Notice

Proposed Change to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters

Beaverdam Run, Somerset County

Notice is hereby given that the Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) is considering a change to its list of Class A Wild Trout Streams.  Pursuant to 58 Pa. Code §57.8a (relating to Class A wild trout streams), it is the Commission’s policy to manage self-sustaining Class A wild trout populations as a renewable natural resource to conserve that resource and the angling it provides.  Class A wild trout populations represent the best of Pennsylvania’s naturally reproducing trout fisheries.  The Commission manages these stream sections solely for the perpetuation of the wild trout fishery with no stocking.

At its meeting on July 17 and 18, 2006, the Commission intends to consider removing the following water from the current list of Class A Wild Trout Streams:  Section 01 of Beaverdam Run, a tributary to Laurel Run, Somerset County.  This section extends from a pond outflow at SR 1035 in Daly downstream to a point 1.1 km downstream of the SR 1018 bridge, which is a distance of 3.85 miles.

Under the statement of policy, the criteria for Class A Wild Trout fisheries are species specific.  Wild Trout Abundance Class Criteria include provisions for:

(i)  Wild Brook Trout Fisheries

(A)       Total brook trout biomass of at least 30 kg/ha (26.7 lbs/acre).

(B)       Total biomass of brook trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre).

(C)       Brook trout biomass must comprise at least 75% of the total trout biomass.

(ii)  Wild Brown Trout Fisheries

(A)       Total brown trout biomass of at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre).

(B)       Total biomass of brown trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre).

(C)       Brown trout biomass must comprise at least 75% of the total trout biomass.

(iii)  Mixed Wild Brook and Brown Trout Fisheries

(A)       Combined brook and brown trout biomass of at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre).

(B)       Total biomass of brook trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre).

(C)       Total biomass of brown trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre).

(D)       Brook trout biomass must comprise less than 75% of the total trout biomass.

(E)       Brown trout biomass must comprise less than 75% of the total trout biomass.

(iv)       Wild Rainbow Trout Fisheries

Total biomass of rainbow trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 2.0 kg/ha (1.78 lbs/acre).

In order for a water to be removed from the Class A Wild Trout Streams designation, total trout biomass must be documented below the set criteria for two consecutive stream examinations.

Commission staff conducted stream surveys on Beaverdam Run in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.  In those five consecutive surveys, the stream failed to meet the Class A criteria.  Accordingly, the Commission proposes that Section 01 of Beaverdam Run be removed from the list of Class A Wild Trout Streams.

Persons with comments, objections or suggestions concerning the removal are invited to submit comments in writing to Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.

Comments also may be submitted electronically by completing the form at http://www.state.pa.us/fish/regcomments.  If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt.

FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION:      

                                                                                    Douglas J. Austen, Ph.D.

                                                                                    Executive Director