Pennsylvania forms Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation

Governor Tom Corbett today issued an executive order creating the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation to help ensure the concerns of hunters, anglers and others are heard at the highest levels of state government.

“Pennsylvania’s rich outdoor heritage, including activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, birding, wildlife viewing, boating and hiking, are enjoyed by more than 5.9 million Pennsylvania residents and visitors each year,” Governor Corbett said.

“These outdoor recreational activities annually generate more than $5.4 billion for Pennsylvania’s economy, which makes this council’s input very critical.”

The order consolidates several previous advisory councils into a single entity. The new council consists of individuals concerned with the recreational use and conservation of Pennsylvania’s natural resources, including hunters, trappers, anglers and other conservationists. Council members will:

· Review and make written recommendations to the governor regarding any issue appropriate for governmental action that might affect the recreational use and conservation of the state’s wildlife and other natural resources.

· Review and make written recommendations regarding policies adopted or regulations issued by the Fish and Boat Commission, the Game Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or the Department of Environmental Protection, that might affect the recreational uses of the state’s natural resources.

· Review and make written recommendations regarding pending legislation and proposed regulations impacting natural resources.

The panel includes a diverse representation of stakeholders, including four members between the ages of 14 and 18. It does not include any elected statewide officials, legislators or employees of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Boat Commission or the Game Commission.

Governor Corbett also appointed Justin N. Leventry as his liaison to the council. Leventry, a legislative specialist with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is an avid outdoorsman who lives in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.

The council will be chaired by Richard Mislitsky of Mt. Holly Springs, Cumberland County.

Members appointed by the governor today are:
· Ron Andrews, Emporium, Cameron County
· Rodney S. Ansell, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County
· C. Thomas Baldrige, North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County
· Thomas Boop, Sunbury, Northumberland County
· Dale C. Butler, Noxen, Wyoming County
· James A. Chapman, Warren, Warren County
· Clair Clemens, Hatfield, Montgomery County
· Christopher M. Czop, Collegeville, Montgomery County
· Patrick Domico, Curwensville, Clearfield County
· Kory R. Enck, Elizabethtown, Lancaster County
· Michael R. Foust, Johnstown, Cambria County
· Dennis R. Fredericks, Amity, Washington County
· Greg Grabowicz, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County
· Jeffrey Haste, Harrisburg, Dauphin County
· Maria D. Heil, New Freedom, York County
· John Hohenwarter, Elizabethtown, Lancaster County
· Mary Hosmer, Ridgway, Elk County
· Michael J. Martz, Dalmatia, Northumberland County
· Freddie L. McKnight, Shirleysburg, Huntingdon County
· Robert McRae, West Chester, Chester County
· Richard Mislitsky, Mt. Holly Springs, Cumberland County (Chair)
· Janet D. Nyce, Green Lane, Montgomery County
· Vern Ross, Camp Hill, Cumberland County
· Randy Santucci, McKees Rocks, Allegheny County
· Bruce R. Snyder, Bellefonte, Centre County
· Kim Stolfer, McDonald, Allegheny County
· Harold L. Stoneberger, Lewisberry, York County
· Brett Unruh, Coventryville, Chester County
· Daniel Wilkinson, Gettysburg, Adams County
· David Youells, Perkasie, Bucks County.
The four youth members are:
· Mitchell A. Good, Hershey, Dauphin County
· Cody Lambert, West Brownsville, Washington

Members will serve one-year terms and are not compensated for their participation.