2001 Triple Bottom Line Report - BC Hydro

SEIP
V E G E T A T I O N M A N A G E M E N T
To maintain security of service, BC Hydro controls vegetation in
and around facilities and along transmission and distribution power
line rights-of-way. We also concern ourselves with maintaining
enough natural cover to support fish and wildlife habitat needs.
Our vegetation management systems are site-specific and
incorporate environmental considerations. Integrated approaches
are applied along transmission corridors to control tall-growing
species that could come into contact with lines, and to
encourage low-growing plant communities. Along distribution
rights-of-way we use recognized arboricultural techniques to
prune vegetation to within a prescribed distance from lines,
redirect growth away from lines and remove hazardous trees.
Last year, at Fee Creek north of Mount Currie, we worked with
the Stl’atl’imx First Nation to replace tall-growing trees on our
transmission line corridor with a variety of wetland shrubs.
A R R O W L A K E R E S E R V O I R R E H A B I L I T A T I O N
A dust control program has helped create a nature oasis on the
flats within Arrow Lake Reservoir near Revelstoke.
The program began a decade ago with spring plantings of rye
and reed canary grass on the 860-hectare area of old riverbed
that was exposed and covered in silt-like dust when reservoir levels
dropped. Planting stopped the dust storms that arose with spring
squalls, and helped create an area rich in aquatic, plant and wildlife.
The new vegetation removed the need to periodically send in
crews to top trees near the creek, thereby reducing impacts on
the creek’s sensitive fishery. The project also enhanced education
and recreation opportunities in the area and improved our
system reliability.
Vegetation management efforts have focused in recent years
on standardizing processes and practices, and compiling a
storehouse of knowledge about site-specific land features and
environmental requirements that help shape management
prescriptions for different areas. Mapping of sensitive areas is
nearing completion in the Lower Mainland, where more than
98 per cent of approximately 3000 streams crossed by our
transmission system are now inventoried and classified according
to fish-bearing capability. Site-specific prescriptions for each
of these stream crossings are being developed this year.
Today the area is inhabited by a diverse range of wildlife,
from eagles and blue heron to songbirds, waterfowl and insects.
As the grasslands grow, more deer, elk and moose are using
the area. The new vegetation has increased insect production,
leading to more songbirds and helping the rainbow trout fishery
in the reservoir. Increased abundance of fish is accompanied
by more frequent sightings of eagles, osprey and blue herons.
E N V I R O N M E N T A L B O T T O M L I N E | 4 6