Regular Session 2019-2020 House Resolution 0670 P.N. 3154

PRINTER'S NO. 3154

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

670

Session of

2020

INTRODUCED BY DALEY, YOUNGBLOOD, WEBSTER, SAMUELSON, FREEMAN,

FRANKEL, DeLUCA, LONGIETTI, RAVENSTAHL, SOLOMON, SHUSTERMAN,

ZABEL, HILL-EVANS, SAPPEY, ISAACSON, ULLMAN, KIM, WILLIAMS,

McNEILL AND KAUFER, JANUARY 17, 2020

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,

JANUARY 17, 2020

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to

conduct a study and issue a report on the feasibility of

establishing conservation corridors in this Commonwealth.

WHEREAS, Outdoor recreation is among our nation's largest

economic sectors; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is a leader in outdoor recreation

consumer spending, a critical component of our tourism industry;

and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania hosts a magnificent diversity of plants

and wildlife and a great array of ecosystems and preserving and

connecting high-quality habitats for plants and wildlife can

create habitat strongholds so species can continue to thrive as

they face stressors and changing environmental conditions; and

WHEREAS, Preservation of this Commonwealth's natural

resources is necessary for our tourism industry to continue to

expand and thrive; and

WHEREAS, It is recognized as a public good that habitat

connectivity for wildlife be maintained and expanded; and

WHEREAS, The ecological benefits of habitat connectivity have

been measured and greater species richness, increased species

and wider dispersal of animals and plants lead to more

genetically diverse and robust populations; and

WHEREAS, Habitat connectivity can be fostered by conservation

corridors; and

WHEREAS, A conservation corridor is a habitat linkage that

joins two or more areas of wildlife habitat, allowing for fish

passage or the movement of wildlife from one area to another;

and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, Connectivity between wildlife habitats is important

to the long-term viability of this Commonwealth's biodiversity;

and

WHEREAS, Preserving and connecting high-quality habitat for

wildlife can create habitat strongholds; and

WHEREAS, A habitat stronghold is a high-quality habitat where

wildlife populations are strong and diverse, highly functioning

and intact; and

WHEREAS, Increasingly, fragmented habitats threaten this

Commonwealth's wildlife species; and

WHEREAS, Understanding of the Commonwealth's habitat

connectivity status and potential would benefit from

consideration of all relevant data, including from Federal and

State agencies and surrounding states, nonprofit organizations,

universities and private landowners; and

WHEREAS, Conservation corridors in Pennsylvania are managed

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by different Commonwealth commissions and departments; and

WHEREAS, Many State agencies, nonprofit organizations and

coalitions, as well as public-private partnerships that are

interested in advancing connectivity across this Commonwealth,

could benefit from a science-based understanding of current and

potential conservation corridors in this Commonwealth and

nonstate coalition partners can add value by helping to advance

the habitat connectivity goals of State agencies that seek to

advance conservation corridors; and

WHEREAS, A study that identifies and evaluates conservation

corridors would be beneficial to all wildlife and residents;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the

Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and

issue a report on the feasibility of establishing conservation

corridors in this Commonwealth and make recommendations for

measures proposed or undertaken for the establishment of such

corridors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the study:

(1) identify and examine the statutes, best practices

and proposed measures of other states to assist in the

establishment of conservation corridors in the Commonwealth;

(2) identify existing and needed conservation corridors,

including riparian corridors and potential crossings of

transportation arteries;

(3) include a study 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 and agriculture

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products;

(4) include an economic impact analysis of the

establishment of conservation corridors in key areas on

wildlife-vehicle collisions and identify existing and needed

conservation corridors, including riparian corridors and

potential crossings of transportation arteries; and

(5) identify voluntary mechanisms, such as easements and

cooperative management agreements, that affect conservation

corridors;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

be authorized to consult with organizations that:

(1) protect wildlife and their habitats using science,

advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation measures;

(2) provide representation of the Commonwealth's 121

State parks and 2.2 million acres of forest land or the

interests of private landowners;

(3) integrate conservation and economic development in a

way that strengthens and inspires communities;

(4) collect data on wildlife-vehicle collisions; or

(5) have knowledge of relevant issues;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

be authorized to consult surrounding states and private

landowners that have knowledge of relevant issues; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

prepare a report of its findings and recommendations of the

study and submit the report to the Secretary of the Senate and

the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives no later than

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November 30, 2020.

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