Right-of-Way – White River Valley Electric Cooperative

Our Integrated Vegetation Management Program helps balance the need for safe, reliable service by keeping our right-of-ways clear of trees and overgrown vegetation with respect for the natural environment.

Integrated Vegetation Management Program

Tree clearing, pruning, mowing, and herbicide application are necessary steps we take to ensure greater safety for our workers and the public, and to provide more reliable service for our members. We can do this by keeping the power lines free from obstruction. Per Missouri Statute 537.340, any vegetation within 15 feet of the center power line will be removed.

Goals of the program

Provide electric power to members safely
Protect the electric system and reduce power outages
Minimize negative impacts on the environment
Comply with federal, state, and local regulations
Work safely and efficiently
Foster positive working relationships with our communities

WRVEC’s Right-of-Way Supervisor is available throughout the process, to respond to any questions or concerns you might have.

Tips for planting:

A. If landscaping is needed near right-of-way areas or in the wire zone, choose low growth shrubs under 5′ height.

B. Smaller trees should be 20′ away from power lines.

C. Medium trees need to be planted at least 35′ away from lines.

D. Large trees need to be planted at least 45′ away from overhead lines.

E. Trees planted too close to the lines will always be misshapen by unavoidable pruning of limbs to prevent interference with power lines.

2020 Integrated Vegetation Management Projects

The following integrated vegetation management projects are currently scheduled for 2020. Please use caution if near these areas. Clearing involves the mechanical and manual cutting, trimming and mowing of vegetation. Herbicide application is used to control the growth of unwanted plants. We thank you for your cooperation while we continue to maintain our electric system.

location

Sparta Substation – Clearing

Ava- Clearing

Table Rock – Clearing

Stonebridge – Clearing

Sparta – Application

Rockaway – Application

Taneyville – Application

Wasola – Application

Protem – Application

Bear Creek – Application

Riverdale – Application

contractor

Southern Construction

Arkansas Electric Cooperative

Southern Construction

Progressive Solutions

progress

Completed

Currently in progress

Late Summer

Summer/Fall

State Statute

Missouri legislators passed revised statute 537.340 on August 28, 2009. This statute allows electric suppliers the authority to maintain power line right-of-way by trimming, removing and controlling trees and other vegetation within 15 feet of either side of the centerline of electric lines. All potentially energized at or below 34.5 kilovolts, will be removed per the statute. While the bill authorizes a 60 foot removal area, WRVEC chooses to restrain cutting whenever possible to 30 feet. The bill, Senate Bill No. 958, Section 537.340, can be read in its entirety here.