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Westmoreland County Natural Heritage Inventory, 1998

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Westmoreland County Natural Heritage Inventory, 1998 WESTMORELAND COUNTY NATURAL HERITAGE INVENTORY Prepared for: The Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development 601 Courthouse Square Greensburg, PA 15601 Prepared by: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy 209 Fourth Ave. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 September 1998 This project was funded by the Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund Grant Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation. Printed on recycled paper PREFACE The Westmoreland County Natural Heritage Inventory identifies and maps Westmoreland County’s most significant natural places. The study investigated plant and animal species and natural communities that are unique or uncommon in the county; it also explored areas important for general wildlife habitat and scientific study. The inventory does not confer protection on any of the areas listed here. It is, however, a tool for informed and responsible decision-making. Public and private organizations may use the inventory to guide land acquisition and conservation decisions. Local municipalities and the County may use it to help with comprehensive planning, zoning and the review of development proposals. Developers, utility companies and government agencies alike may benefit from access to this environmental information prior to the creation of detailed development plans. Although the inventory was conducted using a tested and proven methodology, it is best viewed as a preliminary report rather than the final word on the subject of Westmoreland County’s natural heritage. Further investigations could potentially uncover previously unidentified Natural Heritage Areas. Likewise, in-depth investigations of sites listed in this report could reveal features of further or greater significance than have been documented here. Some of the areas described here are privately owned. In such cases, anyone wishing to visit these areas should obtain permission from the property owner(s) prior to visitation. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy served as the principal investigator for the study and prepared the report and maps that are the products of the study. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is a private, non-profit, land conservation organization which protects natural lands, promotes healthy and attractive communities, and preserves Fallingwater. Any questions concerning sites or updates to the inventory may be addressed to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 209 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; phone: (412)288-2777. The study was managed by the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development. Requests for copies of the inventory can be addressed to the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development, 601 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, PA 15601, phone: (724) 830-3768. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to acknowledge the many citizens and landowners of the county and surrounding areas who volunteered information, time, and effort to the inventory and granted permission to access land. We especially thank Lynn Showalter of the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development, Greg Phillips and Ron Rohall of the Westmoreland County Conservation District, Jack Paulik of the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Linda Boxx of the McKenna Foundation, Dave Williams of the DCNR – Bureau of Forestry, the staff of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Herbarium and the Powdermill Nature Reserve, Carol Loeffler of Dickinson College and Peggy Wisner. It would be impossible to name and thank all individuals that contributed, but without their help, much of the inventory would not have been completed. Lisa L. Smith Natural Heritage Ecologist Western Pennsylvania Conservancy iii TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE......................................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........................................................................................................iii RESULTS....................................................................................................................................... 1 COUNTY NATURAL HERITAGE INVENTORIES ............................................................. 19 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 19 NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS CLASSIFICATION.................................................................. 20 NATURAL HERITAGE INVENTORY METHODS..................................................................... 22 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS................................................................................................. 26 Natural Heritage Areas......................................................................................................... 26 Other Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 27 OVERVIEW OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY NATURAL FEATURES........................ 32 RESULTS BY U.S.G.S. QUADRANGLE................................................................................. 37 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 37 QUADRANGLE: Avonmore .............................................................................................................................. 52 Bakersville........................................................................................................................... 197 Blairsville.............................................................................................................................. 85 Bolivar................................................................................................................................... 91 Boswell ................................................................................................................................ 194 Braddock ............................................................................................................................... 68 Connellsville........................................................................................................................ 214 Dawson................................................................................................................................ 218 Derry ................................................................................................................................... 123 Donegal............................................................................................................................... 210 Donora ................................................................................................................................ 150 Freeport ................................................................................................................................ 42 Greensburg.......................................................................................................................... 134 Irwin .................................................................................................................................... 138 Johnstown............................................................................................................................ 108 Latrobe ................................................................................................................................ 130 Leechburg.............................................................................................................................. 48 Ligonier............................................................................................................................... 186 Mammoth ............................................................................................................................ 167 McKeesport ......................................................................................................................... 142 iv Monongahela ...................................................................................................................... 146 Mt. Pleasant ........................................................................................................................ 162 Murrysville............................................................................................................................ 72 New Florence ........................................................................................................................ 98 New Kensington East ............................................................................................................ 60 New Kensington West............................................................................................................ 64 Rachelwood......................................................................................................................... 112 Saltsburg ............................................................................................................................... 80 Seven Springs ...................................................................................................................... 202 Slickville...............................................................................................................................
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