PA GAME COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENTS ON BEAVER MANAGEMENT PLAN
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking public input on a draft beaver management plan, which can be reviewed on the agency’s website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the “Draft Beaver Management Plan” icon under the large photo in the center of the homepage.
Public comments on the agency’s beaver management plan will be accepted until March 3, via the website or by mail to: Beaver Management Plan, Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.
“We are seeking public comment on the draft beaver management plan to ensure the resulting final management plan considers the thoughts and concerns of Pennsylvanians about this species,” said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. “As written, the plan is science-based, progressive and promotes responsible management. We’re interested in hearing from Pennsylvanians who would like to offer comments, and to see if we’ve missed something or if they share our management vision for the future.”
Developed by biologists with the agency’s Game Mammal Section, the beaver management plan establishes management goals through 2019. Those goals are to: establish sustained beaver populations within suitable habitat; monitor the beaver harvest; minimize beaver damage complaints; increase public awareness and knowledge of the benefits of beavers and their habitat; and provide sustained opportunities to use and experience beavers.
“Pennsylvania’s beaver management plan provides the necessary direction to achieve enhanced population, habitat, and harvest monitoring, improved beaver damage understanding, tolerance, and problem resolution, increased public awareness and knowledge of beaver-provided benefits, and sustained resource opportunities for both consumptive and non-consumptive users of this valuable animal in Pennsylvania,” said Tom Hardisky, Game Commission furbearer biologist, and author of the draft beaver management plan. “Only through careful planning and sound science will we maintain a healthy balance between beavers and humans, and establish and manage sustained beaver populations, much like the Native Americans did centuries ago.”
For more information about beavers, visit the Game Commission’s website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us) and put your cursor on “Wildlife” in the menu bar at the top of the page, click on “Wildlife Notes” and then click on “Beaver” in the alphabetical listing of Wildlife Notes.
Jan. 3, 2011
For Information Contact:
Jerry Feaser
717-705-6541
PGCNews@state.pa.us
