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Rights of Way (ROW) Management

CVEC maintains right-of-way along over 4400 distribution miles of line (including over 3300 overhead miles) to ensure that our crews can work safely in the area and to protect our service reliability. Trees that grow into our lines will cause outages and endanger our crews.

We use different mechanical methods for clearing the ROW, cutting new trees, and sidewalling adjoining trees. You have probably seen our maintenance crews bushhogging or using chain saws to clear the corridors beneath our power lines.

Because keeping the lights on is our primary goal, we are clearing the trees that could grow into the overhead power lines that deliver electricity to you and your neighbors. Trees that grow under the power lines are the greatest threat to reliable electric service.

While the right-of-way looks nice after we clear cut or bushhog, a mature root system remains beneath the surface. This system will issue root extensions that quickly become new saplings.

Since we can't cut the entire ROW every year, trees may be 6-10 feet by the time that we return. The battle is never-ending.

With 3200 miles of overhead electric distribution line, we tackle this problem every day. Our maintenance program is like the bridge painting crew that puts the last touch on one end of the bridge, then must go to the other end to start all over again.

As soon as our crews complete a circuit around the system, it is time to start again. Consequently, CVEC generally inspects and clears your section of the power line rights-of-way every 5-6 years.

Along with our work to clear cut and bushhog the rights-of-way, we have another strategy for maintaining our rights-of-way. In some areas, CVEC is using an environmentally safe herbicide to convert these wooded corridors to greenways, which are dominated by flowers, grasses, ferns, and shrubs.

In short, we selectively remove the root system that produces trees and make room for meadow plants in a safe and effective manner.

How does this work? When new trees are about four feet tall, we return to that section of right-of-way. Rather than clear cut everything, our professional crews apply a low-volume spray directly to the leaves of each tree in the power line corridor. Working with a 1/2 inch feed line or backpack, each applicator moves from tree to tree, spraying a 2-4% herbicidal solution. CVEC features the herbicide "Accord," which is sold to homeowners under the brand name of "Roundup."

"Accord" has a "plant specific" mode of action. Its active ingredient is absorbed into the leaves, travels to the root system, and interrupts the tree's ability to process amino acids. The tree, and a good portion of the root system, is eliminated.

When we return in 4-5 years, we find about half the number of trees that would be present if we had manually cut the right-of-way. After the second application, the conversion to a corridor with meadow-typical plants is essentially complete. The repetitive cycle of cutting and regrowth of trees under power lines is replaced with a stable greenway, dominated by low-growing plants and shrubs.

Other than the occasional new sapling, the use of the herbicide then becomes unnecessary. Our crews continue to trim branches that grow into the line from trees that border the right-of-way. This maintenance practice is known as side walling.

When CVEC considered a herbicide program, we set high standards. We found that a right-of-way conversion program is considered more effective and safer for the environment when compared to bushhogs and chains saws.

When CVEC considered a herbicide program, we set high standards. We found that a right-of-way conversion program is considered more effective and safer for the environment when compared to bushhogs and chains saws. We submitted our plan to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and have been accepted in the EPA's Environmental Stewardship program.

Why is this program considered environmentally friendly?

Accord works with a plant's system but is not metabolized by humans and other mammals.
Accord is safe for birds, fish, and honeybees.
Accord is used to battle non-native water plants that can invade and overrun fishponds, lakes, and sensitive coastal wetlands.
Unlike petroleum products, Accord will not leach into groundwater. Any spray that does fall to the ground bonds to the upper layer of soil, and stays there until it becomes inert.
The low growing plants estalish a permanent wildlife habitat is created in the rights-of-way. This new habitat is especially suitable for quail, wild turkey, and other ground-nesting birds.

The Cooperative has been pleased with the results of our program, and we believe that you will be impressed with the results.

If we plan to use a herbicide to reduce the new tree growth on your property, we will include a notification in your monthly electric bill before we start the work.

We realize that you may have additional questions or may have a preference to have your property cleared with a chain saw or bushhog.

We would be pleased to answer your questions or craft a right-of-way maintenance alternative that will meet your needs.

Have questions or want more information?

Feel free to e-mail the Cooperative Forester or call 800-367-2832.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative
Corporate Headquarters: 800 Cooperative Way Arrington, VA 22922-3300	phone: (434) 263-8336 toll-free: (800) 367-2832 fax: (434) 263-8339	Mailing Address: P.O. Box 247 Lovingston, VA 22949