PRINTER'S NO. 2339
No. 263 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY SURRA, BELARDI, ITKIN, COLAIZZO, CORRIGAN,
BENNINGHOFF, READSHAW, LAUGHLIN, GEORGE, ROSS, OLASZ,
JAROLIN, DiGIROLAMO, BARLEY, BEBKO-JONES, ROBERTS, HALUSKA,
MELIO, McNAUGHTON, MAYERNIK, LEVDANSKY, CURRY, ORIE,
SCHRODER, TRAVAGLIO, JOSEPHS, SHANER, TANGRETTI, LYNCH,
C. WILLIAMS, HENNESSEY, CAWLEY, WALKO, CLYMER, CAPPABIANCA,
COY, BAKER, BUNT, JADLOWIEC, PESCI, PIPPY, GIGLIOTTI, HERMAN,
SANTONI, M. N. WRIGHT, BELFANTI, S. H. SMITH, TIGUE,
FAIRCHILD, B. SMITH, GEIST, MANDERINO, GODSHALL, LUCYK,
RAMOS, STABACK, M. COHEN, SEYFERT, STURLA, HESS, WOJNAROSKI,
HUTCHINSON AND STEELMAN, OCTOBER 6, 1997
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 6, 1997
A RESOLUTION
1 Commending the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
2 WHEREAS, Since its first Pennsylvania project in 1991, the
3 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and its partners have
4 expended more than $525,000 in conserving and enhancing nearly
5 2,600 acres of wildlife habitat in this Commonwealth; and
6 WHEREAS, The RMEF supports an ongoing, comprehensive
7 cooperative management program for Pennsylvania's elk and elk
8 habitat, an area consisting of approximately 227 square miles;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, By conducting a series of forage enhancement
11 projects on public lands and working with local farmers, this
12 program aims to draw elk toward expansive State forest lands in
1 the southern portion of their range; and
2 WHEREAS, Since implementing this program in 1991,
3 agricultural conflicts have reduced dramatically, and the
4 State's elk herd continues to grow; and
5 WHEREAS, The RMEF has funded various habitat enhancement
6 projects at Elk, Moshannon and Sproul State forests and the
7 Quehanna Wild Area to improve forage for elk, deer, bear,
8 turkeys and other wildlife; and
9 WHEREAS, The RMEF has produced informational brochures to
10 promote public awareness, appreciation and management of the
11 State's elk herd; and
12 WHEREAS, The RMEF has helped develop a wildlife viewing area
13 at Dent's Run to enhance the public's opportunity to view wild
14 elk in their natural environment; and
15 WHEREAS, Future plans include the addition of interpretive
16 displays highlighting elk natural history as well as their
17 history in Pennsylvania, research and local conservation and
18 management achievements; and
19 WHEREAS, The RMEF has constructed a portable elk trap and
20 purchased radio collars to facilitate elk relocation and
21 management in this Commonwealth; and
22 WHEREAS, The RMEF has assisted development of six trunks
23 containing "hands-on" materials on elk natural history, research
24 and management for classroom use Statewide; and
25 WHEREAS, The RMEF has provided scholarships to qualified
26 applicants participating in a nationwide program aimed at
27 introducing and instructing women in outdoor skills development,
28 particularly hunting and fishing; therefore be it
29 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives thank and commend
30 the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for its outstanding work in
19970H0263R2339 - 2 -
1 restoring and maintaining an ever-increasing elk herd in this
2 Commonwealth.
J1L82MRD/19970H0263R2339 - 3 -