Consumers Energy Returns Rare Turtles to Their Homes in Southwest Michigan

COLDWATER, Mich., Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Six rare turtles returned home recently to wetlands in Branch County following the installation of a Consumers Energy natural gas pipeline.

"The herpetologist we hired to help protect wildlife along our right of way cared for five globally rare Blanding's turtles and one musk turtle, a species in decline, while crews installed our natural gas pipeline," said Margaret O'Connor, an environmental planner for Consumers Energy. "I'm not sure who was more thrilled – us or the turtles – when they swam back into their natural environment."

The five Blanding's turtles all came from the same pond and were put back into it together. The musk turtle was released in a different wetland where it was found about 15 miles away.

"The turtles were provided the best care during their stay at our facility though nothing compares to their natural habitat," said David Mifsud, herpetologist and owner of Herpetological Resource & Management, LLC, a Michigan-based firm dedicated to conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles. "I commend Consumers Energy for proactively protecting these turtles and other reptiles and amphibians associated with this project. They do it as conscientious environmental stewards – much of what they do is not required to preserve wildlife. They've gone the extra mile because they care."

Consumers Energy has been recognized for its dedication to preserve natural resources, and properties for the company have received certification by the Wildlife Habitat Council.

The natural gas pipeline being installed is called the Southwest 1200B Pipeline Project. It will run 24 miles through St. Joseph and Branch counties and completes a 90-mile dual gas transmission pipeline corridor, which will increase value, reliability and safety for Consumers Energy's 1.7 million natural gas customers.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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TURTLE FACTS:
Blanding's turtles are globally endangered and declining throughout the Great Lakes region. In Michigan, they are considered a species of special concern and protected by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources from take.

All the Blanding's turtles found in the Southwest Pipeline 1200B Project area were likely more than 50-years old. They can live for 90 years or more.

Musk turtles are smaller than Blanding's turtles. They are a good indicator of water quality and herpetologists have noted their decline in recent years.

A permit is required to remove turtles from the wild.  

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SOURCE Consumers Energy