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While some may have been excited at the prospect of the American marten being reintroduced in Pennsylvania and chances to see the animal in the wild, that excitement was met with slight disappointment on Saturday, April 13.
During its meeting in Harrisburg, the Board of Game Commissioners postponed indefinitely the final acceptance of the 2024-2033 American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan, which calls for returning the native furbearer to Pennsylvania.
The Board of Game Commissioners had a split vote.
According to the Game Commission's public meeting remarks, "the plan outlines a long-term, 10-year strategy to translocate the species back to the state then conduct long-term monitoring to evaluate the reintroduction. It includes strategies on communications, partner engagement, costs and timeliness."
Commissioners Robert Schwalm, Scott Foradora, Allen Di Marco, Stanley Knick, Todd Pride and Dennis Fredericks all voted to postpone the adoption of the plan. They were also the first who suggested the idea.
Those who opposed the postponement were Commissioners Michael Mitrick, Haley Sankey and Kristen Koppenhafer.
According to the meeting, commissioners said they've heard from numerous individuals about the issue and want to address their concerns before moving forward.
Fredericks did note that people shouldn't focus on the word indefinitely, as the board could possibly revisit marten reintroduction soon.
"I believe in a short amount of time we will have an affirmative decision," President Commissioner Scott Foradora said in a statement.
One of the main concerns, according to the meeting, was "potential impacts of martens on prey species, potential impacts of other predators on martens and the suitability of habitat in areas martens would be released."
According to the Game Commission's agenda, "In accordance with Goal 1.3b of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Strategic Plan 2020-2023 and as authorized by the Commission at its July 9, 2022 meeting, Commission staff developed an American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan for Pennsylvania."
The agenda goes on to state how the plan is part of a long-term, 10-year strategy to "translocate the species back to the state and then conduct long-term monitoring to evaluate the reintroduction. Communication strategies, partner engagement, costs, and timelines are also included."
Information regarding the release of the proposed American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan was noted at the Sept. 16, 2023 Pennsylvania Game Commission meeting as part of a 60-day public comment period.
At the Jan. 27 meeting of this year, the commission voted 6-3 to table the proposed plan in order to collect more information on the habitat and human dimensions elements of the potential reintroduction.
The Game Commission considered all comments and revisions to the plan were made. According to the Game Commission, staff compiled data confirming habitat suitability of potential reintroduction sites and clarified the underlying reasons for supportive or neutral attitudes towards marten reintroduction among respondents to hunter surveys.
The Game Commission also noted that the Bureau of Wildlife Management requested final acceptance of the 2024-2033 American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan.
The marten measures between 19-27 inches from nose to tail and weighs between just one and three pounds. The range of the marten extends from Alaska, across Canada, and down into Maine while New Hampshire, Vermont and New York all have marten populations as do some states in the upper Midwest.
Breeding for the marten is within July and August. Martens eat mostly small animals, which accounts for nearly 70% of its diet, but also eats plants, birds, squirrels, rabbits and mustelids.
Clinton County at one point in history saw the highest densities found of martens in the state, along with Warren, McKean, Potter, Forest, Elk and Cameron counties.