Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) is a systematic program utilizing several methods of controlling Trees and Brush under Dram’s power lines. When trees & Brush are not effectively control the difficulty and time needed for inspection and restoration from storm damage increases making outages longer. Our Herbicide Treatment Program is one of the most cost effective methods we use to control Trees and Brush before they become potential outage problems requiring costly trimming and/or removal.
The “Notice of Herbicide Application”
bill insert below is being sent only to those customers on the
circuits scheduled for treatment during this 2009 season. The contractor
performing this work for DREMC is Southeast Woodlands a
professional applicator licensed by the State of Tennessee (Charter #
1861). Herbicides used are approved by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and include ingredients that are in commonly available
brands such as Roundup and similar products.
This Bill Insert, being mailed out with the May billing, will be Your Primary Notice that your circuit is scheduled for treatment. Should you not want your property treated or would like to discuss this maintenance program, you should contact DREMC.
The crews that you may see performing this work use white pick up trucks with their company name clearly on the sides. Also you will see a sign on the truck that says: Duck River EMC Herbicide Contractor. A crew consists of the truck and 4 to5 men who walk down the rights of way with small hand pump sprayers on their backs so they can selectively treat only the tall growing species, vines, and briers and leave the rest. This promotes bio-diversity and improves wildlife habitat.
Right of way maintenance is one of the largest expenses in our maintenance budget. We are doing all we can to save the members money by reducing cost in this area while still improving reliability. By implementing this industry best management practice we can achieve both of these goals. DREMC thanks you for your cooperation. If you have any questions call your local DREMC office.