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.
"This online database helps us achieve our vision of sensible development that protects and conserves our natural resources," 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?'
"The database will tell developers, municipal officials and the general public if there could be a conflict with special concern plants or animals -- or their habitats -- before the start of planning, designing and applying for environmental permits."
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.
Before the new system, a search of the database was completed by a government agency. A permit applicant or the general public can use the new PNDI Environmental Review Tool for a proposed project.
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.
The heritage program, a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy, collects and inventories data regarding the commonwealth's native biological diversity.
"The information collected by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program has led to the protection of many of the commonwealth's irreplaceable treasures, like Tamarack Swamp Natural Area in Clinton County, Pine Lake Natural Area in Pike County and, more recently, Erie Bluffs State Park in Erie County," DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. "All of these areas are now recreational and educational treasures for the enjoyment of present and future generations."
The heritage program is a part of NatureServe, an international network of heritage programs.
Species tracked within the system are sorted by county and watershed and updated monthly. They include those listed as endangered, threatened or rare by DCNR, the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Also found are species recommended for such listing by the Pennsylvania Biological Survey, as well as natural community types and geologic features recommended by program ecologists and DCNR's Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey.
Details on the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, the PNDI Environmental Review process, and the database can be found online.
