POWERGRAMS

6 Caring for the smallest living things, such as wildflowers and mussels, is all part of a day's work for Alabama Power Transmission and Power Delivery. Employees have been working to preserve and protect the Georgia aster and the fine-lined pocketbook mussel, two species found along the Gaston-Yellow Dirt Transmission Line that crosses a 10.5-mile stretch of the Talladega National Forest. When the company needed to replace some of the transmission structures near the right-of-way, it conducted an environmental survey for the U.S. Forest Service to ensure the work would not impact wildlife and vegetation. The assessment highlighted that the population of the aster, a rare, purple flower, has greatly increased thanks to Alabama Power's vegetation management practices. Last fall, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the Georgia aster is no longer a candidate for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act, due in large part to the flower's success in the Talladega forest. "We have created the ideal habitat where the Georgia aster can flourish," said PD Contract Services Team Leader Scott Roddy. "The aster needs an area free of brush and tall vegetation where it will get plenty of sunshine and nutrients. Its habitat requirements mimic our goals, which are to remove tall grasses and vegetation that can affect the safety and reliability of our transmission lines." Although the Georgia aster grows from Alabama to the Carolinas, one of its largest populations is on the Alabama Power/ Talladega right-of-way, said Nick Jackson, line clearing specialist, Eastern Division Office. When it was discovered on the right-of- way in 2002, there were about 170 plants. Today, the number is in the thousands. The company's practice of mowing rights-of-way and spraying herbicides on tall-growing woody vegetation has helped the Georgia aster. For example, since the plant begins maturing in May and blooms in October, all mowing takes place from late fall to early spring when the plant is dormant. "In pioneer days, the plant grew on open post oak savannah in the Southeast where the sunlight could reach the forest floor. Wildfire, often due to lightning strikes, and grazing animals like the bison, also minimize the growth of taller-growing vegetation that will suppress shade-intolerant plants such as the Georgia aster," said Jackson. "By eliminating tall grass and plants through mowing and the use of herbicides, we are recreating the habitat the aster needs to survive." The company installed a gate on the forest roadway leading to the right-of-way to prevent easy access to the plants. "Alabama Power has been good about working with us to preserve the habitat of the Georgia aster," said Art Henderson, wildlife biologist, U.S. Forest Service. "Protecting the Georgia aster is a win-win for us and Alabama Power because we both want to prevent it from becoming an endangered species." "This effort is an example of the company's concern for the environment and its desire to give back and protect what God has given us," Roddy added. The environmental assessment revealed that the endangered fine- lined pocketbook mussel makes its home in Hatchet Creek, near the forest right-of-way. The only access to transmission structures is through the creek. "We decided the best plan was to build a bridge across the creek so we could move materials and equipment without disturbing the mussel," said Pam McDaniel, Environmental Compliance team leader. The project was governed by a Construction Best Practices Plan, said Harold Duncan. Creek banks and rights-of-way were covered with hay to prevent runoff. A fence was temporarily installed to keep silt out of the creek. Transmission employees and contractors built a 2,800-foot- long road to move materials and equipment from the right-of- way access gate to the creek. A bridge was constructed, allowing workers to do future maintenance without disturbing the creek bed. "The project had the potential of becoming a challenge because we're not in the bridge-building business," said Duncan, line construction project supervisor, General Services Complex. "Because we recognized that we would need support, we had Transmission Engineers Jonathan Maddox and Chris White, Transmission Line Inspector Chad Adair, and a representative from the bridge manufacturer on site. Because of that support, building the bridge was almost like second nature." Protecting the state's natural resources is of utmost importance to Alabama Power, said Edna Weaver, project manager, Transmission Project Management and Customer Service. "Alabama Power is committed to the environment," Weaver said. "We take the extra step not only to meet required regulations during construction but also to ensure that controls are in place to meet guidelines going forward through our maintenance efforts. We appreciate our partnership with the Forest Service, which allows us to work together to preserve our nation's natural habitats." By Carla Davis Employees work with US agencies to ensure future of flower, mussel ENVIRONMENT Employees built bridge to save endangered mussel. Georgia aster blooms in October.

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