N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Duke Energy Kick Off New Habitat Enhancement Program

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 27, 2007) – Nonprofit organizations and individuals associated with nonprofits who want to enhance, create and protect fish and wildlife habitat along the Catawba-Wateree  River basin in North and South Carolina may be eligible to receive a grant through a new Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP).

HEP is a cooperative effort by Duke Energy, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The program is funded annually by Duke Energy and includes proceeds from a fee charged to individuals and residential marina developers seeking permits to build piers in the Catawba-Wateree lakes.

Currently, more than $500,000 is available for funding habitat enhancement projects in North Carolina, according to Chris Goudreau, a fishery biologist with the Commission. 

“Some of the projects that could be funded by HEP include installing fish habitat structures, planting beneficial aquatic vegetation, installing resting platforms for turtles and protecting important shoreline habitats with a conservation easement,” Goudreau said.

A panel of scientists will select the projects that will receive funding.

This is the first program of this type for Duke Energy and part of the company’s relicensing efforts for the 11 lakes and 13 hydroelectric power plants located along the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.

Parties interested in seeking funds from the HEP are encouraged to complete an application found at http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/habitat-enhancement-program.asp and submit it by July 31 for this year’s selection.

For more information about HEP, contact Goudreau at (828) 652-4360 ext. 223, or Hugh Barwick, Duke Energy Carolinas, (704) 382-0805.