Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer Covid-19 Update - (March 23, 2020)
To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) offices closed starting on March 17th and will be closed for at least 2 weeks. As of March 22, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) PA field office staff have also been instructed to telework until further notice with limited office access. While many review staff are working from home, the state office closures have significantly affected operations. To help ensure submitted projects are processed and reviewed as quickly as circumstances allow, please review the following guidance.
Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer Availability
The Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer is online and operating normally. Technical issues and questions should be sent to RA-HERITAGEGIS@PA.GOV
Project Review Times
State and federal agency staff will continue to process projects submitted for environmental review. However, due to state agency operational constraints, delays should be expected.
Project Submissions
It will be difficult or impossible for agency staff to receive project submissions and documentation sent by mail during the office closures. For the duration, users are strongly encouraged to upload their materials to the Conservation Explorer or email them to the agency email address. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will accept emailed project submissions as well. Agency emails are as follows, DCNR: RA-HeritageReview@pa.gov, PGC: RA-PGC_PNDI@pa.gov, PFBC: RA-FBPACENOTIFY@pa.gov, USFWS: IR1_ESPenn@fws.gov
Contacting Environmental Review Staff
PGC, PFBC and USFWS review staff request that all inquiries be sent to the agency email. PGC: RA-PGC_PNDI@pa.gov, PFBC: RA-FBPACENOTIFY@pa.gov, USFWS: IR1_ESPenn@fws.gov. This will ensure that messages are received by the agency as individual staff may not have daily access to work email or their office phone.
DCNR review staff can be contacted directly by work email or phone. DCNR review status inquiries can emailed to RA-HeritageReview@pa.gov