TREES, VEGETATION
and our POWER
OUTAGES
I had the
opportunity to walk areas of Ward 2, with an Ameren tree supervisor and some
residents, in the course of this walk he did find things he needed to take back
to his men for correction, however I learned there are many things “we can do”
to keep the power on as well. I could write a book with what I learned that
day, but here are a few vital things that we can do to help ourselves.
**Did
you know that if you call Ameren out to inspect any trees around their power lines
that they will remove the tree entirely if it is within a 10' radius of the
power line itself? But they need your
written permission......CALL TO ASK......IT'S NO CHARGE....we already pay for
that in taxes/charges.
Fallen
trees and branches are one of the primary causes of electric power outages. To
minimize the likelihood of safety hazards and power outages, trees and vegetation
must be kept clear of electric power lines.
**In the case
of the easements between the fences in your backyards, ” like the picture
above” residents need to be aware that
the city does not supply clean-up
for these. Easements are the responsibility
of the resident. When left in disarray these easements can harbor many
health problems....homes for rats, mosquito breeding ground, and power loss,
guess where kids like to play when they are out and about with their
friends.....
**As
the helicopter seedlings fall from our trees yearly, it is a good idea to walk
your yard especially around the fence lines to ensure these will not see growth
in your yard.
SECTION 520.010:
YARD FENCES
D. The owner of a fence is required to maintain the growth of weeds and grass
between, beneath and adjacent to all fences to a height not exceeding nine (9)
inches.
(if the posts of the fence are inside
your yard, you are the owner of the fence)
Managing
Trees Near Transmission Lines
**Ameren continually manages
vegetation on its
transmission rights-of-way to provide safe, reliable electrical service while
maintaining, and, where possible, improving wildlife habitat within the
rights-of-way.
http://www.ameren.com/CommunityMembers/Pages/TreesAndYourService.aspx
The Zoned
Approach**Ameren takes a
"zoned" approach to managing vegetation both under and to the sides
of high voltage transmission wires along our transmission rights-of-way.
Wire Zone**The zone
directly beneath and 20 feet beyond the wires is called
the "wire zone." It is managed to encourage low growing plant species
with a mature height of 10 feet or less. If the wire is less than 30 feet off
the ground when loaded, the zone should be maintained as grass.
Border Zone**The border
zone, when present, is an area from the wire zone to the edge of a maintained
right-of-way or easement. In general, this area is limited to plant
species that have a mature height of less than 20 feet. Any tall-growing trees
or vegetation in the border zone will be managed to obtain appropriate
clearances.
For an inspection of your tree and line
situation, call:*****Missouri:
800.552.7583
****Reminder, that the Beautification Committee has a group of
volunteer’s that can aid those unable, who have No One to help them
maintain their yards/easements.
Please contact either myself at
314-517-2378, your alderman, or City Hall to get added to this list for
assistance at 314-427-8009.
****If you would like to become a
volunteer on this project, again please contact one of the above to be added to
the volunteer list. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE J …
