1Amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), entitled "An
2act creating the Department of Conservation and Natural
3Resources consisting of certain functions of the Department
4of Environmental Resources and the Department of Community
5Affairs; renaming the Department of Environmental Resources
6as the Department of Environmental Protection; defining the
7role of the Environmental Quality Board in the Department of
8Environmental Protection; making changes to responsibilities
9of the State Conservation Commission and the Department of
10Agriculture; transferring certain powers and duties to the
11Department of Health; and repealing inconsistent acts,"
12further providing for definitions; and providing for
13floatplane recreation.

14The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
15hereby enacts as follows:

16Section 1. Section 103 of the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89,
17No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, is
18amended by adding a definition to read:

19Section 103. Definitions.

20The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
21have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
22context clearly indicates otherwise:

1* * *

2"Floatplane." An aircraft with pontoons mounted under the
3fuselage that only come in contact with the surface of the water
4in order to allow the aircraft to land and take off using the
5surface of the water.

6* * *

7Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:

8Section 312.1. Floatplane recreation.

9(a) General rule.--The department shall promulgate rules and
10regulations to permit the landing and takeoff of floatplanes on
11designated lakes within State parks that are at least 3,000
12acres in size.

13(b) Provisions required for regulations.--The regulations
14shall include provisions for the proper and safe operation of
15floatplanes on the designated lakes. For each specific
16designated lake, a license to operate a floatplane shall be
17issued by the department to any floatplane operator who
18demonstrates the following:

19(1) A current pilot's certification issued by the
20Federal Aviation Administration.

21(2) The aircraft is equipped as required by the
22regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration
23specifically for seaplanes, which regulations are in effect
24on the effective date of this section.

25(3) An understanding of the applicable boating
26restrictions and regulations established for the particular
27body of water on which the floatplane operates when on the
28water and not in flight.

29(4) Compliance with all applicable requirements of the
30Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.

1(5) Other operational and safety practices and
2procedures as deemed necessary by the department.

3Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.