With the help of the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), wildlife - ospreys, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflowers, endangered gopher tortoises and even American alligators - find protection in natural habitats surrounding nuclear power plants.
A number of CASEnergy Coalition members are familiar with the stellar work of WHC. For our members who have not yet partnered with this organization, we would like to introduce you to this important conservation group.
Photo 1: butterfly in field
Pollinators, such as an eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), benefit from the blooming wildflowers at Exelon Corporation’s 1,800-acre Byron Generating Station in north central Illinois. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Koelbl-Crews, WHC Wildlife Biologist.
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WHC is a nonprofit, nonlobbying 501(c)(3) international group of 100 corporations, over two dozen conservation organizations and numerous individuals dedicated to restoring, enhancing and increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat. More than 2 million acres in 48 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 other countries are managed for wildlife through WHC-assisted projects. Programs on these lands are corporate-driven efforts between management, employees, community members, local conversation groups and government agencies.
These voluntary efforts of voluntary wildlife teams maintain a myriad of native flora and fauna as well as help to increase the populations of endangered or threatened species. Many locations offer educational programs and recreational outlets providing easy access to experience the natural settings with nature centers, hiking trails and viewing platforms.
WHC helps companies voluntarily manage their lands for the benefit of wildlife. WHC’s President, Robert Johnson explains, “The Wildlife Habitat Council enjoys participation by all business sectors, and particularly the nuclear energy sector, in our efforts to encourage companies to increase the amount of quality wildlife habitat on their properties. The large expanses of buffer land around these facilities offer excellent opportunity for employees and the community to work together to develop critical habitat for migratory birds, pollinators and other native wildlife that depend on biodiverse lands.” Several members of the CASEnergy Coalition are active with WHC, including DTE Energy, Exelon Corporation, General Electric Company and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG).
WHC’s internationally recognized Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/International Accreditation Program validates the impressive efforts of employees, volunteers and local groups who assist in maintaining these projects. Certification provides third-party credibility and an objective evaluation of projects. Since 1990, WHC has certified 408 sites worldwide for establishing a Wildlife at WorkSM habitat program. In addition, over 50 Corporate Lands for LearningSM programs now reach thousands of learners from schools and scout groups to master gardeners and university researchers.
DTE Energy through its subsidiary Detroit Edison certified eight power plants, including the 1,100-megawatt Fermi 2 Power Plant. Located on the western shoreline of Lake Erie in Monroe County, Michigan, Fermi 2 became the first nuclear power plant certified by WHC in 2000. The coastal marshes at the plant provide important stopover sites for migratory birds and support a population of the endangered American lotus. The habitat team at Fermi 2 also maintains a wildflower meadow and actively participates in conservation education. DTE Energy agreed with the USDA Forest Service to cooperatively manage the site’s 675 acres of wildlife habitat, making it part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
“Being recognized as a certified site in the eyes of the Wildlife Habitat Council offers benefits to our company. The community and employee awareness and enthusiasm are measurable. Being active in environmental processes and solutions is simply put - the right thing to do,” said Robert A. Richard, Senior Vice President - Fossil Generation, Detroit Edison and WHC Board Member.
Exelon joined WHC in 2005 and has since initiated involvement at eleven sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois, with a focus on assessment and conservation of biodiversity at their nuclear facilities. In 2007, they plan to implement habitat projects as recommended by WHC biologists ranging from wetland enhancement, invasive plant control and even place-based education.
In 2005, PSEG achieved habitat certification for their Estuary Enhancement Program (EEP), which encompasses more than 20,000 acres on the Delaware Bay coast in New Jersey and Delaware. The company’s program was additionally recognized through WHC’s International Habitat Conservation Awards with the “Rookie of the Year” award for exemplifying a superior habitat program in an initial certification.
EEP consists of seven wetland restoration sites ranging from 578 to 4,171 acres, 13 fish ladder sites and a large preservation site measuring 4,384 acres. The company proposed the program as part of a landmark cooling water discharge permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 1994 for PSEG’s Salem Generating Station. The program’s objective is to provide expanded spawning and nursery habitat and food sources needed by fish and other aquatic life, including construction of artificial reefs, fish ladders and osprey nesting platforms. At the Salem Generating Station, the use of an upgraded cooling water intake system with state-of-the-art fish protection technologies and limited intake of cooling water minimizes harm to fish.
WHC is dedicated to working in collaboration with the industry in helping protect the environment and enhancing biodiversity at nuclear power plants and throughout the supply chain as demonstrated by the recent certification of programs at GE Energy facilities. Consider incorporating biodiversity conservation and employee involvement in your site’s sustainability efforts. WHC will help you achieve success.
For further information about WHC, its various projects, certification program and how to become a member, please visit www.wildlifehc.org or call 301-588-8994.