House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	March 21, 2013 01:55 PM
From:	Representative Jaret Gibbons
To:	All House members
Subject:	Gibbons - Provide Funding for Certain High Hazard Dams

In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation that would amend Act 256 of 1955 (Oil and Gas Lease Fund) to provide funding for the repair and reconstruction of high hazard dams that are managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and deemed unsafe. There are 19 high hazard dams managed by the PFBC that have been deemed unsafe. The PFBC estimates that at least $43.1 million is needed to repair these dams. This legislation would amend Act 256 of 1955 by directing 5% of the rents and royalties in the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, not to exceed $6 million annually, to the PFBC. This money would be placed in a restricted account in the Fish Fund to be used only for the repair or reconstruction of high hazard, unsafe dams managed by the PFBC. I believe that this legislation is important because these dams provide boating and fishing opportunities for local residents and attract tourists from Pennsylvania and neighboring states. In addition, since the average angler spends more than $600 annually on fishing, these dams also provide a valuable boost to local economies.
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Introduced as HB1563