Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 9.125 - Commonwealth land policy(a) In watersheds with high quality streams the protection of stream quality and other environmental values goes beyond a concern for the immediate stream. Consideration must be given to the environmental impacts of land use development activities throughout the watershed. In many instances, existing growth and development patterns and the siting of large scale facilities is directly attributable to Commonwealth action. Urbanization, highway development, resource extraction and energy production complexes have the potential to degrade environmental values of watersheds with high quality streams, unless existing programs that shape future Commonwealth development provide for the protection of these watersheds. A coordinated Commonwealth land policy program is necessary to protect watersheds with high quality streams from future degradation.(b) It shall be the environmental policy of the Commonwealth to encourage future growth and development patterns ensuring the protection of watersheds with high quality streams and discourage those land use activities which may degrade the environmental values of these watersheds.