Powerline Administration and Management

“Today’s wildfire challenges transcend boundaries and industries, affecting people beyond the jurisdiction of any single agency or organization. Tackling these challenges requires the Forest Service to work with diverse partners, leveraging our collective resources to accomplish more than we could alone.” – Chief Randy Moore

Vegetation Management Reports

The U.S. Forest Service is committed to working with powerline owners and operators to safely and reliably deliver electricity across National Forest System lands to rural and urban communities throughout the country.  This annual reporting of Agency responses to powerline owner and operator requests for routine vegetation management work provides transparency to Agency work, and fulfills a requirement of section 512 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

2024 Routine Vegetation Management Report (.pdf - 560 KB)

Operating Plans and Agreements

Powerline facilities located on National Forest System lands are required to have an approved permit with an operating plan or agreement that is compliant with section 512 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Below are sample permits and operating plans.

FS-2700-4k (.docx - 85KB): Example powerline facility permit for federal entities

FS-2700-4j (.pdf - 886KB): Example powerline facility permit for non-federal entities

FS-2700-31 (.pdf - 882KB): Example powerline facility easement

Sample Operating Plan (.pdf - 389KB)

More information can be found in Forest Service Handbook 2709.11 Chapter 80: Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline Facilities (.pdf - 103KB).