Governor Rendell Appoints PA Wilds Adviser to Serve as Liaison to Council on

Dan Surra to Continue Advising DCNR Secretary on PA Wilds Issues
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that he has named Dan Surra to serve as his primarysportsmen's adviser and to lead the Governor's Council on Fishing, Hunting and Conservation.
In January, Surra joined DCNR as a senior adviser on the Pennsylvania Wilds.He will continue to serve in that role, but expand his responsibilities toinclude fishing, hunting and conservation issues."The nature of Dan's current role and his love of hunting and the outdoorsmake this appointment a natural fit," said Governor Rendell. "Hunting andfishing are an important part of life for millions of Pennsylvanians and,oftentimes, are treasured pastimes and traditions shared by multiplegenerations in a family. These sportsmen are also fantastic stewards of ournatural resources because they understand how precious our environment is."The sports also represent big business for communities across the state,particularly in the northern tier and PA Wilds region. Each year, hunting andfishing activities bring in billions of dollars to rural areas--not just fromPennsylvania residents, but from sportsmen visiting from out-of-state.
"Having someone like Dan, with his qualifications and interests, serve in thisrole and maintain a positive working relationship and dialogue with thissegment of our population is good news that offers promising continuedopportunities for this important segment of our economy and will help ensureeveryone is working together to preserve our God-given natural resources."Born and raised in Pennsylvania's northern tier, Surra is a lifelongoutdoorsman and possesses an intimate knowledge of state regulations andeconomic development. His efforts during 18 years in the General Assemblyhelped shape the PA Wilds initiative starting with the early promotion of elkwatching in the region. As a senior adviser to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resourcessecretary, Surra works with hunting and fishing organizations towards thestewardship and conservation goals embodied in the PA Wilds initiative andassists DCNR in addressing the balance between growing the region as a naturetourism destination and developing Marcellus Shale natural gas resources.In his additional role as an adviser to the Governor on fishing, hunting andconservation matters, Surra will oversee matters affecting sportsmen and themanagement of Pennsylvania's natural resources by state agencies. The adviseracts as the state government's advocate for sportsmen and develops andimplements, with the Governor's approval, policies and programs to supportthis mission. As a liaison between the Sportsmen's Advisory Council and theGovernor, Surra will convey council recommendations to Governor Rendell. All agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction cooperate with the council andprovide staff assistance and information as needed to carry out itsresponsibilities effectively. The council is administered under the Departmentof Conservation of Natural Resources."It's a real honor for me to be able to serve Governor Rendell and thesportsmen and women of Pennsylvania in this role, which is certainly importantto me personally as a lifelong outdoorsman, and to the Pennsylvania Wildsregion that I currently serve," Surra said. "I think these responsibilitieswill blend nicely with my focus on growing the Pennsylvania Wilds as a naturetourism destination."Surra will take on the expanded role under his current salary. The positionwas previously held by Robert Miller Jr., who resigned on Friday, Oct. 23.For more information on the PA Wilds initiative, visit www.pawilds.com.Media contacts: Gary Tuma, 717-783-1116SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the GovernorGary Tuma of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116