The City of Hillsboro is dedicated to reducing its impact on wildlife and fostering its protection throughout the lifecycle of its electric utility infrastructure. This policy underscores our commitment to wildlife habitat preservation, the protection of individual animals, and the promotion of responsible environmental stewardship.

Legal Compliance:

We adhere strictly to all relevant local, national, and international wildlife protection laws and regulations, encompassing habitat preservation, species conservation, and animal welfare.

Environmental Impact Assessments:

1.    Before any new infrastructure projects or significant modifications, the potential risks to wildlife and their habitats will be evaluated and assessed, taking into account protected species, migratory paths, breeding areas, and ecologically sensitive zones. In such cases, mitigation strategies would be devised and executed to lessen any adverse effects.

2.    Recognizing the critical need to preserve wildlife habitats, our operations strive to limit encroachment into these areas. We engage with wildlife specialists and stakeholders to safeguard critical habitats and foster biodiversity.

Avian Protection:

1.    In acknowledgment of the risks posed to bird species, we implement measures to reduce bird collisions, electrocutions, and other hazards related to our infrastructure, including the adherence to recognized avian protection standards.

Nesting and Breeding Season Protocols:

1.    Extra precautions are taken during nesting and breeding seasons to prevent disturbance to wildlife. Surveys are carried out to identify and protect sensitive sites before starting any construction or maintenance work.

Employee Training and Awareness:

1.    We provide targeted training and awareness initiatives for all personnel involved in infrastructure installation and maintenance, covering wildlife protection policies, environmental assessment methods, species identification, and impact minimization practices.

Reporting and Incident Response:

1.    We encourage the reporting of wildlife incidents or risks associated with our operations. In such cases, structured reporting and response measures are conducted to swiftly mitigate any negative wildlife impacts.

Continuous Improvement:

1.    Our commitment to enhancing wildlife protection is ongoing. We regularly review and update our policies and practices based on incident analysis and the latest in conservation research to ensure continued advancement in environmental stewardship.

(04-16-2024)