Cost Comparison of Right-Of-Way Treatment Methods

Abstract

Progress to date of a 3-year impact study of cost comparison of right-of-way (ROW) treatment methods is reported. Conducted by Asplundh Environmental Services (AES) for the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation (ESEERCO), objectives attained thus far include site selection and pretreatment baseline data collection describing in detail conditions on 125 treatment units located on 18 ROWs in New York State, and applications of seven standard ROW treatment methods (five herbicidal and two mechanical), with three replications of each. Pretreatment data cover density/ height of vegetation (analysis of variance): composition of capable (tall growing) species (by species — area curve); abundance and sociability of non-target desirable species; mesic habitat; soils evaluation (compaction, dry bulk density, humus type, and erosion); visual effects (computer analyzed); ROW edge study (identifying ecotones); wildlife habitat evaluation of selected species; and statistical relationships of various factors at the 95 percent significance level. All data were made available in (1) analyzed and clarified field forms, (2) punched cards, (3) permanent electronic data base. Cost data of applying treatments were tabulated and treatment quality evaluated. The final report (c. 1 983) will give complete cost comparison of ROW treatment methods, their environmental impacts, and initial treatment effectiveness.