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Post by dennyf on Feb 21, 2014 11:36:22 GMT -5
I see that the same group who made baseless accusations against PGC earlier in the week, also laid into Exec.Director Arway on Wednesday, when he appeared before them for the Fish and Boat Comm. report. Some accused him of being too closely aligned with TU. One member even stated that TU is a "fringe environmental group". Negative comments/accusations were made about recent trout waters designations that are detrimental to anglers, in the opinions of some HG&F members. Another member pointed out that TU's influence is too ingrained within the Fish and Boat Commission, at the expense of other species, or words to that effect. Guess these people have somehow missed Arway's continuing tussles with DEP over water quality issues on the Susquehanna and the affect that is having on BASS populations?? Note that TU isn't typically all het up over BASS issues on the rivers of PA. So I'm surprised that insidious TU influence hasn't swayed Arway from pursuing solutions to a BASS problem? Shakin' my head, wondering WTH is wrong with some people.  |
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Post by dennyf on Feb 21, 2014 11:41:07 GMT -5
Pa. Fish and Boat Commission criticized for losing focus
By Bob Frye
Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 11:09 p.m.
Updated 8 hours ago
HARRISBURG – Some state lawmakers think the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has lost its way.
That was made clear when John Arway, executive director of the commission, presented the agency's annual report to the House of Representatives game and fisheries committee at the Capitol on Wednesday.
Arway discussed challenges facing the agency, as well as success it has achieved in implementing parts of its strategic plan. He pointed to the expansion of the mentored youth trout fishing program, sales of multiyear fishing licenses and creation of a voluntary youth fishing license that will bring in $5 of federal revenue for every $1 license purchased as positives.
Legislators, though, had a narrower focus.
“I strongly believe the mission of the commission is to provide opportunities for anglers,” said Rep. Martin Causer of the Potter County, majority chairman of the committee.
That means maximizing trout stockings, lawmakers said. Several said they don't feel the commission understands that.
One, Republican Doyle Heffley of Carbon County, said he's concerned about changes in the listing of Class A streams, which Arway described as “the best of the best” wild trout waters. Fish and Boat Commissioners recently adopted a policy statement that says all waters that qualify as Class A based on wild trout populations — whether stocked previously or not — will be listed as such so they can get all of the protections that designation offers.
Heffley said he's concerned some previously stocked waters might not get fish in the future. The idea that the commission doesn't share that worry is evidence it's being led astray by Trout Unlimited, which he termed a “fringe environmental group.”
Rep. Dave Maloney of Berks County joined that chorus, saying it's a “bunch of ideologues” in Trout Unlimited and on the commission board who are driving the agency in the wrong direction.
“I have deep, deep reservations about the warp speed of classifying streams as Class A,” Rep. Joe Emrick of Northampton County.
Arway denied Trout Unlimited or any group is unduly influencing the commission. He also defended the Class A policy, saying it's not meant to limit trout stockings, but to protect good wild trout fisheries for all anglers.
“It's a conservation and recreation policy,” Arway said.
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Post by TusseyMtman on Feb 21, 2014 13:25:06 GMT -5
I know the gas drillers and other proponents of Bill 1576 have been going after TU. That is likely what this is about, along with the big trout stocking proponents fearing less stocking.
Same old tactics being used on both agencies. Same people behind it.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 21, 2014 13:27:58 GMT -5
Republicans or Dems, which ones seem to be taking the most shots at the agencies?
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Post by TusseyMtman on Feb 21, 2014 13:43:59 GMT -5
As was discussed in an earlier thread, it is the Republicans. It has been the mission of Republicans to weaken environmental laws for decades. It is obvious.
Not one environmental protection law has ever been bad for this state or this country. I want a clean environment and our children and grandchildren deserve it! You can't let pro-industry(and not just the gas industry) lawyers write your environmental legislation. That is what is happening in the Corbett Era.
I am watching the Dem candidates for governor. I really wouldn't dislike Corbett so much if he wasn't acting as a servant to the drillers. I think he has done some good things outside of that.
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Post by dennyf on Feb 21, 2014 15:23:59 GMT -5
Anyone paying attention to how elected representives have been treating our wildlife agencies lately, might well wonder just WTH is going on.
A cynic might ask whether it's mere pre-election pandering to those constituents upset about game/fish numbers - Or does it rise to playing up to the resource industries most affected by wildlife regulation, in the hopes of campaign contributions?
Some might be content to just call it oversight as usual. Having watched this trend of bullying increase over the past few years, with accompanying accusations and bitterness towards our agencies, I'm not content to call it anything related to "usual".
Both legislative bodies have always had a role in overseeing our wildlife agencies. I'm fine with that. Browbeating agency heads over matters historically within the purview of each agency, rises beyond mere oversight.
I seldom agreed with Bruce Smith and Ed Staback when they were in the drivers' seats. But at least they behaved like gentlemen, maintained decorum and also had some knowledge of what they were doing and what their roles were. Evans did a good job conducting meetings, as well.
I see little like that now. What I do see, are some men and women with personal agendas and little on the ball in the way of wildlife management expertise and it saddens me.
BTW: I don't see one party having the monopoly on bullying these days. Other than a few individuals on there (mostly the "old hands") who still exhibit some common sense and dedication to what they're supposed to be doing, there are people from each party that do not belong on that panel.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 15:37:27 GMT -5
Reading this thread today made think of another thing that was in my inbox this morning... and I usually don't pass "motivational" fluff on, but I found this one poignant: Live Happier: 10 Things to Stop Doing Right Now
1. Blaming
2. Impressing
3. Clinging
4. Interrupting
5. Whining
6. Controlling
7. Criticizing
8. Preaching
9. Dwelling
10. Fearingwww.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140221130255-20017018-live-happier-ten-things-to-stop-doing-right-now?trk=tod-home-art-list-small_1Outside of my belief that we do not need to be 1 of only 4 states with a full-time state legislature, I think "leaders," and in turn the state, would be a lot better off if they gave this list some thought. Maybe the rest of us Pleebs too... |
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Post by dennyf on Feb 21, 2014 16:11:53 GMT -5
Don't indulge in the others, but I gotta stay with #7. Unless that amounts to going with numbers 3 and 9?  |
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Post by galthatfishes on Mar 4, 2014 17:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by dennyf on Mar 4, 2014 19:13:07 GMT -5
I now find few of these things to be strange. More like they're becoming the new normal?  |
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