The USDA Forest Service seeks public input on two proposed directives that would address safety and reliability for powerline operations on national forests and grasslands.

The proposed directives:

Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline Facilities - This proposed directive would add Chapter 80 to Forest Service Handbook 2709.11 to provide guidance on vegetation management, routine maintenance, and inspection of powerlines within and adjacent to their authorized rights-of-way on national forests and grasslands. These activities include removing trees that pose a hazard inside and outside powerline rights-of-way. The proposed directive would provide guidance to Forest Service staff when working with electric utilities to develop comprehensive operating plans or agreements that cover system reliability and fire mitigation activities while minimizing impacts on natural resources. The proposed directive would implement section 512 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Forest Service’s recently issued regulations implementing section 512.

Vegetation Management Pilot Projects - The proposed directive would add Chapter 2740 to the Forest Service Manual to provide direction to agency staff on issuing special use authorizations for natural gas or electric utilities to conduct vegetation management pilot projects. The pilot projects would involve vegetation management outside the utilities’ rights-of-way, but not the removal of hazard trees associated with powerlines. The proposed directive would implement section 8630 of the 2018 Farm Bill. More information on the proposed directive and how to submit comments may be found here.

The 30-day public comment period for the proposed directives ends on Jan. 11, 2021. To leave a comment or to view comments left to date: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2717

Why make changes?

The proposed changes would provide consistent direction for Forest Service staff when coordinating with utilities in managing vegetation, including removing dead and dying trees that pose a fire risk to powerline structures.

“Our nation’s forests and grasslands provide an important link in delivering electricity to 70 million American homes and businesses,” said Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French. “The proposed directives would not only help us improve the reliability of America’s electrical grid, but also would help reduce wildfire risk in powerline corridors and the cost of delivering electricity to millions of homes.”

To view the Federal Register Notice, go to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/10/2020-27103/forest-service-manual-2740-forest-service-handbook-270911-chapter-50-special-uses-management

What others are saying:

Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French said the proposed directives would help reduce wildfire risk in powerline corridors and the cost of delivering electricity to millions of homes. – Energy Central

The American Public Power Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association filed joint comments that supported much of the direction provided in the proposed rule. – American Public Power Association

The new rule provides that emergency vegetation management does not require prior written approval from the Forest Service. There are 18,000 miles of powerline corridors that cross the nation's forests and grasslands. – S&P Global

Source: U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.