Alcoa OspreyCam: Three baby chicks have arrived

The Alcoa OspreyCam, a live webcam that follows a pair of osprey at Badin Lake, has captured the hatching of three baby chicks. Over the next two months, viewers can watch the parents feed and care for the chicks as they grow and prepare to take flight.

Osprey chicks usually fledge — or leave the nest for their first flight — in late June or early July. The chicks can be seen making practice flights across the nest as they get ready to take flight.

“It’s a great way to see the wonder of nature, right here in our own backyard,” said Mark Gross, technical manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. “It’s fascinating to watch these little chicks grow and take flights.”

The OspreyCam can be viewed at www.alcoa.com/ospreycam. Visitors can follow updates through the website and join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #AlcoaOspreyCam.

Naming Contest

Alcoa will launch an online contest on later this week to select names for the trio of Osprey chicks. Students from Badin Elementary School suggested names that will be used in the online vote.

“The students had a lot of fun suggesting names for the birds. We got some terrific suggestions and are excited about seeing which names are chosen,” Gross said.

About the OspreyCam

Alcoa launched the OspreyCam in May 2012 to follow two osprey — named Oliveea and Oscar by Alcoa employees — who return every year to a nest situated atop the Narrows Dam. The OspreyCam has received more than 541,000 hits from 87 countries since it was introduced.

Ospreys are large birds — with a wingspan of 5-6 feet — that resemble bald eagles. The birds live along rivers, lakes and other large bodies of water where they can feed on fish. The open water and large tracts of undeveloped shoreline at the Yadkin Project provide the perfect setting for wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons and great egrets. 

Alcoa and Stanly County Reach Agreement on Yadkin Project Relicensing

The Agreement Is Signed

Stanly County, N.C., and Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) reached an agreement Monday night related to Alcoa’s relicensing efforts of the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. The Stanly County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the agreement, which resolves all issues between the County and Alcoa and will provide significant support for infrastructure, economic development and other county needs.

“This agreement provides significant investment in economic development and ensures that Stanly County will have long-term access to clean and affordable water, which is essential to our future growth,” said Stanly County Commission Chairman Gene McIntyre. “We are ready to move forward in a positive direction with Alcoa that will benefit Stanly County residents for years to come.”

“This agreement provides a clear and collaborative path forward that will support our efforts to bring new jobs to the Badin Business Park,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “This is a positive step for both Alcoa and Stanly County, and we appreciate the support of the County Commissioners and Representative Justin Burr in making this agreement a reality.”

As part of the settlement:

Alcoa will support Stanly County’s request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commision (FERC) for future water withdrawals from the Yadkin River, providing access of up to 30 million gallons of water per day from Alcoa’s reservoirs. Alcoa also agreed to provide 20 acres plus right of way for a potential water treatment plant.

Stanly County will support Alcoa’s application for a new Water Quality Certificate from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) as well as its application for a 50 year FERC license.

The organizations will work in partnership on the recruitment of jobs and economic development to Stanly County and the Badin Business Park.

Alcoa will provide $3 million to Stanly County, $1 million of which will be solely for economic development purposes.  Further, Alcoa will provide $100,000 to Stanly County for each year that the term of the FERC license exceeds 40 years.

Signs of Progress: Alcoa, Stanly County Near Agreement

There are signs of progress in our ongoing conversations with Stanly County. On Monday, the Stanly County Commissioners reached consensus on an agreement with Alcoa and APGI that will resolve all outstanding issues surrounding our relicensing and related lawsuits and appeals. 

The Stanly County Commissioners will vote on the agreement on May 6 after it is finalized.

"Today is a great day for Stanly Co," Rep. Justin Burr tweeted on Monday. "Stanly Co & Alcoa have settled their differences and will begin working together again for our community."

"We believe this agreement is in the best interests of the citizens of Stanly County," chairman Gene McIntyre said in an interview with WSPC.

"From Alcoa's perspective, we're very pleased with the agreement we've come to today" said Kevin Anton, Alcoa's Chief Sustainability Officer. We'll continue working on that and look forward to further developing the Badin Business Park."

Read a related story in the Stanly News & Press: Stanly County, Alcoa close to deal.

Alcoa’s OspreyCam Returns: Live Feed Provides Close-Up View of Ospreys at the Yadkin Project

Alcoa has brought back its popular OspreyCam, a live camera that follows a pair of osprey who make their home at Badin Lake. The OspreyCam can be viewed online at www.alcoa.com/ospreycam.

Alcoa originally launched the camera in May 2012 to follow two osprey — named Oliveea and Oscar by Alcoa employees — who return every year to a nest situated atop the Narrows Dam. Last year, viewers were able to closely watch the development of three baby chicks as they grew and prepared to take flight.

More baby chicks are on the way. 

Oliveea recently laid two eggs that should hatch in late April. Viewers will be able to watch as the chicks are hatched and will be able to take part in a contest to help name the birds.

The OspreyCam has received more than 541,000 hits from 87 countries since it was introduced.

“The response has been incredible,” said Mark Gross, technical manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. “We have been following these birds for several years and its exciting to share these amazing images with people around the world.”

Visitors can follow updates on the bird in a related blog on the Alcoa site and can join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #AlcoaOspreyCam.

Ospreys are large birds — with a wingspan of 5-6 feet — that resemble bald eagles. The birds live along rivers, lakes and other large bodies of water where they can feed on fish. The open water and large tracts of undeveloped shoreline at the Yadkin Project provide the perfect setting for wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons and great egrets.

“We are proud that our commitment to preserving the natural habitat around the Yadkin Project has maintained an environment where bald eagles, ospreys and other wildlife can continue to thrive,” Gross said.

Alcoa also operates an EagleCam that provides a live look at two bald eagle chicks in Davenport, Iowa. The site, www.alcoa.com/eaglecam, received more than 12 million visitors last year.

Lexington Dispatch: County signs settlement agreement

Davidson County Commissioner Fred McClure joined me in Lexington last week to officially sign the Relicensing Settlement Agreement on behalf of Davidson County.

The county is the latest organization to signal their support for Alcoa to receive a new license for the Yadkin Project. More than 20 organizations, including state and federal agencies, local governments, environmental groups, and homeowners previously signed the relicensing agreement.

"We just realized we needed to have the partnership with Alcoa," McClure told the Lexington Dispatch.

Click here to read the Lexington Dispatch story.