News

CVJV Welcomes PG&E to its Management Board

Per unanimous vote by the Management Board during its May 7th meeting in the Grasslands, PG&E was welcomed as the newest Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) member and only corporate partner. CVJV Coordinator Bob Shaffer was delighted with the vote. "Through various programs and a strong environmental ethic, PG&E, offers the Joint Venture partnership some new tools and expertise to strengthen the habitat conservation work we do. We know they are a valued partner on the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture. We all look forward to PG&E's participation on the CVJV Board," said Shaffer.

PG&E has much to offer an organization whose mission is to work collaboratively through diverse partnerships to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, and riparian songbirds. Recently PG&E adopted a voluntary Avian Protection Plan for the PG&E service territory. The Avian Protection Plan model is supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a way public utility companies nationwide can reduce their impacts on migratory birds. Several elements within the plan link closely to key CVJV initiatives.

Other programs within PG&E such as the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Program (VELB) also have direct linkages with the goals and initiatives of the CVJV. PG&E is currently in the process of adopting HCP's to cover its entire service territory for operations and maintenance activities. The San Joaquin and Sacramento HCP's cover the CVJV area.

As part of the VELB program PG&E has obtained a 30-year permit with the USFWS. This permit includes 1000 acres of VELB habitat; 26 acres remain for protection. PG&E also recently completed a project with the Nature Conservancy protecting 220 acres. These areas protected also benefit the species included in the restoration goals of the CVJV.

The CVJV Management Board looks forward to a long and productive partnership with PG&E.

Contacts:

Mike Best

Avian Protection Program Manager
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(209) 932-2559

Bob Shaffer

Coordinator
Central Valley Joint Venture
(916) 414-6459