Supplement Analysis for the Transmission System Vegetation Management Program FEIS (DOE/EIS-0285/SA-15)

Technical Report · Tue Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/823878· OSTI ID:823878

BPA proposes to clear unwanted vegetation in the rights-of-ways and around tower structures that may impede the operation and maintenance of the subject transmission lines. Work also includes clearing of a small (<1/4 mile) section of access road. All work will be in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code and BPA standards. See Section 1.1 of the attached checklist for detailed information on each section of the referenced transmission lines. BPA will conduct the vegetation control with the goal of removing tall-growing vegetation that is currently or will soon be a hazard to the transmission lines and where possible to promote low-growing plant communities in the right-of-way. This project meets the standards and guidelines for the Transmission System Vegetation Management Program Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). The vegetation needing control is mainly Douglas Fir, Alder, and blackberries as indicated in Section 1.2 of the attached checklist. The work involved in the ROW includes: clearing tall growing vegetation that is currently or will soon pose a hazard to the lines; treating the associated stumps and re-sprouts with herbicide to ensure that the roots are killed preventing new sprouts; and selectively eliminating tall growing vegetation before it reaches a height or density to begin competing with low-growing vegetation. All work will take place in existing rights-of-ways and around transmission structures. All work will be accomplished by selective vegetation control methods to assure that there is little potential harm to non-target vegetation and to low-growing plants. The work will provide system reliability and fire protection. Also, all off right-of-way trees that are potentially unstable and will fall within a minimum distance or into the zone where the conductors swing will be removed. Access roads will be treated using mowing and herbicide applications. The work will provide system reliability. The subject transmission lines range from 115kV to 230kV and are made up of accompanying access roads, steel and wooden transmission line structures and associated switching platforms. The minimum clearance ranges from 21 feet for 115kV lines to 23 feet for 230kV lines. ROW easement widths vary along the length of the project. Vegetation control for this project is designed to provide a 3 year maintenance free interval. In summary, the overall vegetation management scheme will be to selectively remove tall growing vegetation then apply selective herbicide treatment using cut stump applications.

• Research Organization: U.S. Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42) (US)
• OSTI ID: 823878
• Report Number(s): DOE/EIS-0285/SA-15; TRN: US200430%%1401
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 19 Jun 2001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CLEARANCE
COMMUNITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
HERBICIDES
MAINTENANCE
MANAGEMENT
PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
RECOMMENDATIONS
RELIABILITY
SAFETY
STEELS
TREES
SA
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
ROW
ROSS-ST. JOHN
ROSS-CARBORUNDUM
TRANSMISSION LINE
ROSS-RIVERGATE
ROSS-ALCOA
ROSS-CARBORUNDUM CLARK PUD LOCATION: THE ROWS SPAN SECTIONS OF VANCOUVER WASHINGTON AND PORTLAND OREGON AND ARE ALL LOCATED IN THE OLYMPIA REGION.