The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) said it is looking for public input on the removal in 2023 of vegetation within the transmission system rights of way that could put the transmission system operation at risk.
The plan includes removal of about 400 acres of “incompatible vegetation,” specifically trees and woody vegetation, on the right-of-way margins that pose a risk to the transmission system. Comments are due by February 25.
The vegetation management work would be done during TVA’s fiscal year 2023, beginning Oct. 1, 2022.
The 146-page draft plan, which can be viewed and downloaded here, follows the 2019 Transmission System Vegetation Management environmental impact statement, which evaluated and analyzed TVA’s vegetation management program across its entire transmission system.
A Record of Decision issued in October 2019 showed TVA’s preferred vegetation management program would be to manage the full extent of the right of way (ROW) to a meadow-like end-state. Achieving this would entail the initial removal of incompatible vegetation over an 8-year period, followed by managing the ROW as a mix of herbaceous and low-growing shrub.
Tree maintenance would be assessed using aerial and ground inspections, and as-needed field inspections. Trees and woody vegetation along the margins of the ROW identified as a risk to transmission system reliability would be removed while compatible trees and shrubs would be allowed in areas actively maintained by others.
The report suggests either TVA do nothing (Alternative A) or that TVA remove incompatible vegetation (Alternative B). TVA recommended Alternative B.
TVA said it uses an Integrated Vegetation Management approach to establish a meadow-like environment under power lines to improve biodiversity while ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.
All comments received will become public record, including names and addresses, and will be considered in the development of the final Environmental Assessment.
