| In the near future, we plan to reintroduce legislation that would allow for broader allocation of proceeds from the Lake Erie fishing permit.
Prior to fishing in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, or its tributaries, an angler must purchase a special permit in addition to a fishing license. The proceeds from sales of this permit are deposited into a restricted account within the Fish Fund, to be used “to provide public fishing access or to protect or improve fish habitat” in those waterways.
Drafted with the support of the Fish and Boat Commission as well as the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, an active organization with over 3,000 members dedicated to the improvement of fishing in Lake Erie, this proposal would amend Title 30 (Fish) to provide that the funds generated by the sale of this permit “may also be used for other projects that support public fishing” in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and its tributaries.” This change will allow the Commission to use those funds in ways that improve public fishing in those waterways, but do not necessarily meet the stricter standard currently in use. Also, for purposes of consistency throughout Title 30, the proposal makes technical changes to the language used to describe the permit.
Returning co-sponsors are Senators Boscola, Costa, Fontana, Rafferty, Smith, Vulakovich, White, and Wozniak.
We hope you will consider joining us in sponsoring this legislation.
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