The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy selects our policy positions with great care and strategic forethought. We have identified the following issues as the ones that are most likely to have the greatest impact on our land and water conservation objectives.

Tax Incentives for Conservation

WPC recommends making permanent the expanded tax incentives available to individuals who donate land or interests in land for conservation purposes. The 2008 Farm Bill included a two-year extension, but the incentive will expire again on Decmber 31, 2009.

Federal Funding for Conservation

Forest Legacy

WPC is in favor of increased funding for Forest Legacy Program. For FY09, WPC encourages an allocation of $100 million for this critical voluntary land conservation program.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is a member of the Eastern Forest Partnership which is advancing a goal of $300 million for Forest Legacy by 2012.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

WPC is in favor of increased funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, as determined in the annual Interior Appropriations bill. For FY09, WPC promotes an allocation of $320 million for this critical land conservation program.

State Wildlife Grants

WPC is in favor of increased funding for State Wildlife Grants, as determined in the annual Interior Appropriations bill. For FY09, WPC promotes an allocation of $85 million for this critical wildlife program.

Each year, WPC participates in the Teaming With Wildlife Fly-In Days, in support of SWG.

Hazardous Sites Cleanup Funding

While Western Pennsylvania Conservancy agrees that a stable funding source must be found for Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA), we feel strongly that it should not come at the expense of funding for local parks and recreational facilities, land conservation and important state park maintenance projects.

The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund needs money. However, de-funding recreation, park and conservation projects is not an appropriate way to address hazardous site cleanup needs. Alternatives for funding HSCA have been under discussion. Ideas include raising the tipping fee and passing legislation to require deposits on beverage containers. These ideas should be explored, but the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund should be put to the uses outlined in the Key '93 legislation.

Invasive Species/Deer Browsing

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy supports the information compiled and conclusions reached in the 2005 publication Managing White-tailed Deer in Forest Habitat From an Ecosystem Perspective, downloadable at the PA Audubon website.

The Eradication and Prevention of Feral Swine in Pennsylvania

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy was pleased to prepare and submit comments and recommendations to the Pennsylvania Game Commission on this topic.  You can download a PDF of our final comments here (PDF).

National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designation

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy was pleased to prepare and submit formal comments to the U.S. Department of Energy on this topic.  You can download a PDF of our final comments here (PDF).

U.S. Forest Service Open Space Strategy

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy was pleased to prepare and submit formal comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on this topic.  You can download a PDF of our final comments here (PDF).

Wind Energy

WPC supports the development of renewable energy sources, including wind, in locations that do not negatively affect the integrity of biologically significant areas of Pennsylvania. Areas identified through the county natural heritage inventories play a vital role in supporting the full array of native species and habitats in Pennsylvania, as do the commonwealth's remaining tracts of unfragmented forestland and migratory pathways. View our full position here (PDF).

Natural Resource Development in Pennsylvania

Over the last several years Western Pennsylvania has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of exploration and extraction of natural gas. To address this increased activity, the Conservancy has responded by developing a public policy statement, taking a leadership role in disseminating information, and offering guidelines for addressing conservation concerns related to natural gas exploration and extraction.

You can download our Natural Gas Extraction Policy Position (6/2010).   We also have a simple informative document for landowners facing this issue called "Conservation Guidance for Landowners on Natural Gas Development" (6/2010).