Councilor McBride asked that the Department consider an earlier opening date for the recreational striped bass fishing season. Mr. Young stated that current data on PCB contamination levels in this species presently precluded opening the striped bass season in June. Fish caught earlier in the Spring had unacceptable PCB levels. He did not know if funding would become available for a new PCB study this year. Mr. Young indicated that letters expressing concern about DEC funding levels for expanded activities such as a new PCBs in striped bass survey should be addressed to Gerry Barnhard, Director of DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources.