The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission at their meeting granted preliminary approval to amend regulations that would prohibit the operation of electric motors at greater than slow, no-wake speed on lakes that the PA Commission owns or controls.

The move was in response to advancement in electric motors that have produced a variety of higher-powered options up to 180 horsepower and 60 miles per hour.

Director of the PA Bureau of Boating Laurel Anders said, “The measure does limit boaters, but it will also align with the original intent of the regulations. It was to reduce noise, reduce wake and emission damage to the shorelines. Faster and more powerful electric motors are coming out. This will help us to get ahead of the technology.”

As of now, the new motors are pricey, but they are expected to become more affordable in the future, which is why the Fish and Boat Commission is acting now. While the measure still needs final approval at a future meeting, the Game Commission is ready to follow a similar course. 

At the Game Commission’s board meeting was a motion to restrict boats propelled by electric motors to a no-wake speed on the Commission’s owned or controlled waterways.

The reason for the new rule is the same as the Fish and Boat Commission’s rationale, as advancements in electric motors have resulted in faster, more powerful options. 

It was said at the Game Commission’s meeting that the current cost of the newer electric motors is around $8,500, plus another $5,000 for a matching deep-cycle battery. When these costs come down, the commission expects usage of the high-powered electric motors to increase. 

People who use boats on Game Commission lakes include waterfowl hunters, trappers, and anglers.  

Game Commission Communications Director Travis Lau said, “When it comes to impacts on wildlife, you have to take proactive measures. To have some limits like this makes sense.” 

The majority of the Commission’s ponds and lakes are in the northwest region with 812, the northeast region has 399 and the southeast region has 137.

Color Replica Firearms!

New York’s new replica firearms law is now in effect. NY Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that requires imitation weapons to be easily identifiable to prevent them from being used to commit crimes and allow law enforcement to identify a device as fake when assessing threats. This law took effect on November 13, 2022.

Replica firearms cannot be black, blue, silver or aluminum, and must be colored white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, bright purple, or be made entirely of transparent or translucent materials. 

According to data released by the office of the Attorney General, there have been at least 63 shootings in New York State because of individuals mistaking imitation weapons for real firearms, eight of which have resulted in fatalities, and hundreds of crimes have been committed in New York City with imitation weapons.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & a Happy New Year!