Pennsylvania officials release new recommendations for protecting wildlife

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A new report is being highlighted by Pennsylvania officials for its recommendations to use wildlife corridors to protect wildlife, limit vehicle collisions and reconnect habitats.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conversation Partnership and PennEnviroment highlighted the new legislative budget and finance committee report calls for some changes. These suggested changes include better utilizing forested and other undeveloped corridors, as well as road-crossing structures, to help animals safely move between areas that are separated by roads, buildings and other infrastructures.

The report recommendations include:

— The executive branch should convene an official interagency commission to collaborate with federal and non-governmental partners to identify high-priority areas for reconnecting habitat in Pennsylvania and establish goals for their protection.

— The General Assembly should implement policies requiring PennDOT to regularly update state officials on its wildlife crossing projects and increase the amount the state Game Commission can spend to purchase land for conservation.

— The General Assembly should require state agencies, independent agencies and insurance contractors working in Pennsylvania to report and track animal-vehicle collisions.

“From the bobcat and black bear to the millions of songbirds that cross the Keystone State every year, Pennsylvania is blessed to be home to incredible native species,” Stephanie Wein, clean water & conservation advocate at PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center, said. “This report lays out clear next steps our leaders in Harrisburg can take to protect our wildlife for generations to come. Now, they need to act on this commonsense plan.”

House Resolution 87, which was sponsored by Reps. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny) passed with bipartisan support last year.

The next steps of the resolution include devising and implementing a statewide habitat connectivity plan. This would improve the health of the animal populations by giving them more space to hunt, forage, migrate and mate, while also preventing accidents involving animals.

Pennsylvania currently ranks among the worst states in the nation for accidents involving animals.

“Pennsylvania is one of five states where you’re most likely to be involved in a vehicle collision with wildlife,” Alexandra Kozak, Pennsylvania field manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said. “Establishing wildlife corridors and crossing structures at roadways, such as highway overpasses and underpasses, will help reduce collisions while improving habitat connectivity.”

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The full report can be read here.

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