Integrated vegetation management (IVM) grew out of integrated pest management, which in turn grew out of concerns for the potentially harmful methods of controlling animal pests. Both seek a responsible, holistic approach to problem management. IVM has been around since the 1990s but only recently has the practice gathered widespread, serious attention. The goal of IVM is effective control of nuisance vegetation—notably in utility corridors—that also meets all environmental standards and is responsive to concerns from the public.
IVM: biocultural considerations
IVM requires an inventory of existing vegetation. How much? What type? How tall and how fast growing? Armed with necessary information, an environmentally-responsible strategy can be developed. The old approach of cut down the tall stuff and mow the rest worked, but other techniques are better for the environment as well as more effective over time, thereby reducing program costs.
The area to be managed likely still has to be cleared, whether by cutting and mowing or prescribed burn or other methods. Options after that include:
- Targeted chemical treatment that is effective against the problem plants but will not harm other species. In some cases, a pre-emergent herbicide can be effective.
- The use of low-growing native plants. If sufficiently dense, these can slow or stop the growth of problem species. Work with state or university programs to identify the best choices. Why native plants? To better support the local ecosystem. Remember, kudzu and crown vetch both seemed like good ideas at one time until the invasive properties of these non-native species became apparent. And consider a diversity of native plants; overrepresentation of one species can bring its own problems.
- Sensitive to animal life. According to the National Wildlife Federation, “Habitat loss—due to destruction, fragmentation, or degradation of habitat—is the primary threat to the survival of wildlife in the United States.” Nesting and breeding grounds and migration routes should not be disturbed during sensitive times. Well-managed grazing of livestock can be effective at controlling plant growth.
Although focused on natural gas transmission, this is a good primer on these topics.
The biological component is just one part of IVM. Equally important is the cultural component. IVM is not about only plants. It’s about people, too, which is why the term “biocultural” has come into play. It is expected that entities will be sensitive to cultural standards and include those standards in vegetation management. Cultural standards can be global or local and may reflect the interests of small subsets of the local population. This article from Cambridge University provides more information.
The cultural component includes your education of the public. It can seem that the public expects zero service disruptions and zero costs to ensure this 100% uptime. These conditions cannot coexist. Customers know this but may require guidance in acknowledging what they already know to be true.
IVM: compliance considerations
There is a lengthy list of agencies with input—and often enforcement powers—regarding vegetation management. That list includes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Added to this are state-level agencies such as public utility commissions and departments of transportation, plus local government authorities and agencies with broader oversight, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA.
These entities are, in turn, accountable to other agencies and the courts are continually impressing upon them the need for their compliance. Here are two examples. In 2023, the Ninth Circuit Court issued an order in SEIA v. FERC finding the agency non-compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Ninth Circuit characterized FERC’s failure to conduct a NEPA review a “serious omission.” In 2022 FERC issued two new policy statements affirming its intent to ensure that its management of fossil fuel infrastructure (including oil and natural gas pipelines) would comply with the Natural Gas Act’s requirements that such management would serve the public interest and factor climate change into management decisions.
These are just two of many examples applying to just one of many agencies. While the specifics of each example have importance, the real importance is in the pressure for agencies to step up their environmental accountability, which ramps up the complexity of compliance in light of vegetation management. Contractors and utility companies answer to agencies who answer to other agencies and the whole architecture is overseen by the courts. Maintaining compliance while practicing effective integrated vegetation management is a challenge. If contractors lack in-house talent to meet the challenge, it may be wise to engage the services of a qualified consulting firm.
IVM: reduces, but does not eliminate, risk
Even if you adhere strictly to IVM best practices, things will happen that require your response. Trees taller than the width of your right-of-way will blow over and disrupt service. There are factors IVM cannot control. There will still be wind and ice and subsidence and floods and earthquakes and a host of other forces that require repair crews be dispatched quickly. Have an emergency response plan in place.
Here are three final tips:
1. Regular inspections are still required to ensure timely action. These may reveal that previous practices were effective to some measure, allowing you to develop an adaptive management strategy of new and old methods.
2. Ensure that personnel are trained and certified. This includes not only equipment operators and sawyers, but also personnel handling chemicals and those involved in other diverse aspects of IVM. Be sure both trained personnel and appropriate materials are on hand to manage events such as chemical spills.
3. Stay current. IVM has had time to evolve but is far from mature. Expect regular advances in the technology and procedures. Whether you assign the task to an employee or enlist the aid of a consultant, someone should be monitoring the industry to ensure your company stays current with these developments.
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