Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 71a.10 - Triploid grass carp(a)Policy. As a limited exception to the prohibition of grass carp in this Commonwealth, it is the policy of the Commission to permit triploid grass carp, certified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and procured from a producer participating in the USFWS certification program, to be introduced into Commonwealth waters and imported and transported into this Commonwealth in accordance with this section.(b)Status. The triploid grass carp is not a game fish.(c)Permit required.(1) The Commission finds, under section 2904 of the code (relating to permits for protection and management of particular fish), that permits shall be required for possessing triploid grass carp or introducing them into Commonwealth waters and for importing or transporting triploid grass carp into this Commonwealth to provide for proper protection and management of these fish and other fish in the waters of this Commonwealth. A pond owner, landowner or other person who wishes to possess triploid grass carp and introduce them into a pond or waters located on property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the person shall, before placing triploid grass carp in the waters, obtain from the Commission a triploid grass carp possession/introduction permit, for a fee of $85. A person who wishes to import triploid grass carp into this Commonwealth shall, before doing so, obtain from the Commission a triploid grass carp importation/transportation permit, for a fee of $85. Permits shall be applied for on forms supplied by the Commission. Live triploid grass carp imported and intended for introduction into waters of this Commonwealth shall be in compliance with § 71a.6 (relating to fish health certificate requirements).(2) A person aggrieved by a Commission staff action on a permit application may appeal under Chapter 51, Subchapter E (relating to permit procedures) and 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to the General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure).(d)Dealers and importers. In addition to the triploid grass carp permit required by subsection (c), dealers and importers shall obtain and maintain all licenses, permits and registrations required by the Department for the sale or transportation of fish.(e)Restrictions on introduction of triploid grass carp.(1) The Commission will not approve the stocking or release of triploid grass carp into a water body wholly or partially in this Commonwealth that is currently known to be inhabited by a species of animal or plant currently listed as status endangered, threatened, candidate or other special concern status, by a state or Federal agency with jurisdiction for the species, without prior written approval for the stocking or release by the agency or agencies which classified the species as endangered, threatened, candidate or of special concern.(2) The Commission will not approve stocking or release of triploid grass carp into wetlands under Federal or state jurisdiction except in compliance with applicable Federal or state regulations including, when required, the written approval for the stocking or release by the involved agency or agencies.(3) The Commission will not approve stocking or release of triploid grass carp into a body of water more than 5 acres in surface area until the applicant submits an environmental inspection report prepared by a biologist, fisheries scientist or environmental scientist acceptable to the Commission. The environmental inspection report shall include all of the following:(i) A certification that the preparer has personally inspected the pond or body of water and that the stocking of triploid grass carp will have no adverse environmental impacts on the waters where stocked or waters upstream or downstream of the waters.(ii) A description of the measures taken by the applicant to prevent the escape of the grass carp into waters upstream or downstream of the stocked waters.(iii) Additional information as the Commission may require.(4) The Commission may require an applicant for a permit to stock triploid grass carp in a pond or body of water of 5 or less acres in surface area to submit an environmental inspection report in the format described in paragraph (3) when the staff's review of the application indicates that further inspection or review of the proposed stocking is appropriate under the circumstances.(5) The issuance of permits under this section will be subject to the public notice and comment provisions of Chapter 51, Subchapter E.(f)Prohibited acts.(1) It is unlawful to transport, import, possess or introduce triploid grass carp in this Commonwealth unless the person possessing, transporting, importing or introducing the grass carp obtains and maintains required permits, possesses a valid bill of sale or bill of origin from a producer participating in the USFWS triploid grass carp certification program and the grass carp are certified by the USFWS to be triploid grass carp. Permits shall be displayed upon request to an officer authorized to enforce the code or this part. The certification of triploid status shall be obtained from the producer at the time of purchase.(2) Persons, organizations or companies are prohibited from giving, trading or exchanging triploid grass carp except to persons holding valid triploid grass carp possession/introduction permits.(g)Revocation or suspension of permits. Failure to abide by regulations, permits and permit conditions pertinent to triploid grass carp possession, transportation and introduction may result in suspension or revocation of the applicable permits in accordance with Chapter 51, Subchapter C (relating to suspension, denial or revocation of licenses, permits, registrations or privileges). Revocation or suspension shall be in addition to other applicable penalties provided by law or regulation.Adopted by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 53, No. 38. September 23, 2023, effective 1/1/2024