NPS To Begin White-Tailed Deer Management Planning For Select National Parks Of Western Pennsylvania

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Compiled from NPS Releases

Published Date

February 27, 2025

White-tailed deer at Flight 93 National Memorial / NPS

The National Park Service (NPS) is working on a white-tailed deer management plan for Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Friendship Hill National Historic Site, and Flight 93 National Memorial in western Pennsylvania. Over the past century, deer populations have grown dramatically, leading to significant ecological changes and damage to both the natural environment and historic landscapes in these parks.

The goal of the plan is to protect and restore native vegetation by managing deer overpopulation, which has contributed to excessive browsing and hindered forest regeneration. While deer are an important part of the ecosystem, maintaining a balanced population is key to preserving the health of the parks.

NPS is inviting the public to attend one of two upcoming meetings to learn more about the project. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 11, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Flight 93 National Memorial Learning Center. The second meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Visitor Center. During these meetings, NPS staff will present an overview of the plan and answer questions from attendees.

For more details on the project and how to attend the meetings, visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov/wepa-deer. Public comments are welcome until March 23, 2025, and can be submitted through the website or by mail to:

Superintendent
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
1 Washington Parkway
Farmington, PA 15437

Following this public input period, NPS will refine the plan and conduct necessary environmental and historical reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act, and other conservation laws. Once the preliminary NEPA document is released, there will be another opportunity for public review and feedback.

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