introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

agencies to better understand the implications ofproposed activities. They also can supplyguidance to the landowners, developers, orproject managers as to possible conflicts andcourses of action.Once informed of the proposed activity, theCounty Planning Office should then contact thePennsylvania Natural Heritage Program(Western Pennsylvania Conservancy office) fordirection in arranging further review of theactivity. Depending upon the resourcescontained within the Natural Heritage Area, theagencies/entities responsible for the resourcewill then be contacted. The points of contactand arrangements for that contact will bedetermined on a case-by-case basis by theCounty and PNHP. In general, theresponsibility for reviewing natural resources ispartitioned among agencies in the followingmanner:• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for allfederally listed plants or animals.• Pennsylvania Game Commission for allstate and federally listed terrestrialvertebrate animals.• Pennsylvania Fish and BoatCommission for all state and federallylisted aquatic vertebrate and invertebrateanimals.• Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry for allstate and federally listed plants.• Pennsylvania Natural HeritageProgram (PNHP) for all naturalcommunities, terrestrial invertebratesand non-listed species.PNHP and agency biologists can provide moredetailed information with regard to thelocation of the natural resources of concern in aproject area, the needs of the particular resourcesin question, and about potential impacts of theproject to those resources.If a ground survey is necessary to determinewhether significant natural resources are presentin the area of the project, PNHP or an agencybiologist will recommend a survey beconducted. PNHP, through WesternPennsylvania Conservancy, or otherknowledgeable contractors can be retained forthis purpose. Early consideration of naturalresource impacts is recommended to allowsufficient time for thorough evaluation. Giventhat some species are only observable oridentifiable during certain phases of their lifecycle (i.e., the flowering season of a plant or theflight period of a butterfly), a survey may needto be scheduled for a particular time of year.If the decision is made to move forward with aproject in a sensitive area, WPC can work withmunicipal officials and project personnel duringthe design process to develop strategies forminimizing the project’s ecological impact whilemeeting the project’s objectives. The resourceagencies in the state may do likewise.Note that projects involving numerous activitiesthat will require state permits will require aPNDI review. Consultation with WPC oranother agency does not take the place of thePNDI review. However, early consultation andplanning as detailed above can provide for amore efficient and better integrated permitreview, and a better understanding among theparties involved as to the scope of any neededproject modifications.xiii