BIRMINGHAM – Today at Regions Field, Alabama Power and B.A.S.S. signed a conservation partnership agreement at the Media Day of the Bassmaster Classic. The agreement – or memorandum of understanding (MOU) – provides a partnership framework to enhance and maintain productivity of sport-fishing resources on the 11 lakes managed by Alabama Power. The company, B.A.S.S. and local B.A.S.S. Nation clubs are working to improve fish survival rates at local tournaments that will be announced this summer.
“We have earmarked more than $20,000 for in-state stewardship this year,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We again look forward to working with Alabama Power to enhance and protect water resources and fish habitat in our home state.”
Since the two organizations signed their first MOU in 1992, B.A.S.S. Nation members across the state have been heavily involved in protecting warm-water resources through Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers and Fish Habitat programs.
“A common interest in Alabama’s waterways led to our first partnership more than two decades ago,” said Mike Godfrey, Alabama Power environmental affairs manager. “Since it was signed, that partnership has helped grow two of our state’s largest stewardship programs. Today, we look toward new partnerships to benefit Alabama waterways.”
Since 1993, Alabama Power employees, B.A.S.S. Nation members and community volunteers have partnered to build and install more than 56,000 fish attraction devices on 10 lakes managed by Alabama Power. The devices provide bedding and cover for fish, and GPS coordinates on the company’s website allow anglers to return and fish these spots.
In 2000, B.A.S.S. Nation members again joined with Alabama Power employees and community volunteers to help grow Renew Our Rivers. Marking its 15th year in 2014, the program has made a remarkable impact in protecting state waterways – drawing more than 56,000 participants and removing more than 13.5 million pounds of trash across the Southeast.
The partnership agreement is one of many ways the company is working to improve Alabama. As an event sponsor, Alabama Power supports the expected $20 million economic impact of the Bassmaster Classic event to the state.
For more information on Renew Our Rivers and the 11 lakes managed by Alabama Power, visit AlabamaPower.com and click “Lake Conditions” on the left.