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 B - POLICIES FOR CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES FOR WATERSHEDS WITH HIGH QUALITY STREAMS
Section 9.124 - Environmentally sensitive watersheds

(a) In addition to possessing exceptional water quality, watersheds with high quality streams may also have other outstanding environmental values related to hydrology, topography, geology, vegetation, wildlife or the general undeveloped character of the watershed. In many instances, the wild, scenic, natural, scientific, or educational values of the watershed may far outweigh the water quality concern. These values may also exist in watersheds with less than high quality streams. Since many of these values are also of Statewide importance, the Commonwealth should develop a broader protection program for environmentally sensitive watersheds.

(b) It shall be the environmental policy of the Commonwealth to protect watersheds having Statewide environmental values which may be rare, unique, fragile, or threatened and restore and maintain high quality streams within these watersheds.