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PRINTER'S NO. 1859
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1475
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY DALEY, McCLINTON, YOUNGBLOOD, READSHAW, VITALI,
FRANKEL, McCARTER, FREEMAN, SAMUELSON, MADDEN, LONGIETTI,
GALLOWAY, SHUSTERMAN, WEBSTER, KINSEY, KENYATTA, ULLMAN,
ZABEL, HILL-EVANS, JOHNSON-HARRELL, HOWARD, SCHWEYER,
SANCHEZ, T. DAVIS, ISAACSON, DRISCOLL AND WARREN,
MAY 22, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
MAY 22, 2019
AN ACT
Providing for conservation corridors.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Outdoor recreation is among our nation's largest
economic sectors. Pennsylvania is a leader in outdoor
recreation consumer spending, a critical component of our
tourism industry. The preservation of this Commonwealth's
natural resources is necessary for our tourism industry to
continue to thrive.
(2) Pennsylvania ranks among the top states for
wildlife-vehicle collisions.
(3) It is recognized as a public good that habitat
connectivity, including conservation corridors and habitat
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linkages, be maintained and expanded. It is the policy of the
Commonwealth to encourage, wherever feasible and practical,
voluntary steps to protect the functioning of conservation
corridors through various means, as applicable.
(4) Areas containing diverse ecological and geological
characteristics are vital to the preservation and enhancement
of the natural resources of this Commonwealth and the
continual health and well-being of the residents of this
Commonwealth.
(5) Connectivity between wildlife habitats is important
to the long-term viability of this Commonwealth's
biodiversity. Preserving and connecting high-quality habitat
for wildlife can create habitat strongholds. Increasingly
fragmented habitats threaten this Commonwealth's wildlife
species.
(6) Analysis of this Commonwealth's habitat connectivity
benefits from the consideration of all relevant data,
including information from private and public landowners,
surrounding states and nonprofit organizations.
(7) Currently, conservation corridors in Pennsylvania
are managed by different Commonwealth commissions and
departments. A study that identifies and evaluates
conservation corridors would be beneficial to all wildlife
and residents.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Conservation corridor." A habitat linkage that joins two or
more areas of wildlife habitat, allowing for fish passage or the
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movement of wildlife from one area to another.
"Habitat stronghold." A high-quality habitat where wildlife
populations are strong and diverse, highly functioning and
intact.
"Wildlife." Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and
plants.
Section 3. Study.
(a) Study required.--The following apply:
(1) The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, in
collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of
Environmental Protection, the Insurance Department and the
Department of Transportation, shall conduct a study of
conservation corridors.
(2) (i) The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
may consult with organizations that:
(A) protect birds and their habitats using
science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground
conservation measures;
(B) provide representation of the
Commonwealth's 121 State parks and 2.2 million
acres of forest land or the interests of private
landowners;
(C) integrate conservation and economic
development in a way that strengthens and
inspires communities;
(D) collect data on wildlife-vehicle
collisions; or
(E) have knowledge of relevant issues.
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(ii) The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
may consult surrounding states and private landowners
that have knowledge of relevant issues.
(3) The study shall include, at a minimum, the following
components:
(i) A Return on Environment Study or the
demonstration of the economic benefits of conservation
corridors attributed to increased opportunity for outdoor
recreation, tourism and ecosystem services, including,
but not limited to, clean water, flood protection, air
pollution removal, mineral resources, agriculture
products and marketable timber.
(ii) An economic impact analysis of the
establishment of conservation corridors and wildlife
crossings in key areas on wildlife-vehicle collisions.
(iii) Identification of existing and needed
conservation corridors, including riparian corridors and
potential crossings of transportation arteries.
(iv) Identification of voluntary mechanisms, such as
easements and cooperative management agreements, that
affect conservation corridors. Recommendations concerning
any potential changes shall be formulated after an
opportunity for public comment.
(v) A determination as to whether an advisory task
force should be established on a permanent basis to
regularly update the study findings.
(b) Action by commissions and departments.--The Pennsylvania
Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department
of Environmental Protection, the Insurance Department and the
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Department of Transportation shall consider conservation
corridors as identified in the study. Each commission or
department shall modify, as necessary, the processes for
issuance, revision or amendment of management plans for lands
and waters under the commission's or department's administrative
control.
(c) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to permit entrance onto private property for purposes
described in this section without the express permission of the
landowner.
Section 4. Report.
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall prepare a
report of the findings and recommendations of the study
conducted under section 3 and submit the report to the Secretary
of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives no later than June 30, 2020.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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