INTEGRATED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

Planters EMC’s Integrated Vegetation Management Program helps balance the need for safe, reliable service by keeping our right-of-ways clear of trees and overgrown vegetation with respect for the natural environment.

Tree clearing, pruning, mowing, and herbicide application are necessary steps we take to ensure greater safety for our workers and the public and to provide more reliable service for our members. We can do this by keeping the power lines free from obstruction. 

GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

  • Provide reliable electricity to members
  • Protect the electric distribution system and reduce power outages
  • Minimize negative impacts on the environment
  • Work safely and efficiently

 

Integrated vegetation management projects are scheduled for the following locations in 2025: southern Burke County, northern and eastern Jenkins County and western Screven County. The pink-shaded area shows Zone 1 which will be treated in 2025.

methods 

Clearing involves the mechanical and manual cutting, trimming and mowing of vegetation. Herbicide application is used to control the growth of unwanted plants such as woody brush and vines that could cause power outages. We treat with grass-friendly herbicides using a low-volume backpack application or spot treatment.  This form of application is beneficial for the following reasons:

  • Leaves many great plants for our wonderful pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds and other insects. It provides more coverage for turkey, quail, deer and other wildlife as well as a better food source. It is much less invasive to fawns and ground-nesting birds than mowing.
  • Improves the condition of the right-of-way in order to restore power in a timely manner and reduces costs to our members

All of the herbicides are either pasture-approved, aquatic-approved, or both. All are EPA approved and used according to the label. We discontinued the use of any type of Roundup/glyphosate products years ago. Not necessarily due to safety, but because they kill grasses that are crucial to stopping woody species from growing into the easements. All herbicides used by Planters EMC are approved for right-of-way use and are safe for humans and animals, including fish.

contractors 

For integrated vegetation management projects, PEMC contracts with the following companies: Helena, Osmose Utilities Services, and Akins & Sons.

Please note you may see contractors on or around your property. Only PEMC employees and above contractors are authorized to work on your property. Any other person or company representative is not an authorized representative of the Cooperative. Please contact your local authorities if you suspect suspicious behavior.

We thank you for your cooperation while we continue to maintain our electric system and improve reliability.