Power company plans to clear cut trees, bushes to protect lines

Residents say it’s unnecessary and they’ll protect their property

It’s a change in policy that American Transmission Company readily admits to – and will not budge from.

“We have updated our vegetation management in recent years,” said Ann Spalpholz, a media relations person from ATC regarding the company’s policy to take down any trees within 50 feet of power lines that will top eight feet. “We were required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to set a vegetation management program, and abide by that program.”

“In the past, where we might trim … now it’s a bit more extensive,” she added. “Anything that has a growth height of eight feet or more we will clear. Trees near power lines are a hazard to people.”

ATC’s new policy is not sitting well with area residents in the subdivision behind the Burlington Culver’s, as at least two residents on Cooper Hawk Drive can’t believe the company is going to take down a number of trees they say are nowhere near being a problem.

“This is a threat to the wires?” said Don Howell, who has a small tree within the 50-foot radius to the large lines that run through the subdivision.

“The purpose of the easement is to protect the wires and so there won’t be an interruption of service,” he added. “This is an arbitrary 50 feet, and these trees … are, from their maturity and where they’re located, are never going to be a threat to the wires.”

Howell called the Burlington Garden Center, he said, and asked for the maturity of the green ash tree he bought – one of the trees in question. He said he was told the tree would be a maximum 30 feet wide and 50 feet high.

While the tree is definitely going to grow taller, Howell contends

“That still leaves it about 25 feet from the closest wire,” “At maturity.”

Howell also said the City of Burlington has a policy to trim trees that grow too tall. Taking that into account, and because of a proven track record of the trees not being an issue, Howell said he feels like he’s been “taken advantage of.”

“It’s because they can do it,” he said of the tree trimming, rather than the company being able to show a need to trim the trees.

He intends to go as far as he can to protect his trees.

“I plan to fight it,” Howell said. “If they come on, I’m going to tell them I want them off.

“This is my property. They want to destroy something on the property, and I don’t want them to,” he added.

Howell’s neighbor, Mike Caringello, has a similar issue, but for different reasons. In his case, he has a number of mature trees that seem to have reached their maximum height.

“When they first came out, they didn’t say anything before they did their measurements,” said Caringello. “The edge of their property is very sloped.

“They’re looking at very mature trees,” he added. “They shouldn’t grow any more.”

Caringello said he understands the need to insure power to the area. However …

“Certainly, having consistent power is very important me,” Caringello said. “If I felt they were looking at trees that were actually dangerous to the power line, then I would certainly grant them permission to come on my property.”

However, since there is such a slope and the power lines are fairly high, he thinks a little more of a “common sense” approach should be taken.

He’s also concerned about erosion when all the shrubbery is removed from the slope.

“To me, there’s just a disconnect,” Caringello said. “There are multiple options they can do.”

Meanwhile Spalpholz said Tuesday that the contractor who will take down the trees has already been in to identify trees for clearing.

“We’re ready to get underway within the next several days,” she said. She also added that the city’s Department of Public Works has seemed to be cooperative.

“The city has been very cooperative with us and has no issue with our practice,” she said. “We make very few exceptions. We have a standard that we follow.

“We have to put safety first,” Slappholz added. “It’s a new standard across the country.”