Oley Mountain Estates
Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Haines and Kibblehouse (HK) contracted WHM to conduct a Phase I Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) Habitat Assessment at the proposed Oley Mountain Estates development in Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The property is a 57.6 acre tract of mostly undeveloped agricultural land located on an agricultural hill-side. Scattered private residences, woodlands, agricultural fields, and small businesses currently surround the site. The construction of a twelve (12) lot residential subdivision is proposed for the property. All lots were to use on-lot water and on-lot sewer systems.

Based on coordination with the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) database, regarding species of concern, the potential for the future land development of the tract to affect the bog turtle was identified. In response to this concern, a Phase I bog turtle habitat assessment was conducted to determine the presence/absence of conditions suitable for species support. This summary provides the findings of a Phase I species habitat assessment conducted on wetland areas associated with the subject tract.

A site reconnaissance was conducted to determine if suitable soils, hydrology, and vegetation for bog turtles were met in a narrow watercourse and its fringe wetlands associated with the east-central portion of the property. A US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) Bog Turtle Habitat Evaluation – Field Form was completed for the site. Photographs were taken during the survey to provide a visual of key parameters that indicate whether a site has wetlands containing potential bog turtle habitat. Photo documentation of the soils, vegetation and hydrology were provided in the phase I report. Soil conditions in the wetland areas were not mucky and soils could not be probed to a depth greater than 1-2 inches in any on-site wetland area. Based on the field investigation, it was concluded that no potential core habitat for the Bog Turtle is present on the subject property due to the lack of mucky soils found within the on-site wetland area. In addition, potential core Bog Turtle habitat did not appear to occur immediately adjacent to the project site. Therefore, it was concluded by SJB that the proposed project would not negatively impact the Bog Turtle. The USFWS and the PFBC both concurred with the findings and the project was permitted to proceed as planned.

L.K. Metzger
Dam

Phoenix Resources
Landfill Expansion

Dayton Dam

Houtzdale
Municipal

Ruff Creek
Stream
Restoration

Orchard Club
Subdivision Site

Oley Mountain
Estates