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 primary sportsmen'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 to include fishing, hunting and conservation issues.
"The nature of Dan's current role and his love of hunting and the outdoors make this appointment a natural fit," said Governor Rendell. "Hunting and fishing are an important part of life for millions of Pennsylvanians and, oftentimes, are treasured pastimes and traditions shared by multiple generations in a family. These sportsmen are also fantastic stewards of our natural 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 and fishing activities bring in billions of dollars to rural areas--not just from Pennsylvania residents, but from sportsmen visiting from out-of-state.
"Having someone like Dan, with his qualifications and interests, serve in this role and maintain a positive working relationship and dialogue with this segment of our population is good news that offers promising continued opportunities for this important segment of our economy and will help ensure everyone is working together to preserve our God-given natural resources."
Born and raised in Pennsylvania's northern tier, Surra is a lifelong outdoorsman and possesses an intimate knowledge of state regulations and economic development. His efforts during 18 years in the General Assembly helped shape the PA Wilds initiative starting with the early promotion of elk watching in the region.
As a senior adviser to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary, Surra works with hunting and fishing organizations towards the stewardship and conservation goals embodied in the PA Wilds initiative and assists DCNR in addressing the balance between growing the region as a nature tourism destination and developing Marcellus Shale natural gas resources.
In his additional role as an adviser to the Governor on fishing, hunting and conservation matters, Surra will oversee matters affecting sportsmen and the management of Pennsylvania's natural resources by state agencies. The adviser acts as the state government's advocate for sportsmen and develops and implements, with the Governor's approval, policies and programs to support this mission. As a liaison between the Sportsmen's Advisory Council and the Governor, Surra will convey council recommendations to Governor Rendell.
All agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction cooperate with the council and provide staff assistance and information as needed to carry out its responsibilities effectively. The council is administered under the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources.
"It's a real honor for me to be able to serve Governor Rendell and the sportsmen and women of Pennsylvania in this role, which is certainly important to me personally as a lifelong outdoorsman, and to the Pennsylvania Wilds region that I currently serve," Surra said. "I think these responsibilities will blend nicely with my focus on growing the Pennsylvania Wilds as a nature tourism destination."
Surra will take on the expanded role under his current salary. The position was 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, 717-783-1116
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
