Forest Service Will Allow Utilities To Clear Hazard Trees

Release Date: Dec 2, 2010

Contact(s): Steve Segin, 303.275.5346, ssegin @fs.fed.us.

FOREST SERVICE WILL ALLOW UTILITIES TO CLEAR HAZARD TREERS

GOLDEN, CO., (Dec. 2, 2010) – The U.S. Forest Service announced a decision this week  to allow cutting and removing of bark beetle killed trees along distribution and transmission power lines outside of utility companies’ permitted rights-of-ways on the White River, Arapaho-Roosevelt and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.  The decision authorizes trees to be removed up to 200 feet on either side of the center line for transmission lines and 75 feet for distribution lines.  This temporary authorization will reduce the risk of dead trees falling on power lines, potentially causing power outages and wildland fire.  Utility companies permitted rights-of-way averaged 10 feet from center line for distribution lines and 25 feet from center line for transmission lines.  

“There is a compelling need to allow the utility companies the ability to reduce potential hazards to public safety and power line infrastructure,”  said Glenn Casamassa, Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest.

Forest Supervisors from the three forests signed the decision which affects 823 miles of power lines in Colorado and Wyoming. 

For more information on Bark Beetles see: www.fs.usda.gov/r2/barkbeetle