Rights-of-Way

Vegetation management primarily addresses the need to control plant species on the ROW; however, the disturbance originating from ROW creation and continued maintenance impacts more than just plants. It also modifies both the landscape dynamic and the wildlife living in it. 

The good news is that linear projects such as utility ROWs can also have beneficial effects on wildlife habitats. When the proper mitigation measures are taken, ROW corridors can be sites of increased habitat diversity, be used by wildlife as travel lanes between isolated patches of suitable habitats, can increase the amount of early successional habitat available to species, and much more. 

A tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucas) feeds on butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) along the Pepco Rights-of-way. Photo by Stephen Genua.

Effective management is simply a matter of bringing together the
needs of power generation and transmission reliability with those of wildlife.

The following are best management practices that apply to any ecosystem and that should appear in all vegetation management plans on ROWs. Following, you will find best management practices specific to three ecosystems and several species. 

HABITAT MANAGEMENT SURVEYS
Habitat management surveys should be conducted, not only to be aware of the general condition and components of the land, but also to identify any animal or plant species that need particular attention. Habitat management guidelines are usually readily available for vulnerable, endangered, or rare species that would require priority management in the vegetation management plan. 

CONTROL OF INVASIVE SPECIES
Regardless of the integrated vegetation management (IVM) plan adopted by a utility company for a ROW, control of invasive species should always be part of management strategies. Invasive plant species are one of the greatest threats to the world’s biodiversity, and the issue of controlling them has become a priority for the scientific community. To find out about species that are designated as invasive, consult the USDA NRCS Plant Database. 

A bee pollinates black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) along the Pepco Rights-of-way. Photo by Stephen Genua.

USE OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES
One important aspect to remember when choosing vegetative species is to valorize the use of native species. Native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance landscape while benefiting the environment.

Native plants, once established, save time and money by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water and maintenance. Native plants can also significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding. 

Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife. Closely mowed lawns are of little use to most wildlife. Native plants attract a variety of birds, butterflies, as well as other beneficial insects, and other wildlife by providing diverse habitats and food sources. Select plants that butterflies use as food for their caterpillars and for nectaring adults.  Native plants provide food at different times of the year to birds in the form of seeds, fruit or as invertebrate host sites. The growth habits of native plants present recognizable, safe nesting sites and cover that protect birds from inclement weather and predation.

Planting native species also maintains the natural diversity of flora and fauna promoting environmental stewardship.

Although not comprehensive, the following native plant list provides an array of plant species compatible with ROWs. The list can be improved by additional plants species that share similar characteristics with the suggested ones. It is provided as an ecosystem-specific list and as a species-specific list. 

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