Source: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol47/47-10/412.html
Timestamp: 2017-04-27 13:00:44
Document Index: 776765827

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2002133', '§\u2002133', '§\u2002133', '§\u2002703', '§\u2002133', '§\u2002133', '§\u2002133']

PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 17-412
[47 Pa.B. 1467][Saturday, March 11, 2017]
To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission), at its January 31, 2017, meeting, amended § 133.21 (relating to classification of birds) to remove the osprey from the Commonwealth's list of threatened and endangered birds.
Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 46 Pa.B. 6869 (October 29, 2016).
In accordance with the goals and objectives stated in the Management Plan for Osprey in Pennsylvania, 2015—2025 (Plan), the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) has achieved a population level, geographical distribution and tolerance of human activity that no longer meets the definition of a threatened species under § 133.4 (relating to definitions). As of the 2016 nesting season, osprey populations have met the objectives of at least 50 total nesting pairs with a steady or increasing population, including at least 10 nesting pairs in each of 4 watersheds for the second consecutive comprehensive survey. As a result, the Commission amends § 133.21 to remove the osprey from the Commonwealth's list of threatened and endangered birds. Notwithstanding this delisting, ospreys will continue to be a protected species under the code and will continue to be afforded protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C.A. §§ 703—712). Commission staff will continue to implement the Plan and monitor osprey nests to ensure that this species does not regress toward endangerment.
Section 322(c)(8) of the code (relating to powers and duties of commission) specifically empowers the Commission to ''[a]dd to or change the classification of any wild bird or wild animal.'' Section 2167 of the code (relating to endangered or threatened species) states that ''[t]he commission may, by regulation, add or remove any wild bird or wild animal native to this Commonwealth to or from the Pennsylvania native list of endangered or threatened species.'' The amendments to § 133.21 are adopted under this authority.
This final-form rulemaking amends § 133.21 to remove the osprey from the Commonwealth's list of threatened and endangered birds.
Persons concerned with the protected status of the osprey within this Commonwealth will be affected by this final-form rulemaking.
(2) The adoption of the amendments of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of the authorizing statutes.
The Commission, acting under the authorizing statutes, orders that: (a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 133, are amended by amending § 133.21 to read as set forth at 46 Pa.B. 6869.
(b) The Executive Director of the Commission shall certify this order and 46 Pa.B. 6869 and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
R. MATTHEW HOUGH, Executive Director
Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48-400 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 17-412. Filed for public inspection March 10, 2017, 9:00 a.m.]