Mar 3, 2021
CASE STUDY:
Environmental protection in action: protecting snakes
Snakes slithering out of hibernation recently were greeted by friendly Buckeye Xpress (BXP) and Keystone XL herpetologists – also known colloquially as snake wranglers.
On the BXP project currently under construction in southern Ohio, part of the pipeline is near a snake hibernaculum – or winter snake den – where species protected by the state, such as the timber rattlesnake, are known to roam. For that reason, the BXP team put in place mitigation measures to ensure the safety of snakes. This includes enlisting the herpetologists to check the site every morning and evening for the presence of snakes. They're also on call throughout the day in case one is spotted. Since construction began, the snake wranglers have caught two timber rattlesnakes.
Meanwhile, since April 2019, the Keystone XL project team has been conducting snake monitoring research in southern Alberta at multiple sites near the pathway of the pipeline.
The multi-year monitoring program is intended to span pre-construction through to post-construction. The research will help determine the effects of our pipeline construction activities on snakes and validate the success of our planned mitigation measures to protect them.
In spring 2020, our friendly herpetologists greeted more than 850 snakes slithering out of hibernation.
Read the full stories on BXP and Keystone XL to learn more.
CASE STUDY:
Protecting a wonder of West Virginia
The Monongahela National Forest (MNF) in West Virginia – one of the most biologically diverse national forests in the U.S. – happens to be along the pathway of the WB Xpress (WBX) natural gas pipeline, which was recently placed into service.
For nearly four years, TC Energy worked closely with various MNF resource specialists, including soil scientists, wildlife biologist, hydrologists, aquatic biologists and botanists during the planning, permitting and construction phases of the project.
“The TransCanada team really made an effort to work with us on the WB XPress project. They set a high standard, and went out of their way to ensure that all forest resources were protected. The team stayed true to their word, followed up on their commitments, and could be relied on to do what they said they were going to do. They also talked with us throughout the project and were very transparent about their actions. The company should be proud of the quality of work performed by this team.”
- Clyde Thompson, Monongahela National Forest Supervisor
