§ 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:
(1) To Protect the Natural Processes and Ecological Relationships of Man’s Life-Support System, and Manage Our Activities to Preserve Natural, Scenic, and Aesthetic Values of the Environment While Meeting Society’s Needs.
(2) The Environmental Master Planning Program will be the mechanism for directing and coordinating Commonwealth actions to attain the Commonwealth’s environmental goals.
(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:
(1) Protection of the natural, scenic, aesthetic and other environmental values in urban and rural areas throughout this Commonwealth.
(2) Resolution of environmental problems related to issues such as pollution control, environmental health, transportation, energy production and community development.
(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:
(1) Environmental Goals for the Commonwealth.
(2) Policies for the critical environmental areas of this Commonwealth.
(3) Policies for other environmental values of statewide importance.
(4) Policies to abate pollution and enhance environmental health.
(5) Policies guiding the management of the natural resources of this Commonwealth.
(6) Policies supporting an environmentally sensitive growth and development plan for the Commonwealth.
(7) Environmental guidelines and criteria for statewide, regional, and local environmental planning and management activities.
(8) Incorporating statewide environmental planning programs as part of the Environmental Master Plan through policy coordination and implementation.
(9) Land use and resource information system for policy development and evaluation.
(10) Technical assistance for county and local governments in all phases of environmental planning.
(11) Recommendations for environmentally sensitive regional and local growth and development plans.
(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.
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