Comments sought on adding brook trout to action plan

PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is inviting public comment on adding naturally reproducing eastern brook trout to the State Wildlife Action Plan, the document that prescribes conservation measures for species and their critical habitat before they become more rare and more costly to protect and restore.

The brook trout’s historic range and abundance has been considerably reduced throughout the east coast, including Pennsylvania. Habitat and water quality degradation caused by urbanization, acid mine drainage, acid deposition and poor land use practices have contributed to the decline. The addition of the species to Pennsylvania’s State Wildlife Action Plan, if approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would provide the Commission with more flexibility to fund, or receive funding for, projects that benefit the species.

“Based on stream surveys by the PFBC conducted since 1976, wild brook trout populations have been documented in 1,524 stream sections covering a total of 5,044 miles of streams. Although this is a considerable wild brook trout resource, much of this resource is fragmented and primarily exists in first and second order headwater streams,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “Adding wild brook trout to Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan is a logical step in conserving and enhancing our state fish.”

Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan can be downloaded from the commission web site at fishandboat.com, located on the State Wildlife Grant program page. The proposed brook trout plan amendment is also posted online, as is a form that allows the public to comment on the proposal.

Public comment will also be accepted in writing through 4:00 p.m., August 3. Direct mail to Brook Trout/WAP/Public Comments, c/o Dave Day, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.