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ABSTRACT |
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TITLE: |
Planting Shrubs for the Creation of Sustainable Power Line Rights-of-Way |
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AUTHOR(S): |
Robert F. Young - robert.young@nspower.ca Edward J. Glover |
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Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) develops
sustainable rights of way (ROW) to ensure safe, reliable delivery of
electricity. To achieve sustainable ROWs, NSPI
implements an Integrated Vegetation Management program to develop plant
communities that are compatible with power lines. These communities are
established via selective management
to control the growth of incompatible species, and some active planting of compatible species. In 1994 NSPI planted 2000
speckled alder (Alnus rugosa)
seedlings using typical forest industry methods on ROWs
to determine the viability of growing native alders in a controlled
environment and to determine the viability of using alder as a form of
vegetation control. In 1996, 14,000 alders were planted with the intent to
study impacts on wildlife. In 1998, NSPI adopted a new vegetation management
strategy wherein planting compatibles is recognized as an integral part of
the company’s program to manage ROWs. Currently,
the company estimates that 38% of transmission lines are sustainable through
the development of stable compatible vegetation. NSPI plans to increase the sustainable area on
transmission and distribution systems by 10 and 15%, respectively, within 5
years. To meet these targets the company is planning to plant hundreds of
thousands of compatible species annually on rights of way, commencing in
2000. NSPI is developing partnerships and strategies with others who will
gain from planting initiatives. Pilot projects with two provincial Government
departments have been started: (1) The Nova Scotia Department of Natural
Resources (NSDNR) non-timber Integrated Resource Management (IRM) objectives
are being supported by planting ROWs which cross
provincial Crown Lands, and (2) Projects with the Nova Scotia Department of
Transportation and Public Works (TPW) which involve management of roadsides
through shrub planting to eliminate the need for frequent maintenance and to
compliment the aesthetics of the roadside are underway. Keywords:
Compatible vegetation, speckled
alder, stable community, Nova Scotia Power Inc. |
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