries to the Catch The Value! Kayak and More Giveaway.
The PFBC also sponsored a kids fishing pond located in the Kid Zone at the track on Saturday June
6. This was coordinated with The Bass Pro Shops "Teach a Child to Fish Clinic" featuring an appearance
by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.
POCONO RACEWAY WITH TONY STEWART – NASCAR driver Tony Stewart (above, left, orange hat)
joined PFBC Executive Director John Arway (left, green hat) for a special event to promote youth fishing.
(Photos courtesy Pocono Raceway)