Emergency power line clearing project proposed

By Stephen Clearheart Johnson
North Forty News

Declaring an "imminent threat," the U.S. Forest service has proposed an Emergency Powerline Clearing Project for Colorado's Arapahoe-Roosevelt, White and Medicine Bow-Routt national forests.

A total of 823 miles of distribution and transmission lines run through these forests, and 400 of those miles run through lodgepole pine that has been or soon will be killed by the mountain pine beetle. Another 119 miles of line run through roadless areas. Some 15 major utility companies are responsible for these lines.

"There is an imminent threat to powerlines from an increasing number of dead trees falling in the three forests," said Cal Wett-stein, commander of the Forest Service's Bark Beetle Incident Management Team.

Hazardous or dead trees near power lines can cause interruption in power service and increase the possibility of fire if a tree falls into the lines. The risk is highest when dead and dry trees are close to high-tension transmission lines. These high voltage lines produce heat and need copious air flow to cool them.

Yet, this declaration does not mean that Forest Service crews will suddenly begin large-scale projects to cut or remove the trees. The Forest Service will do little or no cutting, according to Mary Ann Chambers, public affairs officer for the Rocky Mountain Region.

The proposal accomplishes three things. First, the Forest Service has completed the environmental analysis, thus smoothing the way for utility companies to act quickly when necessary.

Second, the Forest Service proposal would increase the width of land to be worked beyond the usual easement restrictions. Transmission lines are to be cleared to a distance of 200 feet either side of the centerline, while distribution lines would be cleared to a distance of 75 feet from centerline.

Third, the Forest Service has detailed extensive options for the treatment of logs and slash resulting from operations. The service hopes to promote clearing of salvageable trees (greater than 7-inch diameter at breast height) by hosting timber sales where possible. In other areas, a variety of techniques will be allowed. Where removal is not practical, such trees may be felled and left in place.

Trees that cannot be salvaged may be chipped, roller-chopped, lopped and scattered to a depth up to 24 inches, or could be piled and burned to reduce fuels loading. The burn area might be outside of the powerline right of way. Burn piles might be left for future burning.

Similarly, slash may be piled for burning or chipped to a depth not to exceed 3 inches. Salvageable logs may be stacked for future timber sales.

Roadless areas may be logged using helicopters, or temporary roads may be allowed in some cases. Chambers explained that the Forest Service is willing to work out "place-based solutions," particularly in rugged terrain.

Utility companies are responsible for maintenance of their lines, and may be fined if service is interrupted.

"We are concerned. It is a pressing need," said Randy Wilkerson, a spokesperson for the federal Western Area Power Administration.

He said, however, WAPA will not be hiring extra crews, but will conduct its clearing activities in "more of a routine nature." WAPA operates 300 miles of transmission lines on Forest Service land in Colorado.

The visible impact of such clearing may be impressive in areas where these transmission lines cross the Continental Divide, especially in the Interstate 70 corridor and the Vail or Aspen areas.

For Larimer County, the impact may be small. The Estes Park area contains some transmission lines, as does the Poudre River corridor and branches going to the Red Feather area. One major transmission line crosses north of the Rawah Wilderness area in the Laramie River valley, much of it through open country.

The emergency proposals do not affect power lines located on private property.

The Forest Service will take public comments on this proposal through Oct. 10. Comments may be sent to the attention of Mary Ann Chambers, 2150 Centre Ave., Building E, Fort Collins CO 80526 or e-mail machambers@fs.fed.us.