Information source: Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
A new tool for screening the impact a proposed project will have on threatened and endangered species in Pennsylvania is now available on-line. Governor Edward G. Rendell said the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) database will help developers save time and money and alert environmentalists to potential threats to certain animals and plants.
Governor Rendell said, "The system quickly answers the question that developers and environmentalists have: 'Could there be endangered, threatened or rare species on a particular tract of land?'"
Applicants are required to coordinate with state and federal agencies about potential impacts to threatened and endangered species when they apply for an environmental permit in Pennsylvania.
Project searches on the database that return no potential impacts can be expedited. Projects with potential impacts will require further coordination with the appropriate federal or state agency listed on the results of the review.
Anyone logging on to the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program website will receive information helping them access the new search forms, and read and interpret their results. Details on the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, the PNDI Environmental Review process, and the database can be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us (click PNHP under "Quick Links").
