The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) this week announced that public input is being accepted related to the agencies’ draft 2025-2035 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan.

This is a non-regulatory plan that encourages all Pennsylvanians to participate in fish and wildlife conservation.

The draft Plan and public comment form are available online. Comments may be submitted through Sept. 19, 2026.

First developed in 2005, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan has been the Commonwealth’s blueprint “to conserve Pennsylvania’s native fish and wildlife, maintain resilient habitat, and protect and enhance Species of Greatest Conservation Need.”

As required by Congress, State Wildlife Action Plans must be revised no less than every 10 years.

Over the past decade, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan and associated funding from State and Tribal Wildlife Grants have been crucial for protecting and recovering at-risk species and their habitats.

A Wildlife Action Plan approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is required for states to receive State & Tribal Wildlife Grant Program funds.

The Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan is scheduled to be delivered to the USFWS by Oct. 1, 2026.

“This Plan reflects our responsibility to protect Pennsylvania’s remarkable variety of wildlife,” said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. “We must be active stewards to carefully manage and protect the Commonwealth’s natural resources.”

“The Wildlife Action Plan is a call to action to help protect, conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s fish and wildlife,” said PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer. “Our state is home to an incredible diversity of fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians, and we are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring their sustainability for generations to come.”

The revised draft plan has 858 Species of Greatest Need including 86 birds, 21 mammals, 19 amphibians, 18 reptiles, 47 fishes and 667 invertebrates that require attention.

Executive Order ensures data center regulations, empowers communities

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday detailing new requirements for data center projects in Pennsylvania.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is encouraged to see that the Governor’s Office is building transparency into the data center construction process in the Commonwealth.

Without proper oversight, data centers can threaten the health and well-being of Pennsylvania communities, compromise air quality, and put local streams, the Susquehanna River, and the Chesapeake Bay at risk.

Requiring developers to report energy and water use is essential to understanding the environmental impacts of these large-scale industrial projects.

Data centers can place significant demands on surface and groundwater supplies, increase electricity bills, and fill communities with persistent noise and harmful air pollution from diesel generators.

These new requirements will help communities better understand the potential threats and support efforts to protect clean drinking water, healthy air, and a high quality of life for Pennsylvanians.

CBF Pennsylvania Director of Science Policy and Advocacy Harry Campbell issued the following statement

“Pennsylvania continues to move in the right direction in fighting the mounting challenges posed by data center projects. Now that these facilities are required to report their electricity and water usage, we can better understand potential threats. The executive order signed by Gov. Shapiro establishes stronger safeguards, greater transparency, and added accountability to the data center industry.”

Penn State Extension to offer workshop on egg safety for small flocks

Whether individuals have an established small poultry flock or are considering starting one, knowing how to manage a surplus of eggs is essential, according to organizers of an upcoming Penn State Extension workshop.

“Small Flock Egg Production: From the Coop to the Kitchen” will teach participants about best management practices for food safety and product quality, covering everything from the chicken coop to the kitchen.

The workshop will occur from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 3, at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 3939 Park Road, Selinsgrove.

Participants will learn how to safely manage and make the most of fresh eggs from small backyard flocks. This hands-on workshop will explore best management practices for egg handling, including egg collection, washing, storage, preservation, and cooking with food safety and product quality in mind.

A lunch will be provided during the workshop. The registration fee is $15.

To register, visit extension.psu.edu/small-flock-egg-production-from-the-coop-to-the-kitchen. Those without internet access can call 877-345-0691. Registrations are due by Sept. 25, as space is limited for in-person participants.

$20M investment secured to clean up hazardous sites throughout Pa.

The 2026-27 budget signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro included a one-time $20 million transfer to support the the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) program, allowing DEP to continue critical state-led site investigations and remediation projects while the Commonwealth works toward identifying a permanent funding source for this important environmental and public health work.

Since 2023, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has invested more than $100 million to support over 800 completed Act 2 cleanups and investigations and remediation projects at more than 150 hazardous sites across Pennsylvania — protecting public health, restoring communities, putting contaminated properties back to productive use, and creating new opportunities for economic growth across Pennsylvania.

The HSCA program conducts initial investigations into land and water pollution to identify responsible parties. When none can be found, HSCA funding supports cleanup solutions such as land remediation and water treatment. The program also drives economic development by supporting redevelopment through Pennsylvania’s Act 2 program, which has approved 13,688 cleanups across all 67 counties since 1995.

Harveys Lake access to be closed temporarily for improvements

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) this week announced that the Harveys Lake Access, which provides fishing and boating access to Harveys Lake in Luzerne County, will be temporarily closed from Aug. 24-25, 2026.

During this time, improvements will be made to the parking area.

The PFBC thanks the public for their patience and understanding as these improvements are completed.​

BACK WOODS BASS RESULTS

Week of Aug. 9

Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.

Monday Night

River Tournament

1st Place: John Centak/Ron Dopko 5.95 lbs

2nd Place: Brad Glazenski/Keith Stevens 5.90 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 1.86 lbs

3rd Place: Bread Keen/Austin Swartwood 5.12 lbs

4th Place: Jerry & Jerry Vitale 2.50 lbs

5th Place: Bob & Cindy 2.00 lbs

Wednesday Night

Harveys Lake Lunker Tournament

1st Place: Andy Judge 4.96 lbs

2nd Place: Ron Burd 4.75 lbs

3rd Place: Ryan Borton 3.53 lbs

4th Place: Jake Seymour 3.43 lbs

5th Place: Steven Bell 3.20 lbs

6th Place: Jared Adamski 3.17 lbs

7th Place: Greg Mikulski Jr. 2.73 lbs

8th Place: Eric Jarnot 2.70 lbs

9th Place: Dave Brill 2.66 lbs

10th Place: Greg Mikulski lll 2.54 lbs

Friday Night

Harveys Lake Tournament

1st Place: Nate & Howard Hazeltine 12.80 lbs

2nd Place: Jake &d Kevin Seymour 11.75 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 3.97 lbs

3rd Place: Johnny Niezgoda 10.00 lbs

4th Place: Bread Keen/Austin Swartwood 4.77 lbs

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