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Frequently Asked Questions Use of rights-of-way
Who owns transmission line rights-of-way? Generally, outside urban areas, Hydro-Québec does not own transmission line rights-of-way; they are located on private property or public land. When the right-of-way is on private land, Hydro-Québec holds a servitude, under which the property owner is subject to certain conditions related to the presence of electrical equipment. For example, Hydro-Québec crews are allowed to access the right-of-way to inspect and maintain power lines and control vegetation that threatens system reliability. On public land, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (MRNF) is responsible for land management and Hydro-Québec is allowed to operate transmission lines under agreements with the former.  Is foot or vehicle traffic allowed in transmission line rights-of-way? On private property, hunters-just like all other citizens-cannot access a right-of-way without obtaining prior permission from the landowner. In public forests, foot and vehicle traffic on rights-of-way is allowed just as it would be on all public land in Québec, unless the MRNF, which is the landowner, has put restrictions on its use. In addition, creating ATV or snowmobile trails (constructing, marking and maintaining trails, grading or leveling of the ground, etc.) in power line rights-of-way is prohibited without Hydro-Québec's prior written consent. Can I hunt in a transmission line right-of-way? On private land, you must obtain the landowner's permission before hunting. Landowners retain all their property rights when a transmission line crosses their property. In public forests, the usual hunting regulations remain in effect, including such things as outfitters' exclusive hunting rights, restrictions on access and hunting in wildlife reserves, and hunting and travel regulations in controlled harvesting zones (ZECs). Can I build a ground blind or hunting stand in a transmission line right-of-way? Hunters wishing to build a temporary hunting stand or ground blind in a Hydro-Québec right-of-way face certain restrictions. First, if you are planning to build such a structure on private land, you must obtain permission from the landowner. If the site is on public land, you must notify the MRNF, which can, as in the case of any other construction project, issue you a permit to construct a building in the public forest. Obviously, building a hunting stand in a Hydro-Québec structure (steel transmission tower or wooden H-frame) or near Hydro-Québec equipment is not only prohibited but extremely dangerous. However, depending on the width of the right-of-way, you may be allowed to build a stand or blind along the edge, within a three-metre strip to be measured from where the uncleared forest begins. The height of the stand or blind (or any accompanying antenna) must not exceed four metres. Furthermore, all excavation or digging in the right-of-way is prohibited, since electrical equipment such as cables may be buried. Modifying the existing topography is also prohibited. Before constructing a hunting stand or blind in a right-of-way, you must contact Hydro-Québec for authorization, in order to ensure the safety of hunters using the blind. Do Hydro-Québec crews work in rights-of-way during the hunting season? Throughout the year, Hydro-Québec carries out different types of work in transmission line rights-of-way. Our crews periodically visit rights-of-way on ATVs or snowmobiles to inspect equipment. Inspections can also be performed by slow-flying helicopters at very low altitudes. Minor and major repairs on transmission line components are also carried out as needed. Work in a particular sector can take place over varying lengths of time, often requiring specialized machinery or equipment brought in on wheeled or tracked vehicles or by helicopter. Vegetation control activities are also done periodically in rights-of-way to prevent trees and other vegetation from growing too tall and dense. The purpose is to eliminate trees and favor low-growing plants such as shrubs and herbaceous species that are compatible with the safe operation of the transmission system. This may either involve mechanical methods (chainsaws or manual or motorized brushcutters) or the selective application of herbicides. Hunters using a right-of-way year after year should not be surprised if the vegetation cover present initially is modified by periodic vegetation control efforts. Hydro-Québec tries to minimize vegetation control activities in power line rights-of-way as much as possible during the hunting season for big game (moose, white-tailed deer). However, owing to sudden equipment breakdowns or outages or various other reasons, crews may have to carry out work in rights-of-way at any time of the year. Am I allowed to cut Christmas trees or dig up shrubs or small trees in a transmission line right-of-way, since Hydro-Québec will be removing this vegetation anyway? No, unless you have obtained permission from the property owner. Plants in the right-of-way do not belong to Hydro-Québec but to the owner of the lot in question or, in the case of public land, to the government. Hydro-Québec only has servitude rights, or the right to access and maintain the right-of-way, control vegetation and maintain its system. Can I use the trails in transmission line rights-of-way for my ATV, mountain bike or similar activities or to get to my cottage? On private land, using a transmission right-of-way on foot or in a vehicle is prohibited unless you have prior permission from both the landowner and Hydro-Québec. You must also respect Hydro-Québec's technical standards (distance from structures, trail location, etc.). On public land, travel in power line rights-of-way is generally allowed, as it would be on any other trail or road in the public forest, as long as there are no official restrictions. Therefore, you should take into account the possibility that certain organizations or entities (ZECs, outfitters, parks, wildlife reserves, etc.) may have exclusive hunting and fishing rights or management rights over the area. Am I allowed to use transmission line rights-of-way for such things as stacking wood, removing sand or gravel or the temporary storage of equipment? For safety reasons, using a transmission line right-of-way for these purposes is prohibited unless you have received prior permission from Hydro-Québec. Can I use transmission line rights-of-way to hunt for game such as moose or white-tailed deer or to construct a ground blind or hunting stand? Except in very rare cases, the land under transmission lines does not belong to Hydro-Québec. The property owner owns the land and consequently can limit access, traffic and the construction of hunting stands or blinds. If you wish to hunt or carry out hunting-related activities on private land, you must therefore obtain permission from the landowner and from Hydro-Québec. On public land, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la faune (MRNF) is responsible for land management. In the public forest, the usual hunting regulations are in effect. Certain restrictions apply to hunters wishing to construct temporary blinds, particularly hunting stands, in a right-of-way. For more information, see the relevant section or click on the link "Using transmission line rights-of-way for hunting and related activities." In conclusion Hunters often use Hydro-Québec's transmission line rights-of-way to get to their hunting territories. They also use rights-of-way as a lookout for game since, in heavily forested areas, rights-of-way are often the only clearings large enough for spotting game. In addition, the vegetation present in rights-of-way is often very different from that in adjacent mature forest and some wildlife species use rights-of-way not only as travel corridors but also for foraging. Transmission line rights-of-way can be used for hunting and related activities as long as you respect the guidelines explained above. They aim to ensure the safety of both hunters and Hydro-Québec employees, as well as the rights of those who own land where transmission lines are located. |
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