USDA Forest Service proposes new wildfire prevention directives for power lines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has proposed two directives addressing the safety and reliability of powerline operations therein to better protect national forests and grasslands

“Our nation’s forests and grasslands provide an important link in delivering electricity to 70 million American homes and businesses,” Chris French, Forest Service Deputy Chief, said. “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.”

The measures include Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline Facilities and Vegetation Management Pilot Projects. The former would add a new chapter to the Forest Service handbook, providing guidance on vegetation management, routine maintenance, and powerline inspections within and around authorized rights-of-way in appropriate regions. It would be developed cooperatively by Forest Service Staff and electric utilities.

However, the latter plan would provide direction to agency staff specifically on the issuance of special use authorizations for natural gas or electric utilities pursuing vegetation management pilot projects. This would include vegetation management outside the utilities’ rights-of-way, not hazardous trees associated with powerlines.

The Forest Service seeks public input on both proposals by the end of Jan. 11, 2021. The agency hopes both will aid operations by providing more consistent direction for its staff.