MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF PITCHER ( SPP.) ON GEORGIA POWER COMPANY RIGHTS OF WAY

Seven species ofpitcherplant$ occur in Georgia. Only one species is Federally protected. 1. Green pitcherplant (Sarracenia oreophila )-rare, few records in Georgia. The closest state record is near the fall line in north Taylor county about 4 miles from the nearest 46Kv line right ofway. There are two records from Towns County (TVA) and Gilmer County (Not close enough to show on map). Federally En{langered Sp~ies.

2. Yellow flytrap (Sarraceniaflava)- Coastal Plain, occurs in 42 counties, most showy ofthe group 3. Whitetop pitcherplant - () Coastal P~ Southwest Georgia, former candidate for federal listing. A natural occurrence has not been recorded since 1987. Rarity due in part to southwest Georgia being on the periphery ofits range. State records are from 5 counties (Sumter, Early, Seminole, Lee and Thomas). Only the Sumter County record warranted surveying and it was not found on the 46Kv line, 1 mile southeast of Americus. 4. Hooded pitcherplant (Sarracenia minor) - Common, found in 50 Coastal Plain counties. 5. Parrott pitcherplant () - Fairly common in 27 Coastal· Plain counties. 6. Purple pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) - Rare in Georgia, 4 records from the Coastal Plain and the Mountains. Lee County is an ambiguous location. The Rabun COlmty location did not show up as being close enough for concern. Nor did the Stewart county location is not a Georgia Power county. The Tattnall County site is at Manassas Bog which is crossed by a Georgia Power Company 46Kv line and has been set aside for special management but has recently been vandalized by 4-wheelers. 7. ' Sweet pitcherplant () - Fairly common in 19 Upper Coastal Plain coUlities. '"

BMI~ PIT~LANI BIQLQGY: PitcherpJants occur in bogs, seeps, wetland .margins, roadside ditches and other low areas, primarily below the fall line in Georgia. Such wet areas must have a open canopy as pitcherplants require high light intensity for flowering and sustaining population vitality. Land drainage, along with encroaclnnentof shrubs and trees due to fire suppression; have greatly decreased the former range and nwnbers. In addition, pitcherplants are ofinterest to collectors and nursery .operations because oftheir unique appearance and insectivorous habits, resulting in over collecting for the commercial market. possmLE IMPACIS AND BECOMMENPATIQN§:

1. Drainage ofwet areas sypporting pitCherpJant colonies: This is a very serious concern for conserving pitcher plant colonies; as the more robust colonies are fowd on wet areas. Draining wet areas for agriculture or timber is done by the landowner and Georgia Power Company has no control over this action since the landowner retains all rights to the land except what the right ofway agreement . calls for. Drainage ofrights ofway lands is not a maintenance method used by. Georgia Power. When selecting a route for constructing a new line, wetlands and bogs are avoided ifat all possible, so protection for major pitcher plant habitats is addressed in the planning process.

2. Encroachment ofshrub and overstory species into the colony: Pitcherplants were once a part ofthe natural fire community that existed when fire periodically swept over the area killing overstory trees and shrubs that threatened colonies with extinction from shading. Such burning no longer occurs as it once did. It is certain that periodic mowing and backpack herbicide application are performing .the same function as fire on rights ofways and should be continued in the same ways that are now being used. Clearing by hand in known major colonies is recommended. Backpack herbicide spraying within colonies should be carefully overseen to assure that care is taken to protect indiVidual plants. Burning rights of way vegetation as a management tool is probably not an option as it can cause problems with the conductors. Supervisors ofline maintenance crews should have locations ofsensitive areas as well as some knowledge ofidentifying pitcherplants in the field.

3. Scheduling mowing around the flowering season: Mowing/clearing maintenance has to be done throUghout the year so that scheduling around the flowering season would be difficult. An exception might be made to acconunodate Federally Protected pitcherplants or colonies that the. Georgia Natural Heritage Inventory deems significant enough to give special attention.

4. Vehicle traffic effects: Georgia Power Company vehicles stay on access roads in everyday maintenance so trampling ofcolonies is unlikely to be a problem. However the landowner uses these roads as well. Company employees that work on rights ofway should be made aware ofGeorgia Power Company's concern for pitcherplant protection. .

5. Vandalism ofpits;het.Plant colonies: Four-wheeler use ofrights ofway corridors is a problem for several reasons but can only be addressed (or tolerated) by the landowner. Georgia Power cannot control access to landowner's properties except by keeping gates locked behind them. Designated signage identifying an area ~ ecologically sensitive may be an attractant rather than a hindrance and should be carefully considered beforehand. 6. Identification classes fur workers: A brochure and infonnal classes to teach mowers and herbicide applicators what to look for, would aid the man in the field to make the right decision or inform him ofGeorgia Power's concerns.

7. Special Management projec(ts on Georgia Power Company Rights ofways: While pitcher plants can be common on rights ofways in certain parts ofsouthern Georgia, there are· some locations that are more important from a size as well as sustainable point ofview. Such sites should be identified and adopted by Georgia Power Company to receive special attention in assure their safety. .