Cost Effectiveness of Utility Rights-Of-Way Vegetation Management Treatments: I. Initial Clearing

Abstract

Management of vegetation on electric trans- mission rights-of-way (ROW) is performed to provide reliable transmission of electricity in an economic and environmentally acceptable man- ner. Tall growing vegetation (mainly trees) can cause disruptions in the transmission of electricity by growing or falling into the transmission wires (conductors). The emphasis of ROW vegetation management is to prevent trees from entering or threatening the transmission wires by removing them, and/or by encouraging stable plant com- munities consisting of lower growing species that inhibit establishment of trees. Various manage- ment schemes, including those involving herbi- cides, have been successfully used to achieve these goals in the initial clearing phase of electric utility ROW management. Vegetation clearing modes (selective or nonselective cuts) and her- bicide application methods (stump treat, precut basal or no herbicide treatment) were evaluated for cost effectiveness in accomplishing manage- ment objectives during the first phase of ROW vegetation management — initial clearing.