Auburn, Beauregard, Beulah and Hayden to relocate plants.
As the program builds, the company hopes to include other
stakeholder groups and fishing teams to help.
Alabama Power does not encourage independent
relocation efforts that could spread invasive species. ere
are also state and federal laws prohibiting transport of
invasive species.
It's not just live plants that are used to enhance habitats.
Alabama Power's Environmental Affairs Stewardship
team also uses Christmas trees to improve fishing spots.
Team members bundle the trees together and sink
them at strategic locations, providing a perfect habitat for
various species of fish.
e Christmas trees provide a place for algae, micro-
organisms and invertebrates to colonize. ese small
organisms and insects attract small baitfish, which in turn
draw larger fish, like bass, crappie and catfish.
e tree recycling program began in 1992, and, since
then, more than 60,000 trees have been given second life
as fish habitats in Alabama Power lakes. e coordinates
of each bundle are recorded with GPS to keep track of
where the trees have been placed.
"We've been building fish habits for more than 25 years
now to enhance the recreational opportunities along
the reservoirs we manage," said Mike Clelland, Alabama
Power Environmental Affairs specialist. "An important
part of this project is that we partner with people in
communities across Alabama, from state and federal
agencies and home and boat owner association groups, to
high school fishing teams and students."
e team also sinks habitats made from concrete and
PVC pipe, which will last many years longer than the
three- to five-year life of the Christmas trees.
Information on fishing spots can be found online at
apcshorelines.com/recreation/fishing.
34
| 2018 Vol:2
