2018 Fall Run Banquet Highlights:
On November 3rd, the PSA held it’s annual Fall Run Banquet at the Colony Banquet and Catering Center. We honored a number of people and organizations that were truly deserving of recognition.
The first groups and individuals honored were part of organizations that have successfully acquired Access for our Steelhead fishery. The individuals honored representing these organizations are hard working and dedicated people that are driven by a passion to keep our beautiful streams and lands open to the public.
Honored Guest and First District Commissioner of the PFBC, Ed Mascharka, spoke about the herculean job these groups have done to work with and find individuals that would be willing to sell property or easements to the PFBC , the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Lake Erie Region Conservancy. These groups often work with the PFBC to be the Stewards of these properties once maintained.
Commissioner Mascharka introduced Dave Skellie, Coastal Land Use & Economic Specialist from Pennsylvania Sea Grant , who along with Tom Cermak, work hand in hand with Scott Bollinger, (Statewide Public Access Program Manager) of the PFBC, contact land owners and start the process of attaining easement or buying land. They then have to procure all the financing and do appraisals, pre and post, to obtaining the lands.
Also instrumental in the procurement of lands are the Lake Erie Region Conservancy who’s Executive Director is long time are public land steward, Tom Fuhrman. Tom has worked on projects like acquiring the land that became The Bluffs State Park!
Last to mention, but a group that plays a huge role in both land acquisition and stream restoration projects is the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and their Watershed Manager for the Upper Allegheny & Lake Erie, Kylie Maland. “The Western PA Conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with CLEAN WATERS and healthy forest, wildlife and NATURAL AREAS for the benefit of present and future generations.” Kylie spoke of the many projects in which the Western Pa Conservancy has been involved in Erie county. Included are the Stop Sign Hole at the Walnut Creek Access Area and the ongoing project of stream restoration on the Conservancy property off of North Creek Road above the railroad tubes.
The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association is very appreciative of all their efforts to enhance our fishery and again wishes to say THANK YOU!
Karl Weixlmann was awarded the PSA Angler Award for 2018!
All were featured in the December 2018 TightLines newsletter.
