STP News Release

TEXAS PRAIRIE WETLANDS DEDICATED TODAY
AT SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT

March 10, 1997 -- Bay City, TX—The Texas Prairie Wetlands Project was officially dedicated at the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station this morning at 11:30, with representatives from Ducks Unlimited, STP and other project participants performing a ribbon-cutting along the shore of the shallow, waterfowl habitat. With spring approaching, STP personnel will soon begin draining the 110-acre wetlands habitat in keeping with their agreement with Ducks Unlimited now that the site no longer is needed to support winter migratory waterfowl. The agreement between STP and Ducks Unlimited calls for the Wetlands Project to be flooded from November through March for 15 years, beginning with the 1996-97 season.

The Wetlands Project represents a first-of-its-kind partnership between Ducks Unlimited and Gulf-Coast industry. The project was completed in November, 1996, and involved the construction of the prairie wetlands habitat to the north of the STP site between the plant and Texas road FM 521. The Wetlands program is administered by Ducks Unlimited to provide much-needed habitat for a host of winter migratory and Gulf Coast waterfowl and waterbird species. The Wetlands Project is jointly funded by Ducks Unlimited, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Water to flood the wetlands area was provided by arrangement with the Lower Colorado River Authority from its rice irrigation canals after the end of the rice season.

"The Wetlands Project offers a unique opportunity for the public to view shallow water habitat," said Houston Lighting & Power Co. Environmental Department Representative Breck Sacra. "Just today, several species of ducks were observed, including Teal, Pintail, Gadwall and Shovelers."

South Texas Project Environmental Consultant Sandy Dannhardt said the wetlands project has been well-received and -supported by Matagorda County residents and tourists—especially bird-watchers. "We’re very pleased with the diversity of species we’ve been able to attract to our wetlands, and we expect the species diversity and bird count to increase each year as more and more migratory species discover our site. In the previous months this site has hosted many geese, shore birds, egrets, herons, Ospreys and even Bald Eagles. Everyone at STP has really supported and followed this project, and we’re looking forward to undertaking other special environmental projects in the future."