Resource Library
May and early summer is the best time of year to recognize ericaceous and other shrub species – like blueberries, laurels, and arrowood – when they are in bloom. A preponderance of flowering native shrubs warrants a concerted effort to secure an alternate management regime for those areas – not frequent close mowing. We recommend marking the limits of the shrub patches, to make them easier to avoid. If photos of a blooming shrub, including a close-up of a flower and a few leaves, are posted on the CT Botanical Society Facebook page, we may well be able to help with identification.
4/12/19 – CLCC and Eversource Energy hosted a forum with Dr. Robert Askins who presented specific guidelines for managing habitat for early successional birds (as well as New England Cottontails) on powerline corridors and in other open areas on land trust preserves. Following Dr. Askins’ presentation, representatives from the Eversource Vegetation Management team presented on current management objectives, protocol and maintenance schedules as it relates to transmission corridors.
Reports on Vegetation Management on Powerline Corridors
If an Eversource powerline runs through one of your preserves, this right-of-way (ROW) probably provides important habitat for rare and declining species of plants and animals that require open habitats. When Eversource alerts you that they will be conducting work on the ROW on your property, you have the opportunity to meet with an Eversource representative to discuss how this can be accomplished while minimizing impacts to important habitats.
View two reports, authored by Robert Askins, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Connecticut College and the Connecticut Botanical Society, which describe proven methods for maintaining transmission lines while preserving a biologically rich plant community dominated by native shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. Click on the links below to access the reports:
- Assessment of Changes in Vegetation Management on Powerline Corridors in Connecticut »
- Connecticut Botanical Society Position Paper on Right-of-Way Position Paper Management »
In early April 2019, Eversource hosted a forum on their vegetation management practices for several environmental stakeholder groups concerned with varying taxa (birds, plants, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) at their campus in Berlin, CT. CLCC hosted a second forum on August 12, 2019.
Eversource Contacts
If you are seeking information or wish to discuss vegetation management on an Eversource powerline corridor, please refer to the following list of contacts:
Gillian Carroll
Land Management Administrator
Real Estate & Property Management
gillian.carroll@eversource.com
860-665-6175
Marcia Wellman
Eversource Siting & Construction Services
Property owner notifications & managing property owner concerns or issues
marcia.wellman@eversource.com
860.728.4457
Michelle Ford
Environmental Licensing & Permitting Specialist
Implementation of Best Management Practices with respect to threatened & endangered species
michelle.ford@eversource.com
860.665.3183
Additional Information from Eversource
- PowerPoint Presentation, August 12, 2019: Eversource Transmission Vegetation Management »
- Write-ups of Typical Transmission Project Activities »
- Eversource’s Commitment to Environmental Sustainability »
For additional information, please contact CLCC Executive Director Amy Blaymore Paterson at abpaterson@ctconservation.org
Additional Information offered by others
From Kimberly Stoner, Entomologist, CT Agricultural Experiment Station
- Advocating for Your Right of Way—Basics »
- Sample Eversource Letter »
- Citizens Guide to Siting Council Procedures for Electric Transmission Line Facilities »
- CT Siting Council—Petition 1293 »
- Links to Useful Websites and Documents Relating to the Connecticut Siting Council and Rights of Way »
From the Connecticut Botanical Society
- ROW Vegetation Management Recommendations provided to Eversource » This document consists of an introduction that explains why the guidelines are needed, and how they were developed, followed by a set of recommendations.
- BMP guidelines from the Invasive Plant Council that provide detailed information on preventing the spread of invasive plants through topsoil and mulch » The CBS recommendations refer to this detailed document, which is considered key to the maintaining ecological integrity of ROW communities.
- The cover letter that went to Eversource with the above recommendations. »
- Connecticut Botanical Society Position Paper on Right-of-Way Position Paper Management »
- Connecticut State Listed Plants Known in Power Line ROWs »
- Connecticut Botanical Society 2019 (all) Listed Species in ROWs »
- Thirteen Most Imperiled Connecticut Communities »
- Useful Links re Rare Plant and Community Inventory »
- Botanical Consultants for de novo Surveys in Connecticut »
From Dr. Robert Askins, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Connecticut College
- Assessment of Changes in Vegetation Management on Powerline Corridors in Connecticut. »
- Guidelines for Managing ROWs for Birds and New England Cottontails »
From Lisa Wahle, CT DEEP
- Notice to Landowners regarding Eversource work in New England cottontail Focus Areas »
- New England Cottontail 2020 Focus Areas »
From Gary Therrien, landowner
From Catherine Rawson, Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy
