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LEARNING "THE SYSTEM"
A GUIDE FOR NEW FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
 
 

INTRODUCTION

Ornithological studies in the field require extensive design, planning, and communication. Navigating "the system" – that web of professional and private-sector contacts, government regulators, and other available resources - may be a daunting task for the inexperienced, requiring networking with other researchers, locating published and unpublished material, obtaining permits and permission, and understanding as well as complying with the laws and regulations designed to protect and conserve Pennsylvania's avifauna. Failure to successfully address these complexities may result in embarrassment, frustration, delays, or trouble with the law and will jeopardize any field research project.

This primer is designed to provide basic information, with an emphasis on the regulatory world, that will allow inexperienced field ornithologists to get their research projects "off on the right foot." It condenses some of the most important laws and regulations that deal with the Commonwealth's birds, summarizes regulations on public lands that may constrain research efforts if not considered, and provides contact information that will facilitate access to regulatory agencies and other selected resources. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Worldwide Web as an information clearinghouse.
 
 

THE LANDSCAPE

Cartographic resources for Pennsylvania, including topographic maps and detailed road atlases, are widely available, but a few helpful publications are often overlooked, including:

The agency with primary responsibility for conserving the Commonwealth's wild birds, and regulating activities that affect them, is the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pa. 17110-9797, 717-787-4250 (all inquiries to the Harrisburg office); (www.pgc.state.pa.us). This mandate is accomplished through the Pa. "Game & Wildlife Code" (Title 34 – Pa. Consolidated Statutes) and attendant regulations (Title 58 Pa. Code – Chapters 131-147). The Game and Wildlife Code is available at all county law libraries, some local libraries, and is sometimes available through local offices of state senators and representatives. A summary of laws and regulations is printed annually, and may be obtained, at no cost, from regional offices (see the PGC web site), the Harrisburg office, county treasurers, and sporting goods establishments that serve as hunting license issuing agents. The web site and pamphlet also provide regional office phone numbers and a list of counties served by region.

The following activities are unlawful, whether conducted on public or private lands, anywhere in the Commonwealth:

Permit applications may be obtained from Harrisburg or regional offices. The application is first reviewed by the District Wildlife Conservation Officer, then forwarded up the chain of command for final approval and issuance. The Bureau of Wildlife Management is consulted on applications dealing with rare species and non-ordinary proposals. It behooves the applicant to first discuss such activities with personnel from that bureau's Wildlife Diversity Section (717-787-4250). In addition, PGC permits must be renewed annually to be valid for multi-year projects or activities.

A similar permit from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is also required for activities targeting "migratory birds" (includes nearly all species occurring in Pa., other than a few upland game birds). Questions and requests for applications should be directed to USFWS, 315 S. Allen St., State College, Pa. 16801 (814-234-4090) (www.fws.gov/r5fws/index).
 
 

ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS




Regulations that affect ornithological field work on public lands vary somewhat by agency, but the following rules can be applied generally. It is unlawful to:

Relief from these and other regulations can be accomplished through special permits, letters of authority, and verbal permission, depending on agency, degree of intrusion, complexity of the activity, etc. Although two agencies do not require permits for non-intrusive activities, courtesy dictates that they be notified and given the opportunity to access results and findings. A brief summary of requirements of the major public landholding entities follows:

Pa. Game Commission – The PGC does not require a permit for activities on State Game Lands (SGLs) that are not "regulated" – that is, not prohibited by any regulation. An example would be a bird census using transects that don't require the clearing of vegetation. Proposals that include regulated activities, such as vehicular access behind closed gates, cutting and/or manipulating vegetation, and erecting semi-permanent structures (blinds, observation platforms, etc), should be addressed via an initial contact with the regional Land Management Supervisor or local Land Manager, if the activity is confined to a single game lands or region. Requests that include regulated activities over a considerable area of the state should begin with the Bureau of Land Management in Harrisburg. Regional phone numbers can be obtained from the PGC web site or the regulations summary. Anyone conducting research on SGLs, even if a permit is NOT required, should contact the local Land Manager or regional Land Management Supervisor while the project is in the design phase to identify any planned activities or management treatments that could impact the proposed study area. Detailed maps for individual State Game Lands, called Sportsmen's Recreation Maps, are available from PGC offices.

Pa. Bureau of Forestry (BOF) – A permit should be obtained for ANY project that includes research and the collection of biological data on State Forest lands. The District Forester should be contacted first, to determine that there will be no conflicts with other activities, and/or to obtain support for any habitat manipulations the study may require. Then, a cover letter with an explanation of the project (and a copy of project proposal) must be forwarded to : Research Coordinator, DCNR – Bureau of Forestry, PO Box 8552, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105-8552. pH.- 717-787-3444. State Forest information and an agency roster, is available at the Pa. Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) web site (www.dcnr.state.pa.us). There is no fee, but the submission of a copy of the final project report is required. State Forest maps are available at district offices.

Pa. Bureau of State Parks – Same requirements apply as those BOF. Point of contact should be the Park Manager. The State Parks roster on the DCNR homepage and includes direct email addresses. For general information: 1-888-PA-PARKS. Detailed State Park maps are available at park and regional offices.

Allegheny National Forest (ANF) - No permit is required for non-regulated and non- surface disturbing activities (see PGC), except that permission is required to conduct ANY research in the Tionesta Scenic & Research Natural Area (no fee). For permits, contact Forest Biologist (currently Brad Nelson), ANF Forest Supervisor's Office, PO Box 847, Warren, Pa. 16365. Ph. 814-723-5150. Permission to conduct research on the Kane Experimental Forest division should be obtained by calling 814-563-1040. The ANF homepage may be accessed at www.fs.fed.us/r9/allegheny/.

Delaware Water Gap National recreation Area (DWGNRA) – Permits for research and collecting are required. Contact Chief of Research and Resource Planning, DWPNRA, HC 38, Milford, Pa. 18337 (570-296-6952). Additional information on DWGNRA and smaller National Park Service sites may be found at www.nps.gov.

National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) – Two relatively small refuges, the Erie NWR in Crawford County (814-789-3585) and John Heinz NWR in Philadelphia (610-521-0662) are managed by USFWS. Permits are required for all research activities. More information may be obtained at www.fws.gov/r5fws/pa.
 
 

ORNITHOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Prepared by: Ornithological Technical Committee – Pennsylvania Biological Survey

19 March 1999
 
 

                          This paper adapted from: LEARNING "THE SYSTEM" - 
A GUIDE FOR NEW FIELD MAMMALOGISTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
by Janet Wright, Pa. Biological Survey – Mammal Technical Committee (4/3/97)

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