CVEC maintains rights-of-way through the following methods:
Bush Hogging & Chainsaw Work
- Every five years, we may pass through with a tractor and bush hog to knock down saplings and reduce the vegetation to a height where repair crews will be able to reach that section of the power line corridor.
- Where mature trees are present, CVEC may find it necessary to trim and/or lower the overall height of the tree. This will allow five years of growth for the tree and ensure reliable service for you and your neighbors.
Self Maintenance
- Hunt groups and nature enthusiasts often use a right-of way to create a specific habitat for songbirds, butterflies, wild turkeys, quail, and deer. If you have an area of land beneath the power line that you think would be suitable for such a habitat — or for planting a food plot, a good time to start that project would be immediately after CVEC has cleared the ROW.
- Remember, both sides of a ROW need to remain navigable for bucket trucks, trimmers, and bush hogs. Also, tilled food plots can soften the ground, hindering maintenance activities. Do not plant tree-to-tree feed plots and do not build structures, such as sheds, greenhouses, raised gardens, etc. within the right-of-way corridor.
Habitat Conversion
- Where feasible, CVEC aims to convert ROWs from tree-dominated corridors to those featuring low-growing shrubs on the sides and native grasses and forbs in the center.
CVEC utilizes an herbicide that is safe for animals and promotes habitats suitable for pollinators such as the Monarch Butterfly. The herbicide is spot-sprayed on the green leaves of each sapling in the ROW. This inhibits the tree’s natural enzymes, preventing additional growth and reducing the root system.