Area Lawmakers Announce DCNR Decision to Continue Feeding Bread to Carp at Linesville Spillway

HARRISBURG – The long-standing tradition of feeding bread to the carp at the Pymatuning State Park Spillway will continue for the foreseeable future, said Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Mercer/Lawrence), Rep. John Evans (R-Erie/Crawford) and Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer).

This final decision from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) follows months of evaluation by the state agency. Last year, DCNR proposed a controversial ban on the feeding of bread in an effort to keep the spillway clean and to discourage overabundance of geese at the spillway.

In order for the federal government, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to manage the geese, both agencies compromised to propose the feeding of fish through fish pellets that would have been sold at the spillway. Last fall, DCNR put the ban on hold for a year to re-evaluate its proposal. In the meantime, visitors to the spillway were allowed to continue feeding bread to the fish.

"The spillway is a tremendous asset to our region and local economy, and I appreciate DCNR and other state agencies coming together to work with us in preserving the time-honored family traditions at the spillway," Brooks said. "I'd like to thank the residents and local businesses for their efforts in the re-evaluation of this monumental decision. Your voices truly made a difference."

"I appreciate that DCNR has respected the wishes of Linesville residents and visitors to our area by permitting bread-feeding at the Pymatuning spillway. Fish feeding at the spillway is such a distinctive element of our local economy, tradition and identity," said Robbins. "A permanent resolution was critical to preserving this enjoyable pastime for many generations to come."

In order for voices to be heard about the proposed ban, the lawmakers called a public meeting in Linesville last September, and more than 350 turned out to oppose the ban.

"We are all very pleased that the decision has been overturned and that this affordable family tradition will be able to continue," said Evans. "At a time when our regional economy is struggling, both visitors and businesses depend on the spillway. It would have been a true shame to diminish a major attraction in our backyard. I applaud DCNR officials and those of the other state agencies involved for re-evaluating the decision and allowing the feeding of bread to continue."

More than 300,000 people visit the spillway each year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Pennsylvania, and a decision to prohibit bread from the spillway would have had a significant impact on local businesses and tourism.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322