Horsepower Raised on Pymatuning Lake

Increase will Benefit Tourism, Improve Safety

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed legislation on Thursday to increase the boat horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake from 9.9 to 20.

Pennsylvania State Senator Bob Robbins (PA-50), whose district encompasses the Pennsylvania portion of the lake, was very pleased with the new law. Following a meeting between Senator Robbins and Ohio officials to discuss the tourism and safety benefits of a horsepower increase, Ohio State Representative Deborah Newcomb agreed to introduce legislation to implement the increase.

"Pennsylvania passed identical legislation in 2004, but due to the federal Pymatuning Lake Compact, both Pennsylvania and Ohio needed to pass identical legislation before an increase could take affect," said Senator Robbins. "This new law is important for several reasons. Boaters need to be able to get off the lake to shelter in a hurry when storms blow up. Also, increasing the limit to twenty horsepower will greatly benefit tourism in the Pymatuning Lake area."

Pennsylvania has already boosted its limit to 20 horsepower on the 14,650-acre border lake it jointly manages with Ohio. The Ohio legislation included an emergency clause to make the law effective immediately when Governor Strickland signed the bill into law.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322