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Algoma Power says it will keep cutting trees in Goulais

Despite concern and protests from residents, utility company says it has the legal right to clear the area
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Algoma Power says this photo demonstrates its clearance standards. Photo courtesy Algoma Power

As reported earlier by SooToday, several Goulais residents are vexed with the utility company’s widespread removal of trees on their property.

Residents say utility crews, in past years, have regularly trimmed tree branches to avoid interference with power lines and power outages (a necessary best practice for any utility company), but are concerned to report Algoma Power Inc. (API) is now cutting down large areas of trees on residential property by as much as 15 feet back, leaving a trail of stumps and wooden debris.

Goulais resident Suzanne Irwin told SooToday she and her husband have sought legal advice regarding the tree clearing.

Irwin’s husband put a rope along his property line in front of the trees, along with a note advising Algoma Power not to clear cut the area.

“The legal right for electricity distributors such as API to enter onto private property and remove trees, branches and vegetation generally that may endanger the system emanates from the Electricity Act, 1998,” stated Dan Richards, Algoma Power supervisor of distribution engineering, in an email response to SooToday.

Rope or no rope, protests from a number of Goulais residents notwithstanding, Algoma Power says the tree clearing program will go ahead.

“API is extremely sympathetic to its customers’ concerns about tree removal on and adjacent to their properties. However, in order for the program’s objectives to be met, API must move forward with the program and our clearance specifications,” Richards wrote.

Algoma Power says it has adopted a program that it refers to as a ‘Vegetation Management Plan.’ 

The plan’s overall objective is to manage vegetation that lies close enough to power lines to cause problems, with over 1,840 kilometres of distribution lines that need to be kept clear of vegetation, applying to all of Algoma Power’s service territory (not Goulais alone), the company stated.

“API is currently completing a cycle of line clearing and brush control in the Goulais Area. Typically these cycles range between six to eight years, ensuring safe and reliable service for our customers,” Richards replied.

“There are certain standards of vegetation control that API has been attempting to achieve as part of the program. These standards include cutting vegetation as close to the ground as possible within varying widths of the power line depending on the type of line,” Richards stated.

The company says it is directing customers to plant ‘utility-compatible trees and shrubs’ under overhead lines within six metres on either side of utility poles.

Algoma Power says it “regularly works with property owners to encourage the placement of compatible species” through Right Tree Right Place literature, to help its customers in determining what trees and shrubs are most suitable for planting beneath power lines and within the right-of-way.

Trees currently being cut down in Goulais tend to be mostly red pine, residents told us.

“Community awareness is very important to API, as is notifying customers of pending work activities which may be occurring on their property. API hopes to not only inform their customers of specific entry to their property but also to provide them with a good understanding of the vegetation management practices, as well as API’s efforts to balance the need to ensure the safe and reliable operation the distribution system with the interests of property owners,” the email stated.

The company said it attempts to keep customers informed of its plans through notification letters, site visits, community meetings, annual meetings with municipal councils and other community events every year.

Algoma Power added there is no quota of trees to meet in its current tree clearing program.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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