Pa. Fish and Boat Commission Deserves Marcellus Shale Money
Washington PA Observer Reporter
30 May 2010
Everyone wants a piece of the pie. When legalized gambling entered the
picture, every group wanted some of the money.
No one considered a political promise of lower property taxes, but
sought funds for playgrounds and every other cause.
The new cure all is potential money from drilling for gas deep into the
Marcellus shale.
One organization that would like a piece of the pie has a legitimate
reason for its request. Who has the responsibility for protecting the
state's waterways? The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
With the far greater possibility of stream damage from the drilling, it
would seem to place a greater burden and a need for more enforcement
personnel on the commission.
If any state department deserves a piece of the potential tax money it
would be the fish and boat commission. Drilling in the northern tier
with its small pristine brooks will be a worry and someone needs to
stand guard.