Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart A - Preliminary Provisions
Article I - Administrative Provisions
Chapter 9 - ENVIRONMENTAL MASTER PLAN
Subchapter A - ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY PLANNING PROGRAM
Section 9.3 - Environmental Master Planning Program

(a) The environmental ethic is based upon principles which reflect an overall sensitivity for the environment. The Environmental Master Plan may therefore be reviewed simply as a program to translate the ethic into attitudes and lifestyles which encourage an understanding and respect for the natural environment.

(b) The development of environmental goals by working committees of Commonwealth citizens was the initial step of the Master Planning Program. The goals provide a broad overview of the type of environment desired by the citizens of the state. After extensive public review, the goals were adopted by the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board in February 1974 as part of their legislative mandate to develop the Environmental Master Plan. The general concern of the goal statements is incorporated within the following Overall Environmental Goal of the Commonwealth:

(c) Although the goals are broad statements indicating a desired level of environmental quality, the goals by themselves do not provide adequate guidance and direction for individual programs related to environmental protection, resources management and socio-economic well-being. The general intent of the goals must be articulated through the development and implementation of environmental policies which can guide various Commonwealth actions throughout all levels of government.

(d) Therefore, the specific objective of the Master Planning Program will be to attain the Commonwealth Environmental Goals through the development and implementation of policies which reflect an overall sensitivity for the environment.

(e) The development of policies which express an overall environmental sensitivity may be, at times, in conflict with other policies addressing social and economic priorities. Ideally, the Commonwealth should have a comprehensive planning program bringing together social, economic, and environmental policies into a single Commonwealth policy reflecting tradeoffs between conflicting concerns.

(f) In the absence of a single comprehensive policy program for the Commonwealth, programs at the State, regional and local levels must attempt to incorporate existing social, environmental, and economic policies while achieving specific program objectives. Since policy conflicts are resolved by making tradeoffs and balancing priorities, the Master Plan has a responsibility to provide decision-makers with a policy input which gives strong consideration to environmental factors.

(g) Certainly, policies of the Master Plan will not be, nor are they intended to be, the sole determinants for guiding future Commonwealth actions, but rather they will provide a sound environmental perspective which must be studied and considered in the overall decision-making process. Since decisions are often made without an understanding of existing policies, clearly stated environmental policies can strengthen the decision-making process by providing an increased awareness of environmental concerns which is necessary to ensure the long-term harmony between socio-economic well-being and the protection of the environment of this Commonwealth.

(h) The primary emphasis of the Master Planning Program is directed to the development and implementation of environmentally sensitive policies. In order to protect ecologic processes and enhance the total human environment, the development of policies will be generally focused in two areas:

(i) The implementation of policies which speak to environmental values and problems will encourage the protection of areas having outstanding environmental quality, support the restoration and improvement of areas already degraded, and provide direction for generally enhancing the quality of life for all Commonwealth citizens.

(j) Actions related to the development and implementation of policy will further define the Master Planning program as consisting of the following outputs:

(k) The ultimate success of the Master Planning program will be dependent upon the effective implementation of environmental policy. Implementation of environmental policy is not solely a responsibility of the Department of Environmental Resources or other Commonwealth agencies. There must be a shared responsibility with regional agencies and local governments to make the Environmental Master Plan a meaningful plan to guide and coordinate future statewide actions in an environmentally sensitive manner.

(l) In summary, the evolution of the Plan is describing the environmental planning program of the Commonwealth as the development and implementation of environmental policy. This will involve the Commonwealth in a positive effort to institutionalize the ethic, recognize environmental values, identify environmental issues and initiate government action through policy development and implementation.