TREES AND POWER LINES
Public safety, system reliability and cost control are important to the Marquette Board of Light and Power. Trees and tree limbs coming in contact with high voltage power lines are a serious safety concern, a leading cause of power outages, and add to the cost of providing electric service. To minimize the number of tree related incidents, the MBLP utilizes a right-of-way maintenance program. This involves removing and trimming of trees and clearing of underbrush in the transmission and distribution line right-of-ways.
Tree Request Program
The program takes place along transmission and distribution line right-of-ways and easements only. Trees over service lines (lines connecting a customer's house or business to the pole) are the responsibility of the property owner. When trees within the Right of Way & Easements, present an imminent and clear danger to the system or the public, the MBLP will, at the request of the property owner, trim or remove trees. The request must be made via the Tree Trimming Agreement or Tree Removal Agreement (forms attached below) which must be submitted to our Distribution Office located at 2200 Wright Street in Marquette or via email at TreeTrimming@mblp.org. Trees must be clearly identified by color-coded ribbons which are available from the Distribution Office.
MBLP POWERLINE RIGHT-OF-WAY BRUSHING NOTICE
Beginning After, July 15th, 2022, the Marquette Board of Light and Power (MBLP) will begin clearing overhead power lines in the right-of-ways and easements in areas of Negaunee Township as well as the Northernmost area of Richmond Township and Easternmost area of Ishpeming Township. In general terms this area includes: the MBLP service area w/o Marquette and Sands Townships. Line clearing activities are an important component of the MBLP’s Vegetation Management program; the goal of this program is to ensure continuous and reliable electric service to our customers while allowing system maintenance to be performed safely and efficiently as needed. Line clearing activities include the removal and pruning of trees, tree limbs, branches, and other vegetation along overhead power lines, but does not include the removal of lawn shrubs, fruit trees, or other ornamentals. Brush, Aspen, Pine, and other small timber will be chipped and disposed of by the MBLP; this includes all Ash and Oak in an effort to help prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and Oak wilt disease. Saleable hardwood, four inches or greater in diameter, will be left along the edge of the road right-of-ways and utility easements. Landowners adjoining the brushed right-of-ways and easements are permitted to remove cut timber for personal use. Upon request, remaining timber will be picked up and disposed of by the MBLP after the project has been completed. For the safety of the public, our employees, and contractors, please do not approach crews while they are working. The tasks that they perform put them near energized equipment where the utmost focus and concentration is necessary. MBLP Vegetation Management program questions should be directed to Chad Kauppila, Manager of Distributionat (906) 228-0300. Information regarding invasive species, tree diseases, and other forest health concerns is available from the Marquette Conservation District at www.marquettecd.com. Additional resources are also available at www.dontmovefirewood.org and from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
6 YEAR ROTATING CYCLE
It is the policy of the MBLP to brush our entire system on a 6 year, rotating cycle. Our system is divided into 6 separate areas not including the City of Marquette. Each of these areas outside the city is brushed once every 6 years.
Customers in the area where brushing is scheduled will receive notification via a message in their monthly statement as well as a notice in the Mining Journal. Yearly brushing projects typically start in mid July and run through late October.
You can also get information regarding avoiding tree and utility conflicts at http://www.treesaregood.com/tr....
Right-Of-Way Maintenance Program
- All second growth trees, leaning danger trees, and associated ground brush with the exception of lawn shrubs, fruit trees, and other ornamentals are removed. Brush, aspen, pine and other small timber is chipped and disposed of by the MBLP.
- All saleable hardwood four (4) inches or greater in diameter will be left along the edge of the right-of-way until project completion. During this time period, landowners adjoining the brushed right-of-ways may remove any cut timber for their personal use. Upon request, after project completion, remaining timber will be picked up and disposed of by the MBLP.
- All trimming, both initial and re-trimming, is governed by approved principles of modern arboriculture. Reference: National Arborist Association, "Pruning Standards for Shade Trees".
- All overhanging of nearby trees, saplings or brush endangering the safe operation of the electric lines, is considered as requiring trimming.
- All dead or broken limbs, branches or stubs above the level of the conductors and which endanger the life of the tree or the safety of the lines shall be removed.
- Protruding lower limbs on trees side cleared shall be cut back to the trunk of the tree if possible. Wherever trimming a tree which might be easily climbed and thus enable a person to come in contact with a conductor, low branches that would be helpful in climbing shall be removed from all sides to make the tree generally symmetrical.
- All cuts will be made so as to provide maximum protection to the trees and to ensure proper healing of the wound.
- Removed trees are cut as near the ground line as possible, but in no case more than four inches (4") above the ground line.
For additional information, contact the Distribution Department at 906-228-0300.