WWW.KINDERMORGAN.COM PROTECTING THREATENED PLANT SPECIES Healthy and diverse ecosystems offer many important benefits to our environment, our company, our employees and the communities where we operate. As part of our planning, development, construction and decision-making process, we work hard to reduce impacts on biodiversity. TOBUSCH FISHHOOK CACTUS Federally listed threatened species State of Texas listed endangered species Known or believed to occur in only ten counties in Texas, including Bandera, Edwards, SUPPORTING RESEARCH We take great care to minimize impacts on the environment where we work and operate. Our plans and procedures are designed to meet or exceed established standards that protect environmentally sensitive areas, such as water bodies, wetlands and endangered species habitats. This includes our efforts to help preserve and protect the Tobusch Fishhook Cactus by collecting these plants within the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline Project right-of-way and providing plants for biodiversity research. SURVEY AND COLLECTION PROCESS Initial Tobusch Fishhook Cactus surveys were conducted during the plant's flowering season from January to April. PROJECT CONNECTION The Tobusch Fishhook Cactus habitat and plants were identified within portions of the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline Project right-of-way in Texas during the project's pre-construction environmental survey. We consulted with local agency biologists to develop a conservation program for the species. We took additional steps to work with a state university to support its research on the plant. Surveys conducted outside of the flowering period included counting the radial spines unique to the cactus. This allowed additional plants to be identified beyond the flowering period. Qualified biologists returned to the project right- of-way prior to construction and safely collected the previously identified plants. Approximately 130 plants were collected and transported to a state university that is conducting reintroduction research to increase knowledge about the species' biology. Instead of simply relocating the plants adjacent to the project right-of-way, the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline Project went further to improve the long-term viability of the Tobusch Fishhook Cactus by supporting research being conducted by a state university. The university agreed to house and care for the collected plants as part of the reintroduction research, which will include assessing suitable sites for the plants and long-term monitoring to determine the health and reproductive success of each cactus. Research efforts are aimed at the recovery and delisting of the cactus from the State of Texas endangered and federally designated threatened species lists. Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Val Verde counties

Tobusch Cactus (6) - Kinder Morgan · Cactus by collecting these plants within the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline Project right-of-way and providing plants for biodiversity research

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Page 1: Tobusch Cactus (6) - Kinder Morgan · Cactus by collecting these plants within the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline Project right-of-way and providing plants for biodiversity research

WWW.KINDERMORGAN.COM

PROTECTING THREATENED PLANT SPECIES Healthy and diverse ecosystems offer many important

benefits to our environment, our company, our employeesand the communities where we operate. As part of ourplanning, development, construction and decision-makingprocess, we work hard to reduce impacts on biodiversity.

TOBUSCH FISHHOOK CACTUSFederally listed threatenedspeciesState of Texas listed endangeredspeciesKnown or believed to occur inonly ten counties in Texas,including Bandera, Edwards, SUPPORTING RESEARCH

We take great care to minimize impacts on theenvironment where we work and operate. Our plansand procedures are designed to meet or exceedestablished standards that protect environmentallysensitive areas, such as water bodies, wetlands andendangered species habitats. This includes our effortsto help preserve and protect the Tobusch FishhookCactus by collecting these plants within the Gulf CoastExpress Pipeline Project right-of-way and providingplants for biodiversity research.

SURVEY AND COLLECTION PROCESS Initial Tobusch Fishhook Cactussurveys were conducted duringthe plant's flowering seasonfrom January to April.

PROJECT CONNECTION The Tobusch Fishhook Cactus habitat and plants wereidentified within portions of the Gulf Coast ExpressPipeline Project right-of-way in Texas during theproject's pre-construction environmental survey. Weconsulted with local agency biologists to develop a conservation program for thespecies. We took additional stepsto work with a state university tosupport its research on the plant.

Surveys conducted outside of the flowering periodincluded counting the radial spines unique to thecactus. This allowed additional plants to beidentified beyond the flowering period.Qualified biologists returned to the project right-of-way prior to construction and safely collectedthe previously identified plants.Approximately 130 plants were collected andtransported to a state university that is conductingreintroduction research to increase knowledgeabout the species' biology.

Instead of simply relocating the plants adjacent to theproject right-of-way, the Gulf Coast Express PipelineProject went further to improve the long-termviability of the Tobusch Fishhook Cactus bysupporting research being conducted by a stateuniversity. The university agreed to house and carefor the collected plants as part of the reintroductionresearch, which will include assessing suitable sitesfor the plants and long-term monitoring to determinethe health and reproductive success of each cactus.Research efforts are aimed at the recovery anddelisting of the cactus from the State of Texasendangered and federally designated threatenedspecies lists.

Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Medina, Real, Uvalde, andVal Verde counties

http://www.kindermorgan.com/