Vegetation Control

Methods and Operations

Methods: How It's Done

At Hydro-Québec, we use different methods for managing vegetation. Our choices are based on environmental and economic factors as well as imperatives of efficiency and safety. One thing is certain: we always take into account the biophysical surroundings and the use that is made of the right-of-way. In short, we use the appropriate method for controlling vegetation, in the right place and at the right time. This is called "integrated vegetation management".

We use three methods for clearing rights-of-way, either alone or in combination:

1. Selective cutting (using chainsaws, brushcutters and mowers);
2. Selective application of herbicides (pesticides that kill certain plants or inhibit their growth, while allowing other plants to develop);
3. Land-use development (bicycle paths, crop cultivation, gardens, etc.).

In most cases, Hydro-Québec does not own the land crossed by our transmission lines. The company simply has a servitude or easement, which allows it to access and maintain the right-of-way.

Operations

The employees responsible for vegetation control on our property or along our power lines include professionals (forest engineers, forestry technicians, biologists, etc.) and specially trained forestry workers-skilled people with knowledge of the environment. Hydro-Québec monitors the work to ensure compliance, and afterwards performs a follow-up to assess whether the operation has been successful.

How often does work have to be done?
Vegetation control under transmission lines is done about every five years, depending on the climate zone and the method used. The farther north a line is located, the less frequent the clearing operations, since vegetation at higher latitudes tends to grow at a slower rate.

For Hydro-Québec, the vegetation management period begins after snow melting in spring and continues into the fall.