MIKE BRAUN Group opposes horsepower limit increase at Pymatuning

Cleveland Chapter #23 of Muskies Inc., a national muskellunge fishing organization, has posted a petition online opposing a proposed increase in the horsepower limit for Pymatuning Reservoir.
"We believe that raising the limit will ... open a Pandora's Box ... and harm one of the few peaceful reservoirs in the area," said Michael Quigley, a spokesman for the club. The petition can be viewed, signed and sent to state officials from www.petitiononline.com/PYMAHP/petition.html.
Quigley said the issue has upset anglers. "Our concern is will they commit to the 20 horsepower limit? Honestly, we don't trust [the state agencies involved]," he said.
The horsepower issue was raised early in 2002 when Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced a pilot program to increase the horsepower limits at six state park lakes from 10 to 18 horsepower. On Aug. 1 of this year, the limit at those six lakes was increased again, this time by 2 horsepower, to 20.
The raises affected Lake Marburg, Codorus State Park, York County; Lake Wilhelm, Maurice K. Goddard State Park, Mercer County; Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park, Butler County; Lake Nockamixon, Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County; Glendale Lake, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County; and Yellow Creek Lake, Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana County.
Pymatuning also targeted
Pymatuning Reservoir at Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County also was targeted for a horsepower increase in 2002 and again in August. However, the raises here could not be implemented because the lake straddles Pennsylvania and Ohio and approval by both states is needed
Ron Kus, business group manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation, said Ohio has not yet introduced legislation to increase the horsepower limits at Pymatuning.
"We've spent the past year working with [Pennsylvania] DCNR staff on the Pymatuning issue," Kus said. "Since the lake is in both states, we must both agree and develop a compact about the increase."
A series of public meetings were also held in both Pennsylvania and Ohio on the topic and raised few objections, officials said.
Kus said that both states have agreed on the departmental level that the Pymatuning horsepower limits should be raised to 20.
"We're currently trying to get an agreement signed by the [Pennsylvania DCNR] secretary and our [Ohio Department of Natural Resources] director," Kus said.
He said the agreement was expected soon and, once that is received, work on legislation would likely be the next step.
He added, "We don't believe that the 20 horsepower limit will change the characteristics of the lake."
Pennsylvania officials have concurred in the past.
"It is important to keep in mind that these changes are minor and will not significantly change the character of the lakes involved," Michael DiBerardinis, the Pennsylvania DCNR secretary said in an recent press release.
Boaters on these lakes who routinely circumvented the previously posted 10-hp limit by altering their boats' motors are one of the reasons for the limit increases, Ohio and Pennsylvania officials said.
Quigley said he was aware of the motor subterfuge. "We all know about the 'Pymatuning 10'," he said. "It is really a 15 [horsepower motor] with a 10 horsepower sticker."
Although outboards larger than 20 horsepower are allowed on boats used in all Pennsylvania state park lakes, they can be operated only in those lakes approved for unlimited horsepower, according to state park rules.
PWCs, towing prohibited
It should also be noted, officials from both states said, that the increased horsepower limits also come with a stipulation that there be no personal watercraft (Jet skis, etc.) allowed nor water skiing or recreational towing of any type.
Another reason cited by state officials for the increase is to allow boaters, specifically pontoon boaters, to make it safely to a dock in case of inclement weather. Smaller motors on these types of boats can't propel them fast enough in case of a storm, officials in Pennsylvania and Ohio have said.
A big lake
"It is a big lake; we want people to be able to get off quickly," Kus said.
But Quigley discounted that reason., "How many people have they had to rescue?" he asked. "I have more concerns because that lake is very shallow. They're going to have guys in aluminum boats tearing the bottoms off with the larger motors."
Despite the explanations, Quigley said Muskies Inc. and other boaters have "real reservations" about the proposed change.
"There's enough other large horsepower lakes in the area," he said.
braun@vindy.com