|
|
Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
February 1, 2003
There is a message board that is frequented by outdoor writers and politicians. I was chastised recently for not responding to a sensitive subject. My board name is Erie Water, and Panfish said this: "… where is Erie, he seems to keep an even keel in these times of uncertainty?"
My response:
Politics, money, and greed can dull the senses, particularly common sense.
Representative Bruce Smith, R-Lewisberry, is seeking co-sponsors in the state House of Representatives for a resolution that would approve his Game and Fisheries Committee to take a look at what might be gained by merging the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PF&BC).
"If legislation is written to merge the commissions, I will strongly suggest that the new agency be independent and not made part of another state department," Smith said.
But it is politics, and if it happens, no state agency is independent, regardless of what a politician says. Politicians must answer to their constituents or they don't have a job. That is why they invented the term "pork".
Smith added, "For example, the agencies have two different work forces that are busy at two different times of the year. It's seems probable that money could be saved through combining these work forces."
Managing wildlife is a year-round job. During off-peak times, the experts are using resources to prevent problems from reoccurring during the next peak time. And from the business standpoint, we have all seen that mergers fail more often than they succeed. The only ones that benefit are the "proponents" of the merger.
According to Smith, both of the agencies are experiencing financial difficulties, and he believes they may both seek increases in license fees or continue to dip into reserves when they make their annual presentations to the committee in late January and early February.
Yes, both agencies are experiencing difficulties. But why merge two agencies that are, for the most part, self-sufficient? Also, many Pennsylvanians benefit from what the license fees provide. For example, the picnic bench at North East Marina is a great place to watch the sunset; many enjoy this pleasure, yet many of those don`t buy a fishing license. Or not every Pennsylvania citizen buys a hunting license, but most will call the PGC to remove that critter that just invaded their cellar.
Everyone wants to play with the ball. But if the dog takes it and runs and a new ball is needed, no one wants to help buy it.
Can I fault Rep. Smith for what he is doing? No. He is doing his job. Both agencies have made mistakes and he is keeping those mistakes on everyone's mind and doing what he thinks is right.
Do I think he is wrong? Yes. The PGC and PF&BC are agencies that have worked hard to create an outdoors that all in Pennsylvania can enjoy. Common sense should prevail: a license increase is needed and overdue. Tax money is needed and deserved. Hunting fishing, and boating generates a tremendous amount of money - and taxes - for the state.
Politicians should realize this and show support because the eyes of the nation are on us. For all that Gary Alt did - right or wrong, in terms of future deer populations - the PGC is being praised. For 125 years the PF&BC has been - and still is - a national leader in waterways conservation and management.
These are not independent agencies. The current system of checks and balances for governing what each agency does work well and they should not be held hostage by money issues.
There are no fences on the game lands that say Keep Out, Hunters Only. There are no gates on the rivers, streams, and lakes that say Keep out, Anglers and Boaters Only. There is, however, game lands, clean water, picnic benches, boat ramps, trails, and wildlife.
It's time for someone else to buy the ball. We will let you play. Just respect what the hunter, angler, boater, PGC, and PF&BC has worked so hard for - and paid for.
Good Fishing and Towing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
|
|
