Eversource Aims To Clear Trees, Other Vegetation In Madison

MADISON, CT — There are about 2.98 miles of row vegetation management work in Madison, according to Eversource.

Eversource is hosting a community meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 16, regarding its vegetation management in Madison at 6 p.m. in the Hammonasset Room, 8 Campus Drive. A virtual component is available for the meeting.

According to background information, crossings and abutments in Madison are located at Eastwood Road, Opening Hill Road, Warpas Road, Little Hollow Road, Monroe Lane, Pierce Lane, Forest Road, Horsepond Road, Durham Road (Route 77), White Birch Road, Hammonassett Meadow Road, Strawberry Hill Road, Grouse Lane, Beekman Place, St. James Court and Windsor Court.

According to background information, through the Transmission Right of Way Reliability Program, Eversource aims to clear trees and other vegetation that may interfere with the transmission facilities' operation, including substations, structures and wires.

The process turns the transmission corridor into a substantial, diverse habitat of a low-growing plant community dominated by grasses, flowers, ferns and small shrubs.

Eversource clearance standards are based on the width of the right of way, the type of transmission lines, the location of the lines within the right of way and the topography. Eversource employs a “one-zone” vegetation maintenance method.

One-zone maintenance occurs within a right-of-way wire zone, directly under the transmission lines, extending on the easement's edge or the maintained area's width. Within this zone, trees and brush are selectively removed to allow for the establishment and perseveration of native, low-growing plant communities in non-lawn areas.

Only established compatible species with a mature height of 15 feet or less at maturity may be allowed to remain in the wire zone, depending on location. All other plants with a mature height greater than 15 feet will be removed.

Background information states the additional right of way to be cleared is the area from the existing maintained edge to the edge of the easement or up to 100 feet from the outside wire, as part of the Transmission Right of Way Reliability Project.