Beginning on or about June 1, American Electric Power will maintain the rights of way for some power lines in West Virginia by applying herbicides by helicopter.
The company generally makes aerial maintenance applications only in rugged, inaccessible and less populated areas where it is especially cost effective, according to Phil Ross, region forestry supervisor. Rights of way in populated areas, as well as near parks, ponds and other sensitive areas are maintained by other means.
Customers with questions about the company’s aerial maintenance program may call a toll‑free number, 1‑800‑642‑3622, for information. Customers may also write for information at AEP, Bluefield District, 2507 Washington Street, Bluefield, WV 24701; or Charleston District, 301 Virginia Street E., P.O. Box 1986, Charleston, WV 25327.
Herbicides used by AEP have been registered for use on rights of way by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDoA), Ross said. Herbicides to be used are 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr and picloram. Each has been extensively tested by the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories.
Rigid EPA and WVDoA restrictions and regulations are carefully observed by AEP contractors in applying herbicides. All areas to be treated are visually checked by helicopter pilots in advance to verify the location of any sensitive areas and to ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained. All applications are made by contractors who are certified applicators. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.
Right‑of‑way maintenance agreements between AEP and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right of way crossing their property in lieu of aerial application of herbicides.
The agreement compensates the landowner by an amount equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide application, provided the work meets AEP’s specifications. Landowners interested in such an agreement should contact AEP at the number or addresses above before May 1, 2006.
Persons who have questions about the program or who want to alert the company to the location of sensitive areas near power lines, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year‑round dwellings, public recreation areas and Christmas tree plantations, should also contact the company. To prevent any misunderstanding about the location of the sensitive areas being reported, the number of the nearest pole or tower should be provided. Numbers are posted on utility poles and on one leg of utility towers.
After the maintenance program begins, a 24‑hour telephone service at the above number will provide information daily on locations scheduled for maintenance.
Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicide applications should be made by contacting AEP at its toll‑free number or the above addresses. Complaints also may be directed to the WVDoA, Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which can be reached in Charleston at 558‑2209.
Lines scheduled for maintenance in West Virginia include: *
BOONECOUNTY
Bim - Skin Fork 46 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bim substation in Boone County and running south to the Skin Fork substation located at the mouth of Skin Fork Hollow off of route 85, passing the intermediate point of Wharton. Included is a tap that originates at the Rock Lick substation near the Eastern Associated Mine and extends to the Bald Knob substation at Bald Knob.
Bim - Sundial 69 kV Line – A portion of a transmission line beginning at the Jarrell´s Creek substation on Big Jarrell´s Creek near Prenter and extending to the Elk Run substation near Sylvester. The line section passes Hopkins Fork Road south of Lake.
Hopkins - Woodville 34.5 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line beginning at Water Ways Park, running northeast along U.S. 119 North, crossing the river at the mouth of Ivey Creek, then crossing the river and ending at Hannah Lumber Company.
BOONE, CABELL, LINCOLN, LOGAN, PUTNAM AND WYOMINGCOUNTIES
Culloden - Wyoming765 kV Line – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Culloden
substation in Cabell County and running southeast, ending at the Wyoming substation near Oceana in Wyoming County. The line passes intermediate points of Griffithsville, Yawkey, Clothier, Mifflin and Stowe.
CABELL, MASON AND PUTNAMCOUNTIES
Amos - Hanging Rock 765 kV Line – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at its Ohio River crossing two miles north of Lesage, W.Va. (Cabell County), running east to Little Hurricane Creek Road (Route 29) in Putnam County, then turning southeast to the John E. Amos Power Plant at Morgan´s Landing. The line crosses intermediate points of Barker´s Ridge, Dudley Gap and Morgan´s Landing.
CLAYCOUNTY
Belva - Clendenin 46 kV Line – A section of a transmission line beginning at Hartland and ending at the first Elk River crossing two miles to the west.
FAYETTECOUNTY
Kincaid T-117 69 kV Line – A portion of a transmission line on steel poles beginning at the Scarbro substation near Scarbro and running in a northwesterly direction, passing near Carlisle, Oak Hill Junction, Wriston and Hamilton, and ending at the Kincaid substation near Kincaid.
Sewell Mine Tap 69 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the T-117 substation near Beauty and running northeast, passing Spy Rock and ending at the Sewell Mine substation north of Lookout.
GREENBRIER AND NICHOLASCOUNTIES
Leivasy - Hominy Creek 12 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line on wood poles exiting the Leivasy substation to the south, turning east and ending at a point west of Lile.
Leivasy - McClung 69 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the McClung substation near Crichton and running in a northerly direction, passing near Marfrance and Green Valley, and ending at the Leivasy substation near Carl.
KANAWHACOUNTY
Cabin Creek - Clendenin 46 kV Line – A section of a transmission line beginning at the Cabin Creek substation at Chelyan and running east to the Cedar Grove substation at Cedar Grove, passing the intermediate point of Shrewsbury.
LOGANCOUNTY
Mud Fork - Holden 12 kV Line – A distribution line beginning at the Mud Fork substation and running southeast, crossing State Route 73 then turning west, passing the Mud Fork bridge on U.S. 119 then turning southeast, crossing the hill and stopping at Aldridge Branch.
