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APS’ Wildlife Protection Plan was created to protect the natural habitat of indigenous wildlife and to ensure the company’s operations and maintenance activities are compliant with various state and federal regulations, while helping to maintain the integrity of our company’s electrical transmission system. The APS Wildlife Protection Program focuses on three areas: - prevention
- training
- partnerships
Prevention activities include line construction standards and installation of raptor protection devices. Key personnel are trained in raptor protection issues. APS’ partnerships with non-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations, such as Liberty Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Game, handle specific issues and help keep the wildlife protection programs up to date and effective.
APS received a Surrender Approval Order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in October 2004, authorizing the decommissioning of the Childs and Irving Hydroelectric Power Plants. With the approval, APS took the opportunity to return a work site to its pristine natural condition, creating an ecosystem where nature can continue to thrive. 
APS received final authorization from FERC and decommissioning activities began at facilities along the banks of Fossil Creek and the Verde River.
Decommissioning – which will take several years – will include the deconstruction of two dams and the removal of an estimated 630 tons of flume wood, 1,200 tons of flume steel and pipe and 1,300 cubic yards of concrete. APS initially applied for a license renewal, but in 2000 decided to close Arizona’s first hydroelectric plants and restore full flow to Fossil Creek. Working with a number of environmental groups, government agencies, Northern Arizona University and others, APS engineers finalized plans to return full flow to Fossil Creek and restore the area to a condition similar to that which might have been seen nearly a century ago when the plants were conceived. Childs and Irving, which occupy about 300 acres within Coconino National Forest, were constructed in the early 1900s to support the mining industry and development in central Arizona. The plants were initially granted a 50-year license in 1951.
APS receives Tree Line USA Award
APS’ Vegetation Management department oversees the trimming and removal of trees that have the potential to come into contact with APS power lines in both rural and urban communities. Proper maintenance of our transmission and distribution system is critical to our ability to deliver reliable power to our customers. Electric line maintenance involves more than identifying line faults; it includes pole selection, vegetation management and raptor and wildlife protection. The APS Forestry and Special Programs and Transmission and Distribution Engineering and Standards Departments identify areas of concern and both departments perform audits to determine compliance with the law. On new substation installations, wildlife protective covering is also installed. APS Substation Maintenance has committed to retrofit four substations each year in our northern divisions and 120 units each year in our southern divisions. Our Vegetation Management program follows industry tree trimming standards to limit damage and improve overall tree health. We follow the Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) strategy on minimizing pesticide use. Many industry and environmental groups have recognized us for our practices and commitment to arborist education.
APS has almost 100 vegetation management employees statewide. These professionals help ensure trees do not grow into – or fall onto – more than 20,000 miles of transmission and distribution power lines statewide, preventing power disruptions and dangerous situations for APS employees and customers. In 2003, an agreement between APS and IBEW local 387 leaders brought more than 80 IBEW employees in-house to help the department’s tree-management efforts throughout the state. The department retained its structure — except the workers are now APS employees. Prior to the move, the employees were contract workers. “This is a positive thing. We’ve filled these APS positions with union members,” said Local 387’s Business Manager Roy Sapp. “We’ve participated in a process that creates jobs while allowing APS to do a job efficiently and as safely as possible.”
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The Arizona Quality Alliance honored APS for its environmental stewardship with the first ever Showcase in Excellence Award. The company’s Wildlife Protection Program won the award, which represents a high level of achievement in performance excellence and a commitment to quality. APS’ program centers on preventing birds of prey and other wildlife from contacting electric lines.
… The American Fisheries Society recently applauded the company’s commitment to the environment:
“APS’ dedication to getting this project completed in cooperation with stakeholders has never wavered, despite some very challenging issues to overcome including threatened and endangered species, National Environmental Protection Act requirements and balancing the native fish restoration project in conjunction with decommissioning. We are so appreciative of APS and its commitment to Fossil Creek,” said Scott Bryan, department biologist and president of the American Fisheries Society Arizona-New Mexico chapter.
.…APS Tree Line USAAward
For the eighth consecutive year, APS received the Tree Line USA award given by the Arbor Day Foundations. The Tree Line award recognizes both public and private utilities throughout the country that demonstrate superior practices to protect and enhance America’s urban forests. Utilities are considered for the award for meeting standards in quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education.
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