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Commissioners sign MOU with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; allocate $20,000 from Act 13 funds
Summary
The board voted to enter a memorandum of understanding to update Wayne County’s Natural Heritage Inventory — last updated in 1991 — and approved a $20,000 Act 13 allocation over two years to support the work.
Local resident Steven Schwartz and Jeff Wagner of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy urged the county to update its National Heritage Inventory, saying Wayne County’s survey was last updated in 1991 and no longer reflects changes such as dam removals and ash-tree losses. Schwartz said the inventory is voluntary and landowners would not be obliged to participate.
Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Cramer seconded and the board voted unanimously to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to collaborate on updating Wayne County’s Natural Heritage Areas. Commissioner Cramer then moved, Commissioner Shook seconded and the board unanimously approved an allocation of $20,000 from Act 13 funds over the next two years to support the Conservancy’s work.
The presenters noted a prior DCNR grant application (a C2P2 grant) was not funded, and the Conservancy offered discounted pricing to complete the survey. The inventory update is intended to assist landowners and project planners by documenting existing natural and cultural features across the county.
