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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Speeds Up Environmental Review Times, ATV Permitting, and More – Making State Government More Efficient

11/22/2024

Harrisburg, PA — Today, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced significant reductions in processing times across key environmental review areas, demonstrating the Shapiro Administration's commitment to streamlining state government operations for Pennsylvanians in the last two years.

This year, DCNR's Bureau of Forestry made notable improvements in processing times:

  • Environmental Reviews for Rare or Threatened Species: The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) environmental review applications are now processed in an average of 10 days, a 67 percent reduction from the 30-day average previously. These reviews are crucial for assessing potential impacts on sensitive ecological features before development projects can proceed, ensuring compliance with conservation regulations.

  • Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Permits: Processing times for Northcentral Regional ATV Trail (NRAT) Connector permits have been reduced to an average of three days, down from 14 days — a nearly 80 percent improvement. The NRAT system has generated $23.5 million in revenue over its first three years, boosting tourism in the region.

  • Ginseng Certification: The Ecological Services Division has reduced the processing time for ginseng certifications to one day, down from five days. Ginseng harvesting is highly regulated, with strict seasonal and ecological guidelines to protect the species.

“We're proud to lead the way in improving customer service for permits and recreational opportunities in Pennsylvania," said Secretary Dunn. “Thanks to the dedication of our staff, we're able to return applications faster and more efficiently, helping residents and businesses enjoy our public lands while protecting the environment."

DCNR is also cataloging and prioritizing transactions that can easily be converted from paper to electronic processes to improve efficiency and better serve the public.

Earlier this week, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a permitting “fast track" initiative to expedite approvals for major economic development and infrastructure projects, building on his Administration's achievements in streamlining government processes. This builds on the work the Governor has done during his first two years in office to make state government move at the speed of business – creating the Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO) to spur economic growth and the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to streamline how Pennsylvanians interact with the Commonwealth online.

DCNR manages 124 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forest lands, and is tasked with conserving and sustaining Pennsylvania's natural resources for present and future generations' use and enjoyment. Visit DCNR's website for more information about the agency, and check out DCNR's Calendar of Events for events on public lands.

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