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Pennsylvania's unique approach to fish and wildlife conservation has drawn a lot of attention in recent weeks, especially after the announcement that both the Fish & Boat Commission and Game Commission will disband their deputy programs. While it is true that Pennsylvania is unusual in that it utilizes two separate agencies to police hunting and fishing, what rarely enters the conversation is that there is a third agency involved in managing our natural resources -- DCNR.
Many outdoorsmen do not realize the overlap that occurs between PGC, PFBC and DCNR. After all, our 125 state parks and 20 state forests encompass over 2.5 million acres and include opportunities for hunting, fishing and boating at almost every facility. Each of the three agencies also helps communities develop local outdoor recreation opportunities, and that is where some of the conflict comes in. When a community has limited resources and turns to the state for assistance, it sometimes comes down to competition between agencies over who will offer that assistance and what the result will be.
Imagine you are a leader in a small, rural river community. You obtain a small parcel of land adjacent to that river and want to turn it into a park. If you turn to the PFBC, you will be encouraged to develop fishing and boating amenities such as ADA-compliant piers and a boat ramp. If you approach DCNR, you will receive information on developing hiking trails, bike paths and picnic areas. Rarely can you receive assistance, especially in the form of grants, from both agencies for a single project. Someone has finally asked "why?" and, more importantly, taken steps to change that.
Last week, leaders from DCNR and PFBC announced that they have taken steps to work in cooperation when developing future public access areas. This strategy will provide a blueprint for partner organizations such as communities, nonprofit organizations, watershed groups and even water trail managers, allowing them to benefit from the resources both agencies have to offer. Now, instead of deciding whether to build a boating access, fishing pier or hiking trails, a local community could do all three at a suitable location. Visitors could enjoy a leisurely walk along a river trail or use that same trail to access hidden riverfront fishing access. Kayakers might launch from a community boat ramp, access a nearby water trail, and stop at a small island picnic area for lunch. It may not seem like much, but turning small parcels of publicly accessible land into multiple recreational opportunities means more Pennsylvanians will have access to the over 85,000 miles of rivers and streams that crisscross the commonwealth.