For local fishermen and boating enthusiasts, the Muncy access — or lack thereof — has been somewhat of a hot topic. As many of us who frequently used the Muncy access know, the access to the Susquehanna River has been closed for quite some time now due to silt buildup from Muncy Creek. Actually, calling it a silt buildup is putting it mildly; there are island land masses built up with trees growing on top in front of the now too shallow to use boat launch. The Fish and Boat Commission closed the site, but some continued to launch kayaks and canoes. Eventually someone was actually fined for entering the area — apparently just to check water levels.

With the Muncy launch being closed, access to some of the areas good fishing was not possible — except for canoes and kayaks and for those who wanted to take some risks and run jet boats into that portion of the river. Well, all of that may be changing — albeit it may be a slow process. Last week, John Arway, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission notified me that he and Representative Garth Everett would be making an official public announcement that funding was now available to build a new access launch.

At the gathering, Everett announced that the state had “identified” funding of up to $250,000 for a new boat launch. A thank-you was extended to Senator Yaw’s office for his support, as well as the support of Chad Gray, his cousin Mike Gray, Mike Ott, Charlie Hall and others who helped organize and support a Facebook page effort to bring attention to the project. With the hard work of the “grassroots” folks and Everett’s office, a letter writing campaign to politicians helped bring attention to the local access project.

Arway also made it clear at last week’s meeting that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was prepared to match the $250,000 from the state, making $500,000 available for the new launch site. John also said that a “new” site was being sought after because engineers didn’t think it was wise to invest in repairs in the old access especially since such repair would not likely last anyway. Other sites in the general area are being looked at, but no specific location has been identified at this point.

Even though many of us locals would like to have something done much sooner, Arway did say that it was “record speed for the government” to come up with funding for the project. Now, even though the funding has been approved, don’t expect to be launching a boat by the end of next summer. The truth is it will likely take a couple of years until site acquisition and construction is complete. In a recent conservation with Chad Gray, we both agreed that the new launch site could be even more than a couple of years away because of the usual “red tape” and potential hold-ups.

In any event, at least the wheels are turning in a positive direction thanks to all those who helped bring it to the attention of the politicians. Thanks also to John Arway of the Fish and Boat Commission for his efforts and for a job well done at the commission, despite some difficult opposition at times. By the time you read this John will be officially retired from the commission and enjoying a lot more fishing of his own. In the meantime, I plan to launch my canoe and float that stretch a time or two.