introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

PENN TOWNSHIPPenn Township falls almost entirely within the watershed of the West Branch Susquehanna River, exceptfor a small area in the northwest corner of the township that is in the Ohio drainage. The streams of thewestern portion of the township— Bell Run and Curry Run—flow directly into the river, while KratzerRun flows first to Anderson Creek. About 65% of the township is forested, while at least 20% of thetownship has been strip mined. In the western portion of the township there is a large block of contiguousforest that makes up about a third of the Haslett Run LCA (see pg. 30), while a smaller forested area inthe northeastern corner of the township contributes to the Anderson Creek – Montgomery Run LCA (seepg. 33). The somewhat extensive areas which have been strip mined are a challenge to the futureecological health of the landscape in Penn township; strip mined areas provide degraded habitatconditions for many species, may be a barrier to the movement of some species, and usually result inwater quality impairment. Goals for improving the ecological health of the township landscape would beto improve the contiguity and ecosystem health of forested areas, especially in the LCAs; to remediatewater quality problems; and to restore strip mined areas.GRAMPIAN BOROUGHThe landscape of Grampian Borough is mainly occupied by the village of Grampian. It is in the KratzerRun watershed. No Natural Heritage Areas were identified in the borough.LUMBER CITY BOROUGHThe borough of Lumber City falls mainly within the watershed of the West Branch Susquehanna Riverand its tributary Hiles Run, and is bounded to the south by the West Branch. The borough is 76%forested, but due to the density of fragmenting features very little of this area is core forest habitat.Recommendations for improving the ecological health of the township landscape are: restoration of aforested corridor along the banks of the West Branch, and forest stewardship to improve contiguity andecosystem health. No Natural Heritage Areas were identified within the borough.122