Hydro-Québec must maintain system reliability and ensure public and worker safety.

To control vegetation that may interfere with the safe operation of our facilities and to maintain our properties, we use manual or mechanical methods and selective application of herbicides (chemicals that combat undesirable vegetation). Hydro-Québec uses herbicides only where they pose little risk to the environment.

In our transmission line rights-of-way (ROWs), at switchyards, and on dikes and dams, we apply the concept of integrated vegetation management, which advocates using the right method, in the right place and at the right time. On the distribution system, all maintenance is performed using mechanical methods only. For landscape maintenance around administrative buildings, pesticides are no longer used preventively, but only as a corrective measure in case of absolute necessity.

When herbicides are required, we produce an inventory of sensitive elements in the area, so that protective measures can be taken to minimize potential impacts.

Along Transmission Lines We must control vegetation on more than 135,000 hectares of transmission line ROWs—the equivalent of 163,000 soccer fields or 2,700 times the Island of Montréal. Click here for more information on our vegetation management practices along transmission lines. Specific measures (internal guidelines, contractual clauses, monitoring of work) are implemented to ensure compliance with the recommendations of the Pesticides Management Code during vegetation control operations in transmission line ROWs, at switchyards, on dikes and dams, and on telecommunications sites. We are studying the performance of various vegetation control strategies: biological herbicides, application techniques that can reduce the quantities of herbicide applied, etc. We are testing new treatment methods for areas such as transmission substations. Potential solutions include resurfacing with dolomitic lime or using a geotextile covering. On Dikes and Dams Vegetation control is required on the 550 dikes and dams we operate. A five-year plan specifies the locations, area to be treated and type of treatment to be used for each structure. Environmental assessments are also conducted prior to treatment.

	Periodic vegetation control must be carried out on the overhead distribution system, which totals nearly 100,000 km. No herbicides are used in this operation.
	We are implementing initiatives to improve the environmental performance of our vegetation control operations, including a program to reclaim wood chips and an analysis of the impacts of emergency system repairs on vegetation.
	We have carried out a number of studies on vegetation and the distribution system, covering such subjects as how to shape trees that grow underneath distribution lines and biological control of vegetation that is incompatible with distribution system operations.
	We have produced various publications on property management near power lines. They include the Guide to Ornamental Trees and Shrubs and The Right Tree in the Right Place, which anyone can obtain by calling 1 800 ENERGIE or visiting Hydro-Québec's online store.
	Hydro-Québec and the city of Montréal have signed an agreement that is a model of cooperation for urban vegetation control. The agreement covers technical aspects of pruning operations and applicable tree-felling standards. Joint training will be provided to both parties' employees and subcontractors.

Around Administrative Buildings

Conventional pesticides have not been used for landscape maintenance around our administrative buildings since 2003, except in case of an epidemic or infestation. In such situations, only organic pesticides or those with low environmental impact are used.