Mud Fork - Mud Fork 12 kV Line – A distribution line beginning at the Mud Fork substation and running northwest, stopping at Fountain Place Mall. Also included is a portion of distribution line beginning at the Mud Fork substation and running southeast, crossing State Route 73, then turning west and stopping at the Mud Fork bridge on U.S. 119.
Stone Branch - Big Creek 12 kV Line – A distribution line beginning at the head of Stone Branch Hollow, running east over a hill and ending at the head of Vickers Branch.
LOGANAND MINGOCOUNTIES
Logan - Sprigg 138 kV Line – A portion of a transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Sprigg substation at Sprigg and running northeast, ending at the Right Fork of Pine Creek. The line passes near Varney and Ragland. Also included is the Grant Branch Tap, which takes off the main line near Ragland and extends east to the Grant Branch substation near Pie, passing above Musick.
LOGANAND WYOMINGCOUNTIES
Becco - Skin Fork 46 kV Toney Fork Tap – A tap of a transmission line that takes off from the main line near Lorado and travels south on wood poles, ending at the Toney Fork substation on Toney Fork.
Logan - Wyoming #1 and #2 138 kV Lines – Two transmission lines on steel towers beginning at the Logan substation in Logan and running southeast to a point north of Simon in Wyoming County, then turning northeast and ending at the Wyoming substation on Reedy Branch. The line passes intermediate points of Logan (White’s Addition), Monaville, Rossmore, Neibert, Man, Huff Junction and Emmet.
MCDOWELL AND WYOMINGCOUNTIES
Baileysville - Tazewell 138 kV Line – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Baileysville substation near Baileysville and running southwest, passing near Fan Rock, Wolf Pen, Trail Fork, Carswell, Keystone, Northfork, Switchback and Anawalt, and ending at the W.Va.- Va. state line near Jenkinjones. Included is a steel tower tap at Trail Fork and a steel tower tap at Carswell.
MERCERCOUNTY
Bluefield - S. Princeton 138 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the W.Va.-Va. state line at the Interstate 77 tunnel and running east to State Route 65 near Green Valley.
MINGOCOUNTY
Borderland - Chattaroy 12 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line beginning at Falls Branch and running northwest, crossing the mouth of Chattaroy, Alley Branch, Dan’s Branch and Barrett Hollow to the mouth of Brewer Hollow, turning northeast to the top the of hill, then turning north and ending at Parker Fork of Millers Creek.
Gilbert - Justice 12 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line beginning at the head of Ned´s Branch and running southeast, crossing the hill and ending at Baisden Fork on Gilbert Creek.
Middle Burning Creek - Kermit 12 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line beginning at Middle Burning Creek, running northwest and ending at Lower Burning Creek.
Middle Burning Creek - Naugatuck 12 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line beginning at Ajax, running southwest to Naugatuck, turning northwest and crossing Parsley, Big Branch, Evans Branch and Upper Burning Creek, and ending at Middle Burning Creek.
RALEIGHCOUNTY
Bradley - Dameron 138 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bradley substation on Route 16 near Bradley and running west, passing near Sweenysburg, Sand Branch and Upper Sandlick, and ending at the Dameron substation.
RALEIGHAND WYOMINGCOUNTIES
Mullens - Sophia 46 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Mullens substation near Corrine and running north, passing near Stephenson, Rhodell, Picshin, Lillybrook, Boyer and Sullivan, and ending at the Sophia substation near Sophia.
Mullens - TamsMountain46 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Mullens substation near Corinne and running north, passing near Stephenson, Rhodell, Amigo, Helen and Ury, and ending at the Tams Mountain substation on Tams Mountain.
WAYNECOUNTY
Baker - Tri-State 345 kV Line – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Tri-State substation southeast of the Tri-State Airport and running south to White’s Creek, then turning southwest and crossing the Big Sandy River south of Cyrus.
Lovely - Lovely 34.5 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line with two specific work areas: The first begins at the head of the Right Fork of Bull Creek, runs north and ends at the top of Cotton Hill. The second begins at lower Webb Road, runs northeast to the head of the hollow, then turns northwest over the hill and ends at U.S. Route 52.
WYOMINGCOUNTY
Marianna - Pineville 12 kV Distribution Line – A distribution line on wood poles exiting the Marianna substation to the east and ending at Sugar Run with intermediate points of Glover and Pineville.
Mullens - Wyoming 138 kV Line – A transmission line on wood poles and steel towers beginning at the Wyoming substation near Lynco and running south, passing Clear Fork and Baileysville, turning east near Baileysville and passing near Brenton, Mullensville, Pineville, New Richmond and Itmann, and ending at the Mullens substation near Corinne. Included is a tap to the Mullensville substation on Route 97 and a tap to the Pinnacle Coal operation on Pinnacle Creek.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP is the nation’s largest generator of electricity, owning more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high-voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006.
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*Note to Editors: If you wish, you may select only the line descriptions that apply to your county. E-mail versions of this release are available upon request.