I drove to Erie for a Game and Fisheries Committee meeting this afternoon.  The hearing was primarily focused on the fishing issues in Lake Erie and it’s surrounding Pennsylvania streams and rivers.  A program was recently established to charge an additional stamping fee to fish for Steelheads.  This fee was used to purchase easements and generally provide better access to the lake and streams in this region.  A similar program will begin this year in Huntingdon County.   We also heard testimony from the Commission on proposed license increases.  My answer at the hearing, which started a lot of discussion, was that the Game Commission and the Fish Commission are the only two commissions or authorities that I am aware of in the state that do not set their own fees.  This does not make sense structurally and for various other reasons.  I have been looking into this issue and asking questions about it at public venues like today’s hearing.  Consistency and fairness are important traits of good policy.  This situation certainly isn’t consistent nor is it fair to the commissions.  The remaining question is to the protection of the sportsmen. That is the more difficult answer for which to  gather consensus.

- John