Senate Committees Hold Public Hearing on
Endangered and Threatened Species

(News Release) HARRISBURG – The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and Senate Majority Policy Committee, on Friday, held a public hearing to examine Pennsylvania laws pertaining to endangered and threatened species.

Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Senator Richard Alloway (R-33) explained that the purpose of the informational hearing was to receive testimony on the Threatened and Endangered Species legislation that has been proposed.

Senate Bill 1047 was introduced by Senator Scarnati last year and would establish the Endangered Species Coordination Act.

The hearing, which took place at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, included testifiers from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, PA Chamber of Business and Industry and the PA Builders Association.

“Our federal government has effectively protected threatened species for over 100 years,” Senator Scarnati stated. “However, currently in Pennsylvania our state agencies do not coordinate their efforts with federal rules and regulations. Senate Bill 1047 takes an important step to create a greater level of accountability and transparency regarding the classification of endangered species in our Commonwealth.”

SB 1047 would also require the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to submit proposed designations to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). IRRC already reviews regulations from every other state agency, including endangered species designations made by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and most stream designations made by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Scarnati noted that in addition, DCNR will be required to maintain a centralized database containing a list of all designated species and critical habitats within the Commonwealth.

“Testifiers at the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee hearing did a thorough job of explaining to the Committee how the Endangered Species bill would impact their agencies and businesses,” Senator Alloway stated. “Information presented will be closely reviewed and analyzed before a Committee vote is scheduled.”

Senator Alloway noted that last November the House Game and Fisheries Committee voted to pass House Bill 1576, the companion bill to Senate Bill 1047.

“Taxpayers expect that state government operates in an efficient manner,” Senator Scarnati stated. “Our goal is that Pennsylvania maintains a universal standard of protection for our fish, wildlife and plants, without unduly harming our businesses and employers who provide family sustaining jobs in the Commonwealth.”

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Arrests in Operation Diamond Drop

Image
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, assisted by local police officers from across Erie County and the Pennsylvania State Police, are in the process of arresting 41 suspects linked to a nearly $5 million drug organization operating in and around Erie. Corbett said the nearly 2-year long grand jury investigation, known as “Operation Diamond Drop,” used court-ordered wiretaps, undercover surveillance and controlled drug purchases to identify large-scale cocaine and marijuana traffickers in the region. “Drug trafficking at this level is ‘big business’, including upper-level suppliers, mid-level distributers and street-level sales people,” Corbett said. “Our investigations focus on following the drugs and money to their source, allowing us to attack an entire drug distribution network when we make our arrests.” Corbett said the chief figure charged today is Miguel Angel Burgos, 31, 9891 Holly
Read more

Woman Charged with Posting
Nude Picture on Facebook

A Falconer, New York, woman is facing charges after allegedly posting a naked photo of a Warren woman on Facebook. Police say 22-year-old Lindsay Head posted the picture without the consent of the 21-year-old victim, who is dating Head's ex-boyfriend. Head is charged with dispersing obscene and sexual materials. The picture has been removed from Facebook.
Read more

Two Arrested on Drug Charges

Image
Two people were arrested on drug charges after state police got a report about unauthorized use of a vehicle. Troopers found the vehicle in Randolph on Wednesday and arrested the driver, 31-year-old Bridget Bardo of Conewango, for aggravated unlicensed operation and criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was released on her own recognizance and scheduled to appear in Town of Randolph Court. Her passenger, 28-year-old Andrew Jaquish of Salamanca, was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police also learned there was an active warrant against him from City of Jamestown Court. He was sent to Chautauqua County Jail on $1,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947
Read more