Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 4. Biological Resourcesplaces in a county for rare, threatened, and endangered species, as well as unique natural communities.Additionally, landscape level elements, such as large contiguous blocks of forest and high-qualitywatersheds, are also identified. The final product of the CNHI is a report highlighting specific areas andgiving detailed management recommendations for their protection. The report should be utilized by localmunicipalities, counties, utility companies, and groups involved with comprehensive planning, zoning,review of development proposals, and other objectives.The PNHP is a collaborative organization dedicated to the collection, tracking, and interpretation ofinformation regarding Pennsylvania’s biodiversity. PNHP partners include WPC, DCNR, PGC, andPFBC. PNHP is a member of NatureServe, which coordinates natural heritage efforts in all 50 U.S.states, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.The Connoquenessing Creek watershed is located inAllegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence counties. All ofthe counties have completed CNHIs. PNHP is currentlyconducting an update on the Butler County CNHI, whichwas originally completed in 1991. The anticipatedcompletion of the Butler County updated CNHI is 2009, andshould be referenced at that time for the most up to dateconservation areas and recommendations for their protection(for more information contact PNHP at 412-288-2777 orvisit their website at http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/).Generally, any intact floodplain forest or wetland issignificant to the watershed, and will likely have at leastcounty significance in the Butler update. All undeveloped,forested areas within the watershed should be consideredsignificant on the watershed level or county level due totheir ability to buffer water flowing into the rivers.Forget-me-nots are just one of thebeautiful wildflowers that grow in theConnoquenessing watershed, thoughnative and non-native varieties look verysimilarThe natural areas identified in CNHIs are termed:Biological Diversity Area (BDA):An area of land recognized as supporting populations of state, nationally, or globally significantspecies or natural communities; high-quality examples of natural communities or ecosystems; or naturalexceptional native diversity. These areas are typically small, and contain a buffer that protects the naturalcommunity or habitat that is needed to support the site.Landscape Conservation Area (LCA):A larger area of land compared to a BDA that contains minimal human disturbance, and allowsecosystems to function on a landscape level. These areas often contain multiple BDAs.Dedicated Area (DA):An area of land recognized by an owner’s specific intention to protect it, which could result in thesite becoming a BDA in the future, or a high-quality area within an already designated BDA. Numerousareas within the watershed could be DAs in the future through landowner agreements, special programs,or other methods.4-13