Taking Proactive Measures To Mitigate Biodiversity Impacts

Rhea-AI Summary

Marathon Petroleum (MPC) has implemented proactive measures to protect biodiversity in areas where it operates. Through its Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS), MPC ensures activities do not negatively impact ecosystems. Specifically, Marathon Pipe Line, a subsidiary managing extensive pipeline right-of-ways, is enhancing these areas with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly plants, aiding at-risk species like the monarch butterfly. Key measures include adjusting construction schedules to avoid disrupting wildlife, mindful pesticide use, conservation mowing, and restoring disturbed areas with native seeds. MPC also conducts post-construction surveys to verify restoration and monitors sensitive sites. Employee and contractor training emphasize biodiversity considerations.

Positive

• Marathon Pipe Line is enhancing right-of-ways with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly wildflowers, aiding at-risk species like the monarch butterfly.
• Incorporating species preservation into operational approaches by prioritizing endangered species and their critical habitats.
• Developing construction schedules to avoid disrupting wildlife activities such as migration and nesting.
• Using mindful pesticide and herbicide practices to support pollinators and wildlife-friendly vegetation.
• Restoring disturbed areas to pre-construction conditions using native seed mixes.
• Monitoring and verifying restoration success through post-construction surveys.
• Training employees and contractors on biodiversity and maintaining sensitive areas.

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 10, 2024 / At MPC, we use proactive measures designed to protect plant and animal species in areas where we operate. Our Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) provides us with a framework to account for the potential effects of our activities on ecosystems and determine the best way to mitigate those effects.

This is particularly important at our subsidiary, Marathon Pipe Line, which manages large amounts of land along our pipeline rights-of-way.

"While Marathon Pipe Line's prior right-of-way clearing program maintained regulatory compliance, it did not address any vegetation structure," said Julie Beaschler, Senior Right of Way Specialist and Right of Way Maintenance Process Leader - Sustainable Landscapes. "Now, by enhancing the right of way with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly wildflowers, we are benefiting at-risk species like the monarch butterfly."

Here's how we mitigate biodiversity impacts throughout the pipeline life cycle:

• Incorporating species preservation into operational approaches, including voluntarily adopting both temporary and permanent changes to prioritize endangered species and their critical habitats.

• Developing our construction schedules to avoid disrupting species migration, spawning, nesting and other activities.

• Being mindful of pesticide and herbicide types, volumes and timing of use to reduce impacts to compatible vegetation that supports pollinators and wildlife.

• Implementing conservation mowing on select pipeline rights of way to avoid disrupting population dynamics such as breeding, feeding and reproductive behaviors.

• Restoring all disturbed areas to pre-construction conditions by seeding/hydroseeding with native seed mixes.

• Adhering to weed management plans to keep previously disturbed areas free of invasive and non-native weeds.

• Conducting post-construction surveys and research to verify sensitive areas have been appropriately restored.

• Monitoring wetland and waterway crossing sites on pipeline rights of way to confirm they are fully restored and functioning.

• Training affected employees and contractors about biodiversity and maintaining assets in sensitive areas.

• Using signage to indicate sensitive areas.

Learn more in the Biodiversity section of our Sustainability Report.

MPL operates 10,000 miles of pipelines across 26 states. Together, its employees uphold its mission to safely and reliably operate pipelines while creating new and exciting ways to enhance communities and strengthen relationships with all stakeholders.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Marathon Petroleum Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/marathon-petroleum-corporation
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Marathon Petroleum Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What measures is MPC taking to protect biodiversity around its pipelines?

MPC is enhancing pipeline rights-of-way with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly plants, adjusting construction schedules, using mindful pesticide practices, and conducting post-construction surveys and monitoring.

How is Marathon Pipe Line helping endangered species like the monarch butterfly?

Marathon Pipe Line is enhancing right-of-ways with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly wildflowers, benefiting at-risk species like the monarch butterfly.

What is the role of the Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) at MPC?

The OEMS framework at MPC helps incorporate species preservation into operational approaches, ensuring activities do not negatively impact ecosystems.

How does MPC ensure restoration of disturbed areas post-construction?

MPC restores disturbed areas to pre-construction conditions using native seed mixes and conducts post-construction surveys to verify restoration success.

What training does MPC provide to its employees regarding biodiversity?

MPC trains its employees and contractors about biodiversity and maintaining assets in sensitive areas to ensure environmental considerations are prioritized.