PRINTER'S NO. 3536
No. 500 Session of 2000
INTRODUCED BY B. SMITH, CAWLEY, FORCIER, BENNINGHOFF, STABACK
AND SURRA, MAY 11, 2000
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MAY 11, 2000
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to have studies
2 conducted concerning chemicals in its hatchery trout.
3 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission operates
4 nine fish culture stations that raise more than 5 million adult
5 trout for stocking in the streams and lakes of this
6 Commonwealth; and
7 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's trout propagation and stocking
8 program provides an important component of cold-water fishing in
9 this Commonwealth; and
10 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's trout propagation and stocking
11 program has earned national recognition as one of the largest
12 and best in the nation as well as earning the appreciation of
13 Pennsylvania trout anglers for the number and size of adult
14 trout stocked in Commonwealth waters; and
15 WHEREAS, In the last few years, Pennsylvania's trout
16 propagation and stocking program has faced major issues relating
17 to evolving standards for effluent discharges, chemicals in
1 hatchery trout and demands for efficient and effective
2 operations; and
3 WHEREAS, The Committee on Game and Fisheries of the House of
4 Representatives has requested the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
5 Commission to undertake a sampling and testing program for
6 hatchery trout to report levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in
7 the trout; and
8 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been
9 fully responsive and has fully complied with the guidelines
10 issued by the committee; and
11 WHEREAS, The serious issues facing Pennsylvania's trout
12 propagation and stocking program require an in-depth,
13 independent review; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
15 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, in cooperation with the
16 Department of Health and the Department of Environmental
17 Protection, to request the Penn State Cooperative Fish and
18 Wildlife Research Unit to undertake an independent, academic
19 study of issues related to polychlorinated biphenyls in
20 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission hatchery trout; and be it
21 further
22 RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
23 provide the Committee on Game and Fisheries of the House of
24 Representatives with periodic updates on the progress of the
25 Penn State Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and with
26 a copy of the independent, academic study report when it is
27 completed; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That, consistent with the results of the
29 independent, academic study and in consideration of principles
30 of risk assessment and standards applicable to fish in the
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1 nation's food supply, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,
2 in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department
3 of Environmental Protection, make appropriate adjustments to the
4 issuance of fish consumption advisories for Pennsylvania Fish
5 and Boat Commission hatchery trout and inform the committee in
6 writing of such adjustments; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,
8 during the Commonwealth's fiscal year 2000-2001, contract for an
9 independent, comprehensive review of its trout propagation and
10 stocking program with an emphasis on improving the efficiency
11 and effectiveness of the stocking program while complying with
12 all applicable and evolving effluent discharge standards as well
13 as addressing concerns of chemicals in hatchery trout; and be it
14 further
15 RESOLVED, That the independent, comprehensive review of the
16 trout propagation and stocking program include consideration of
17 all feasible alternatives for improving the program and
18 addressing issues of concern; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
20 provide the Committee on Game and Fisheries of the House of
21 Representatives with periodic updates on the progress of the
22 independent, comprehensive review of the trout propagation and
23 stocking program and with a copy of the completed report.
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