Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Erie Access Improvement Grants awarded – Outdoor News
Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting, awarded one grant through the Erie Access Improvement Program.
This program, funded through proceeds from the sale of Lake Erie permits, funds projects that benefit public fishing, including enhanced access and habitat projects on Lake Erie and the watersheds of Lake Erie.
The grant was awarded to McKean Township, to pay for the McKean Conservation Area Master Plan Phase 2, Elk Creek, Erie County.
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Portion of River Restricted During Air Show
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission alerting boaters that access to a portion of the Susquehanna River was restricted from May 22-25, during the Air Dot Show Tour at Harrisburg International Airport in Dauphin County.
For the safety of the public and air show participants, buoys were placed in the river to mark a temporary exclusion zone which includes the immediate area adjacent to the airport runway and extended to mid-river.
Waterways conservation officers and other security personnel were present in the area to redirect boat traffic around the exclusion zone, as necessary.
PF&BC Introduces Walnut Creek Rule Change
Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting here, approved the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to special regulations applicable to Lake Erie tributary streams.
Under this proposal, the permitted hours for angler access and fishing on Walnut Creek from Route 5 downstream to the Manchester Road Bridge would be limited to one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Walnut Creek from Manchester Road Bridge downstream to Lake Erie and Elk Creek north of Route 5 would maintain no time restrictions for fishing.
If adopted on final rulemaking at a future meeting, this amendment would go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Forest ATV Trails Opened May 23
Warren, Pa. — The U.S. Forest Service opened all-terrain vehicle and off-highway motorcycle trails on May 23 in the Allegheny National Forest. The summer riding season runs through Sept. 28.
Annual permits are required to operate ATVs and UTVs on the 109-mile, motorized trail system. Information on how to secure a permit can be found on the forest website.
Forest Service staff have assessed trail conditions prior to opening and determined a detour is necessary for a small section of the Timberline ATV A Loop due to unsafe trail conditions.
Trail conditions can be challenging, and users are encouraged to consider their skill level when evaluating whether to use any trail.
Safe Boating Safety Course in Fayette County
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently announced that Smitty’s Marina in Belle Vernon will host a free, in-person Boating Safety Education Course on Saturday, June 21, where up to 60 boaters can earn their Boating Safety Education Certificate.
To register for this course, visit the Fish & Boat Commission website.
600-mile Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Reopened on May 23
Harrisburg — The popular Northcentral Regional ATV Trail has quickly become one of Pennsylvania’s premier outdoor recreation destinations in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.
Riders could hit the trail starting May 23, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reopened it for the 2025 season.
The trail offers more than 600 miles of connected roads and trails across Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, and Tioga counties and will remain open through Sunday, Sept. 28.
Now in its second full year, the trail has quickly become one of Pennsylvania’s premier outdoor recreation destinations. A recent study found the trail system generated $13.1 million in economic impact for Potter and Tioga counties in 2023 – up from $10.4 million the previous year.
DEP, PGC Host Falcon Banding Event
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection hosted the Game Commission’s banding of the Rachel Carson State Office Building peregrine falcon nestlings here on May 22. The event was livestreamed on DEP’s Facebook page.
For more than two decades, peregrine falcons have nested on the Rachel Carson State Office Building in downtown Harrisburg – the longest active nest site in Pennsylvania, according to DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. Patti Barber, endangered bird specialist with the Game Commission, led the team bringing the nestlings in from the 15th floor ledge.
Barber weighed the baby falcons, inspected their health, and put light metal bands around their legs for identification. This year there were three nestlings that were banded.
Falcon banding helps wildlife biologists to track the birds and allows birdwatchers from all over the world an opportunity to learn more about the peregrine’s flight patterns and where they nest.
The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal Endangered Species List in 1999 and the Pennsylvania Threatened List in 2021.
