NorCo Must Spend $21k For Bog Turtle Study

baby bog turtle

For years, critics of environmental regulation have liked to joke about construction projects being put on hold because someone saw a bog turtle. It's no longer a joke in Northampton County. The Rasleytown Road bridge project in Plainfield Township has been put on hold because the area has been identified as a potential bog turtle habitat. Some even claim to have seen one or two of these tiny turtles, which have been on the threatened species list since 1997.

In addition to delaying the bridge work, the state DEP is requiring a new study to determine whether the bridge work could adversely impact Pennsylvania's smallest turtle. It will cost the County $21,000, according to Public Works Director Richard Young.

Yesterday's Finance Committee unanimously agreed to foot the bill - they have no choice - but not without a few turtle jokes.

Hayden Phillips drew the biggest laugh.

"They're going to take pictures of individual turtles as they find them. I don't know if they have a yearbook. That's the EPA."

According to Pennsylvania's Fish and Boat Commission, bog turtles live about 20-30 years, but spend half that time in a dormant state, buried in mud.

Kinda' like a blogger.

They only grow four inches long  Their shells are too soft to protect themselves from predators, so they dive into the mud.