We all recognize the importance of preventing the extinction of endangered species and safeguarding our shared environment. For this reason, Pennsylvania prohibited the deliberate slaughter of individual members of threatened and endangered species, yet a glaring deficiency remains – the habitats of those same species are left unprotected.
 
Defending nests, mating grounds, and feeding areas should bet as important as stopping poachers, yet state law remains silent. This legislative oversight is unconscionable, and I will soon introduce legislation (an improvement of former HB 840) requiring, as part of the permitting process for new construction in undeveloped areas, the submission of a habitat impact study to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. These studies will determine negative impacts on threatened and endangered species by the proposed construction, as well as steps necessary to mitigate the impacts. This legislation would also ensure compliance by penalizing municipalities that allow construction to move forward without review, or in defiance of the review.
 
This bill is necessary to live up to the Pennsylvania Constitution’s promise to preserve and safeguard the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment. Please join me in this effort to protect the myriad species with which we share our beautiful commonwealth.

Prior co-sponsors include: SANCHEZ, MADDEN, McNEILL, CIRESI, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, GUENST, SHUSTERMAN, and OTTEN.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0042: P.L.491, No.45