On June 25, the House gave final, unanimous approval to House Bill 797 (B.Miller-R-Lancaster) requiring the state Department of Transportation to plant native vegetation along state highways.

The Senate approved the legislation earlier with an amendment on September 20, 2023.

"Through the years non-native plants have been introduced throughout the state with some of them becoming noxious and invasive resulting in substantial disruption to the state’s ecosystem," said Rep. B. Miller when he introduced the bill. 

"Plants that are native to Pennsylvania are naturally part of the state eco-system and their use throughout the Commonwealth helps to maintain the environmental balance that has been developed over many years. 

"These native plants, when planted along highways, will thrive because those plants are better adapted to local conditions. 

"Further, native vegetation is also more likely to support wildlife, while discouraging invasive plant species.

"This legislation will require PennDOT to develop a list of native vegetation species that can be used in roadside work that is done throughout the state.  The use of specific species in a given area will be based on the recommendations of the PA Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee," said Rep. Miller.

Click Here for a House Summary and Fiscal Note on the legislation.

This legislation was first introduced in 2018 by former Rep. John Quigley (R-Montgomery) as House Bill 2131.

Visit PennDOT’s Adopt and Beautify webpage for information on native plants, pollinator plantings along state highways and PennDOT’s Pollinator Habitat Plan.

(Photo: TribLive.com)

Resource Links:

-- Pollinator Gardens: Help Encourage Ecological Diversity In Your Own Backyard  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Watershed Friendly Certification Program Expands To Large And Small Properties, Apartments  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Master Gardeners Certification As Pollinator Friendly Garden

-- Penn State Extension Is Celebrating Pollinator Week June 17-21!   [PaEN]

-- Pollinator Vehicle License Plate Now Available From PennDOT To Support Pollinator Habitat Fund  [PaEN]

-- Agriculture Secretary, Sen. Comitta Visit Chester County’s Jenkins Arboretum, Highlighting Bill To Protect Pollinators, Boost Agriculture  [PaEN]

NewsClip:

-- LancasterOnline: PA Lawmakers Want To Ban Invasive Plant Species From State Highways

Related Articles:

-- Bill Requiring PennDOT To Plant Native Plants Along State Highways Goes To Governor  [PaEN]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Launches PA Plants Native! Initiative To Plant 100,000 Trees In Next 18 Months; Fall Tree Request Form Now Live!  [PaEN]

-- Master Watershed Stewards Host July 15 Annual Q/A Webinar On Fall Native Tree And Shrub Sale Species  [PaEN]

-- Interactive Training To Help Identify And Report Aquatic Invasive Species Thru The PA AIS Field Guide App Now Available From PA Sea Grant  [PaEN]

-- PennLive: Free Guided Tours Of Rare Butterfly Habitat Still Available At Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County  [PaEN]

-- Rep. Pielli To Introduce Bills To Protect Insects, Conserve Monarch Butterfly Habitats  [PaEN]

-- Evangelical Environmental Network Blog: Christian Hope In The World Of Pollinators -  By Rev. Philip Westra, Evangelical Environmental Network  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- LancasterOnline: PA Lawmakers Want To Ban Invasive Plant Species From State Highways

-- Citizens Voice: Grant Will Help Lehman Sanctuary Expand Wildflower Growth

-- TribLive: Leechburg Homeowner Embraces A ‘No-Mow’ Lifestyle In Armstrong County

-- Sunbury Daily Item Guest Essay: You Are Nature’s Best Hope - Transform Your Property To Encourage Species Biodiversity - By Barb Jarmoska, Responsible Decarbonization Alliance

[Posted: June 27, 2024]

7/1/2024