Plans to reintroduce American Marten in Pennsylvania delayed 'indefinitely'

The Board of Game Commissioners Saturday voted to indefinitely postpone plans to reintroduce the American Marten to Pennsylvania.

In a 6 to 3 vote, commissioners postponed final acceptance of the 2024-2033 American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan, but they say the delay might not be too long.

2024-2033 American Marten Reintroduction and Management 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,” according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. “It includes strategies on communications, partner engagement, costs and timelines.”

The board reportedly tabled adoption of the plan so more information could be collected about habitat and human factors related to reintroduction.

Commissioners say they have heard concerns about reintroducing the weasel-like furbearer.

This concerns include potential impacts to marten prey species and other predators on martens.

They say they want to address those concerns before moving forward.

“In the meantime, no one should get too hung up on the word ‘indefinitely,’” Fredericks added. “The board could revisit marten reintroduction soon, perhaps even before the end of the year.”

The Board of Game Commissioners first voted 6 to 3 back in January to delay the reintroduction plan.

A once common species, the American marten was wiped out in Pennsylvania more than 120 years ago.