Meeting set on spillway bread ban

By Monica Pryts
Herald Staff Writer

ESPYVILLE, LINESVILLE August 27, 2008 08:37 pm

— State lawmakers are hosting a public meeting Sept. 8 to discuss the upcoming ban on the longtime tradition of feeding bread to the carp at the Linesville Spillway at Pymatuning State Park.
The meeting will also cover other tourism issues and is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the North Shenango Area Community Center, 2857 state Route 285, Espyville.
It will be hosted by Rep. Michele Brooks, Jamestown, R-17th District, Sen. Robert D. “Bob” Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District, and Rep. John Evans, Sadsbury Township, R-5th District.
Starting Jan. 1, visitors will be prohibited from tossing bread to the fish. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation says bread and other items like donuts aren’t healthy for the fish and bread wrappers and other litter have been a problem for the fish and ducks that inhabit the spillway.
Spillway visitors can instead buy pellets to feed to the fish. More than 300,000 people visit the spillway each year, according to a news release the lawmakers issued Wednesday.
Mrs. Brooks has been fighting to preserve what she calls a long-standing, affordable family tradition that’s had a significant impact on local tourism, she said.
“I have heard from hundreds of area residents, business owners and tourists about the impact this will have on recreational opportunities in Crawford County. People should have their voices heard publicly regarding this decision as well as the impact it will have on tourism and local businesses,” she said.
Robbins said his office has also received countless phone calls, e-mails and personal visits about the bread ban, which has incited people’s passions.
The spillway has been a part of families’ summer outings since the 1930s and is one of the largest tourist attractions in Crawford County. The ban will impact businesses in neighboring counties, Evans said.
On online petition to preserve the tradition can be signed online at RepMicheleBrooks.com and RepEvans.com The petition and comments gathered from the meeting will be turned over to state officials for consideration.

Info: 724-588-8911.