Rights-of-Way

GRASSLAND

 Use only species native to the ecoregion in which the ROW is located when restoring grassland habitats.
 Control invasive and non-native species where possible.
 Maintain early successional vegetation.
 

Pepco Rights-of-Way grassland ecosytem in Sonshine, Maryland.

 Avoid fragmenting grasslands with the addition of roads, buildings, tree corridors, or row crops.
 Where grasslands are bordered by forested tracts, develop a feathered edge between the forest and the grassland. This will provide cover for animals and reduce nest predation.
 If mowing is necessary to maintain the grassland stage, it should only be done during September to March. Use a cutting height of at least 10 inches.
 Woody cover should be kept to a maximum of 5% in grassland habitat. When covering a proportion greater than 5%, tall trees should be removed. Avoid hedgerows networks as much as possible.
 Establish a cover of warm-season grass as the dominant grass type. Such grasses will grow during the summer, rather than in the cooler spring and fall months, forming clumps surrounded by more open spaces that provide habitat heterogeneity.
 Use a mixture of warm-season grasses. Avoid monotypic stands. Native forbs (wildflowers) can also be added to increase vegetative diversity.

SHRUBLAND

 Selectively use herbicides to control tall-growing species in order to maintain a shrub community of 12 feet or less in height. Selective basal application or low-volume basal application is indicated in this situation.
 After herbicide application, pruning must be done. Desirable species must be topped if grown more than 10 to 12 feet in height. The whole plant should be cut down if more than one-third of it is to be removed.
 

Shrubs under Pepco Rights-of-Way in Sonshine, Maryland.

Along the ROW edges, tall trees need only to be topped enough so they do not represent a danger of hitting the power lines. Trunks should be girdled to kill the trees.
 

When corridors are first cleared, avoid a clearing and grubbing operation in which all vegetation is cut down and soil and roots are disturbed. Leave shrubs and preferred low-growing trees.
 Trees cut down during clearing or maintenance activities should be placed along the corridor edge to form brush piles. Canopy branches are ideal for this operation. Log piles are also of wildlife value.
 If chipping occurs, it can be left on site but at a rate no thicker than 2 to 3 inches in any area.
 

WETLAND

 Consult with agencies before altering any wetland area.
 Control stands of invasive species. Phragmites often establishes in large monotypic stands while supplanting native species.
 Herbicides should be used sparingly and with care. Always use the proper medium for application, which differs from the medium used in drier ecosystems.
 

Pepco Rights-of-Way wetland ecosystem with emergent vegetation in Sonshine, Maryland.

Diversify vegetative cover to obtain vegetation of different heights and types. Provide a variety of wetland habitats in a “complex,” representing different succession stages and wetland sizes.
 Create or maintain a wetland with some open areas. An intermediate cover (33% to 66%) is appropriate when looking to support a diverse wildlife community.
 Avoid clearing or mowing areas adjacent to wetlands. A 100-foot wide buffer is recommended. Wider buffers may be needed on steeper slopes.
 Marginal vegetation should be comprised of a variety of dense vegetation including emergent vegetation, sedges, grasses, forbs, low shrubs, and even small trees. Shrubby borders are excellent for nesting and predator protection. The perimeter of the wetland should show a gradient of vegetation, forming a transition with the adjacent ecosystem.
 Beaver control practices should not be undertaken. Beaver sites typically show a higher richness in wildlife than similar areas lacking beavers.
 Submerged vegetation can be promoted by avoiding the reflooding of drawdown areas during plant growth periods, to prevent clouding the water with silt. Any activity that would result in limiting the light reaching the plants during their growth season should be kept at a minimum.