introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

CHEST TOWNSHIPChest Township is 71% forested, with 55% core habitat and 26% roadless core habitat. Roughly thewestern two-thirds of the township falls within the watershed of Chest Creek, the township’s majorwaterway, while the eastern third of the township drains into Clearfield Creek. The relatively highproportion of core forest is an asset to the ecological health of the township landscape, and a large portionof the southern half of the township is recognized as the SGL #120 LCA (see pg. 31). However, there arealso several substantial challenges to the ecological health: strip mining and other mining have beenextensive in the township, causing habitat degradation and water quality problems. The high proportionof land which has been strip mined contributes to the problem of forest fragmentation in the northern halfof the township, because without extensive restoration work, formerly stripped areas typically offerdegraded habitat conditions for many species and may act as a barrier for the movement of some. Goodconservation priorities for improving the ecological health of the landscape of Chest Township would beremediation of water quality problems, the establishment of a continuous natural riparian corridor alongChest Creek, and forest stewardship to increase ecosystem health and contiguity, especially within theSGL #120 LCA.Chest Creek South Floodplain BDADescriptionThis BDA is designated around a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) rookery. The Great Blue Heronis a species of waterbird which breeds in colonies of up to several hundred nesting pairs. Colonies ofnests are called “rookeries.” The birds tend to prefer large, mature oak, beech, and sycamore trees,and may return to the same site for many years. Herons feed primarily on small fish. They mayforage up to 15 kilometers from the rookery site.Core Habitat Area—The core habitat area includes the nesting area as well as surrounding habitatimportant in maintaining suitable conditions at the nest site.Threats and StressesCore Habitat Area—The months of April-June are the herons’ breeding season, and they will besensitive to loud noises or physical intrusions in the vicinity of the rookery, up to a distance of ~300meters (Quinn and Milner 1999).RecommendationsCore Habitat Area—In the wetland areas, further disturbances of greater intensity than unmotorizedrecreational traffic should be avoided because of the sensitivity of these habitats. Human visitation inthis BDA during the months of April-June, as well as other disturbances resulting in loud noises—such as blasting, vehicle traffic, or shooting— may disturb the herons and negatively impact theirbreeding success.Rogue’s Harbor Run BDADescriptionThis BDA is the watershed of Rogue’s Harbor Run, a stream classified by the PA-DEP asExceptional Value.64