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2002 ChevronTexaco Corporate Responsibility Report Environmental IssuesCase Study >(Continued)Pembroke Refinery’sBiodiversity PlanCase Study >Protecting Papua New Guinea’sRain Forest> Skylark monitoring and protection: A survey of the grassland in 2002identified between 14 and 18 nesting pairs of skylarks, a European birdlisted on the endangered species list. The density is unusually high forthis type of bird in the area, and Pembroke plans to conduct on-goingmonitoring to determine the overall trend. The fields where the groundnestingskylark breeds are managed so that the birds are not disturbeduntil after the fledglings have left the nest.> Habitat surveys: Students from a local school have undertaken a habitatsurvey of a segment of the fields to identify major plant species, itemsof interest and the general condition of the hedgerows. A further segmentof fields is being surveyed in the summer of 2003. Ecologists also havecarried out a habitat survey of one of the marshes, identifying importantfauna and flora (including otters, a protected species in the UnitedKingdom). Recommendations for future work have been incorporatedinto the BAP.> Woodland management: Arboreal experts prepared a woodland managementplan for the next five years. Activities will include erection of stockfencing, removal of non-native trees, clearance of glades and planting ofnative saplings.To complement its biodiversity initiative, the Pembroke Refinery also initiatedan effort to remodel an existing structure on company property for useas an environmental center. The company is working with The Prince’s Trustto carry out the renovation work, construct ponds and build boardwalks toprovide access to the adjacent marsh. When the facility is completed, it willbe used by schoolchildren as a base for carrying out environmental studiesin the area.ChevronTexaco has brought to life its policy of protecting people and theenvironment in the Kutubu Petroleum Development Project in Papua NewGuinea (PNG). The project area encompasses Lake Kutubu, a pristine lakein the Southern Highlands Province, and extends south to the Gulf ofPapua. The biologically diverse environment includes more than 700 birdspecies; 15,000 flowering plant species; and more than 300 species of fish,amphibians and reptiles. About 20,000 of the country’s 4 million peopleuse the rain forest as a base for subsistence gardening and hunting, andthe Kikori River for transportation and food.Chevron Niugini worked with national and provincial governments, theWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and communities to conserve the environment,preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable communitydevelopment. For example, Chevron Niugini implemented extensive measuresto help protect the environment and avoid environmental disturbanceby burying pipelines, reinjectingproduced water, minimizing roadconstruction, eliminating spills andcomprehensively managing wastes.Chevron Niugini, WWF, the KutubuJoint Venture partners and the PNGChevron Niugini won praise for its national and provincial governmentsprotection of Papua New Guinea also continued the Kikori Integratedrain forests, where the company Conservation and Developmentsold its operations in 2003.Project, a partnership establishedin 1994 to help protect the KikoriRiver system by working with local people to establish a model of ecologicallysustainable development. Noted scientist, environmentalist andPulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Jared Diamond has done numerous biologicalsurveys in the area of project operations. He has publicly praisedChevron Niugini for the effectiveness of its environmental conservationpractices and has referred to the company’s license area as “New Guinea’spremier conservation area.”In 2003, ChevronTexaco sold its assets in PNG and has resigned as operator.Joint venture participants have approved one of the companies, Oil SearchLtd. (OSL), to assume operatorship of the producing and exploration licenses.Final changeover of control will occur in October 2003. ChevronTexaco iscommitted to maintaining existing Chevron Niugini environmental conservationand community development policies, programs and practices throughthe transition to the new operatorship.© 2003 ChevronTexaco Corporation. All Rights Reserved.52