The process of listing endangered species in Pennsylvania is about to get a hearing.
Companion bills in the state House and Senate are aimed at making the two independent commissions in charge of the designations run their regulations past another commission, as well as legislative committees.
Republican Rep. Jeff Pyle of Armstrong County, who’s sponsoring the House measure, says labeling animals “endangered” affects industry permits, so an appeal process should be in place.
"We’ve had questions as to their science and there’s been a lot of objection to there not being an appeal process and it’s come from a hell of a lot of sectors," he said. "I mean, lumbermen, coal guys, builders, gas guys."
Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission says the proposals would strip its authority.
The state’s Game Commission, which is responsible for listing birds and mammals, says the bill would increase its burden of determining the presence of an endangered species, when industries currently applying for permits have to clear a higher hurdle.
