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Transmission System Projects

Right of Way Management - Etobicoke Creek to Winston Churchill Boulevard, Mississauga

At Hydro One, system reliability is incredibly important, so each year we spend millions of dollars upgrading, expanding and maintaining the over 150,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution lines throughout Ontario. This includes a vegetation management program designed to improve the condition of our rights-of-way. Keeping trees and vegetation from growing into our distribution and transmission lines requires crews to cut and clear away trees and brush in regular cycles.

Project Description

Hydro One will be conducting a tree and brush maintenance project and landscaping along the transmission right-of-way from the Etobicoke Creek to Winston Churchill Boulevard. Residents living in the Applewood Acres neighbourhood may recall that Hydro One worked with the community, Mississauga Councillor Corbasson and former MPP Margaret Marland to develop a staged tree removal and landscaping plan for the area between Dixie Road and Cawthra Road.

This project is a continuation of that proposed plan, and we will be applying similar principles and replanting at a number of locations. This project is scheduled to begin August 20, 2007 and should be completed by the middle of October depending on weather and the complexity of line clearing work. The work will be staged along the right-of-way and Forestry crews are expected to only be in each section for about a week. Typical hours of operation for our Forestry crews are Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (some work may take place beyond the typical days and hours). Residents may see line clearing equipment including bucket trucks, brush chippers and small dump and pick up trucks. Safety measures and traffic controls will be employed to ensure the public are not exposed to hazards.

The long-term objective for transmission rights-of-way is to minimize line clearing work and Hydro One's standard practice is to selectively remove incompatible trees to eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance and ensure safe, reliable operating conditions. While we appreciate that cutting trees can be a very sensitive issue, this is a necessary and important task. Hydro One is responsible for ensuring that our transmission lines remain clear of any trees or other vegetation growth that can pose a risk to the safe and reliable delivery of power to all Ontario residents.

The images below depict some areas of concern along the right-of-way.

(Click on image to view full size)

Tree and Brush Removal

The project involves removal of trees and incompatible brush along the 14 km right-of-way (incompatible trees are considered as those with a diameter greater than 4 inches which if left unattended could interfere with the safe, reliable operation of the line). Trees to be removed will be marked by an orange "H" early in August.

In a limited number of cases, trees growing on private property and encroaching on the transmission line must also be removed. In these circumstances, Hydro One Forestry staff contact those residents to discuss options for removal, replanting and or maintenance. In addition, Hydro One will arrange for stump removal where necessary.

Hydro One uses an integrated approach to vegetation management and along with removals, all incompatible brush on the right-of-way will be treated with a low volume herbicide application designed to control re-growth. The stumps of cut trees and brush on the right-of-way will be treated with Garlon 4 (Registration #21053) or Glyphosate (EZject Capsules - Registration #21262) which are Federally and Provincially approved herbicides for use in Ontario. Hydro One staff are trained in the application of herbicides and are liscensed by the Ministry of the Environment.

Landscape Plan

Hydro One encourages the growth of compatible vegetation on transmission corridors which includes low growing trees and shrubs that will not encroach on the transmission lines. As part of this project, Hydro One will be replanting compatible trees in specific areas along the right-of-way, including road crossings and near the schools that directly back onto the right-of-way.
We understand that trees are very important in an urban landscape and we anticipate our landscape plans will meet community expectations. We will make every effort to minimize disruption to your community as we complete this very important task.

Example of tree replacement at a right-of-way crossing, and areas of replacement along the right-of-way.

Hydro One right-of-way Management Policy

Hydro One is committed to maintaining and developing a compatible vegetation cover minimizing the amount of tree trimming, by selective or staged removal of larger trees, planting of compatible species, controlling the regeneration of incompatible tree species and encouraging natural regeneration of compatible species. At Hydro One, it is not general practice to trim trees under transmission lines. Read more on how trimming can damage trees.

For more information, please contact:

Marylena Stea
Corporate Communications
Hydro One Networks Inc.
483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2P5

Tel: 416-345-6799
Fax: 416-345-6984
E-mail: Community.Relations@HydroOne.com