Mar 5, 2016 3 min read

A new initiative unveiled last week by a nationwide panel of 26 energy, business and conservation leaders would dedicate $1.3 billion in funding to help states address conservation needs across the United States.

Patterned after the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2000, which failed to clear Congress, the initiative from the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources calls for the reallocation of existing royalties from on- and offshore oil and gas development and mineral extraction to fish and wildlife conservation.

There are $10 billion in revenues from traditional and renewable energy development and mineral development on federal lands and waters.

“It is our responsibility to lead the way, so our state fish and wildlife agencies have the resources they need to conserve species and manage our natural resources – the future of our industry and the outdoor sports we love depend on this investment,” said panel co-chairman John L. Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.

“Redirecting revenues from energy and mineral development to state-based conservation is a simple, logical solution, and it is now up to our leaders in Congress to move this concept forward.”

For obvious reasons, the proposal drew immediate praise from Pennsylvania Game Commission, which is struggling to make ends meet.

“If Pennsylvanians no longer hunted and we couldn’t sell hunting licenses, wildlife would fall on incredibly hard times,” explained agency Executive Director R. Matthew Hough, a graduate of Trinity High School. “That’s why it’s so critically important to establish other revenue streams to support the 480 species for which we are responsible.

“The Game Commission cares about all wildlife, but without sufficient funding, we’re forced to make management sacrifices that keep us up at night.”

The initiative must get through Congress, something the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2000 failed to do. But if it does, it could add a much-needed boost to conservation across the country.

• The trout stocking trucks rolled out across the area last week, signalling the start spring for many.

In Washington County, Dutch Fork Creek’s Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures only area, Tenmile Creek and Mingo Creek were all stocked early in the week.

Browns Creek in Greene County received a stocking early last week.

In Westmoreland County, Loyalhanna Creek also received its preseason stocking of trout.

The trucks will continue to roll through the area over the next month and a half leading up to the traditional opening of trout season March 16.

This, of course, means we still have a couple of nice snowfalls remaining before we truly hit spring. But it’s just around the corner.

• The Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen’s Club won its 13th consecutive match to improve to a league-best 13-1 in the Pittsburgh and Suburban Rifle League with a 1,469-1,431 win over Allegheny last week.

Dean Trew led the winners with a 296, while Matt Piatt shot a 295, Rick Janoski 294, Fritz Hempelmann and Tom Benedict 292 each. Dan Eichenlaub led Allegheny with a 292.

Frazier-Simplex remained right on the heals of the league leaders, firing a 1,483 in a win over Irwin Post 228. Zac Szabo had a 298, Syliva Dreistadt and Jim Mounts 297, John Husk 296 and Cyril Walther 295 for Frazier (12-2).

Outdoors Editor F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.