Hiawatha National Forest, American Transmission Co. develop operating partnership

A first-of-its-kind operating plan between Hiawatha National Forest and American Transmission Co. will prevent protect public lands and improve the safety and reliability of the transmission system while saving money, the two entities said.

Following a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s implementation of a new rule that prevents power lines from sparking wildfires, the two organizations came together to design, develop and implement a new operating plan. ATC operates an estimated 95 miles of electric transmission line corridor within Hiawatha’s 895,000 acres. The new operating plan will enable the two entities to uphold environmental responsibilities more efficiently and effectively while reducing wildfire risk.

“The Forest Service has a responsibility to protect and care for Hiawatha National Forest. We also understand how critical electricity is for people in the Upper Peninsula,” said Emily Platt, Acting Hiawatha Forest Supervisor. “That’s why creating an efficient, effective operating plan was so important. We appreciate that ATC cared as much about helping to protect the forest as they do about maintaining a safe and reliable electric grid.”

The operating plan stemmed from a suggestion by ATC that they trim vegetation away from power lines using helicopters. Dense vegetation, rough terrain, protected species restrictions, and lack of accessibility presented challenges keeping vegetation from power lines – something that could cause wildfires.

That discussion led to other discussions on how to approach challenges differently.

The new operating plan uses geographic information system (GIS)-based communication processes to transmit information between the two agencies, identify sensitive areas within the utility corridor, and establish operations and maintenance design criteria. The new plan will also require annual reporting and establishes clear expectations and coordination procedures for the next 30 years. Taken together, the new operating plan protects natural resources while simplifying interactions and eliminating unnecessary maintenance delays.

“We hope to use this streamlined operating framework as a model for other utility permits we manage here on the Hiawatha,” said Platt.