POWERGRAMS

16 species at Smith Lake, in the Bankhead National Forest and other places around Alabama. That's why collaboration is key: bringing together all interested parties from the public and private sectors to share knowledge, assets and strategies so they are all pulling in the same direction. Cochran praised the partnership that has developed to protect creatures like the flattened musk turtle and Black Warrior waterdog – efforts that include Alabama Power and the Forest Service; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the Geological Survey of Alabama; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; the Alabama Natural Heritage Program at Auburn University; researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; as well as private consultants and businesses, nonprofits and others working together under an umbrella group known as the Alabama Rivers and Streams Network. "We are so few people in Alabama in the aquatic conservation community, with limited budgets and capacity, so we cannot be successful, in my opinion, without working together. "We're learning everything we can to conserve and hopefully recover the species," Cochran said. One way the partners are working to protect the species and help grow its population is supporting efforts to improve turtle habitat along the shoreline of Smith Lake – increasing the number of places where the turtles can shelter and successfully breed. Scientists have learned that the seawalls many people built over the years along the shoreline are not ideal for the turtles. Instead, the turtles prefer a more natural- style water's edge, with rocks, timber and other natural materials that have "nooks and crannies" where they can safely live and mate. In 2012, Alabama Power, in coordination with federal officials, updated the company's shoreline permitting requirements for areas on Smith Lake identified as flattened musk turtle habitat or potential habitat. Under the revised guidelines, when seawalls fall into disrepair and reconstruction is required, or when erosion issues need to be addressed, residents in the identified areas must use a more natural method to stabilize the shoreline. Known as enhanced natural stabilization, or ENS, the method is proving effective in helping support turtle populations. Since the change in permitting requirements, Alabama Power personnel have worked to build awareness among lakeside residents, business owners and construction contractors about ENS and its benefits. Of the 642 miles of shoreline on Smith Lake, over 260 miles are considered "suitable" habitat (identified as either good or moderate) for the flattened musk turtle. That's a lot of territory, and property owners to inform. "We've worked really hard to communicate with the customers and build relationships," said Stacy Thompson, a water compliance specialist in Alabama Power collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish guidelines for shoreline stabilization and erosion control projects on areas of Smith Lake that are considered good or moderate habitat for the threatened flaened musk turtle. The enhanced natural stabilization (ENS) method uses materials that mimic the natural environment preferred by the turtle and other protected species, such as the Black Warrior waterdog, for foraging, cover and breeding. Construction can only take place annually between Nov. 1 and March 31 when the turtle is less active. An Alabama Power permit is required before any construction begins. Baker documents findings to share with others working to preserve wildlife habitat at Smith Lake. NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS SHOULD BE LEFT IN PLACE OR PLANTED THROUGHOUT. LOGS SHOULD BE ANCHORED AND PLACED TO CREATE CREVICES UNDERNEATH. NATIVE ROCK, INCLUDING LARGE, ANGULAR STONES, SHOULD CREATE CREVICES.

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