Endangered Fish in Pennsylvania Need your Help

Endangered fish in Pennsylvania need your help! The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is proposing to significantly expand its list of threatened and endangered species in the state, but pressure from development and resource extraction interests is threatening to block the proposal. ( See Pollution UpDate 10.22.98 )

Public comment is being solicited by the PFBC until March 15, 1999, and the Commission needs to hear from you! Please take the time to e-mail or write to the PFBC (using the information below), and express your feelings about the importance of biodiversity and endangered species. If possible, use your own words - it's more effective.

Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Threatened and Endangered Fish Listings

Pennsylvania currently lists: 9 fish species as endangered, 9 fish species as threatened, and 28 fish species as candidate. The Fish and Boat Commission proposes to list: 28 species as endangered, 15 species as threatened, and 11 species as candidate.

The new list was developed using the most advanced technology available and was reviewed by scientists specializing in Pennsylvania fishes. The proposed list represents approximately 30% of the state's fish species.

Threats to the fish include acid mine drainage, chlorine from sewage-treatment plants, and the introduction of non-native species. Recognizing which species are in trouble is important because the fish are barometers for the health of the watersheds they inhabit; as streams accumulate pollution and as wetlands are destroyed, the rare species are often the first to go.

The PFBC voted on the proposed regulation at its April 1998 meeting, and has extended the public comment period an unprecedented four times because of pressure from the coal and dredging industries. The latest comment period will close on March 15, 1999, and the next possible vote will be the May 1999 PFBC meeting.

** Comments should be sent to: Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 or e-mailed to "regulations@fish.state.pa.us" If you do not receive an acknowledgment of electronic comments within 2 working days, send them again. For more information, check the PFBC's web site, at http://www.state.pa.us/Fish. If possible, send a copy of your comments to your state Representative and Senator.

* For more background information on the issue or copies of newspaper articles contact:

Melanie Mayock
Northeast State Organizer
GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network (GREEN)
1101 14th St NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-9400 x290
(202) 682-1331 (fax)
mmayock@defenders.org
www.defenders.org/grnhome.html

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