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HOME -> Member Services -> Right of Way Clearing

GVEA Rights of Way Clearing

Watch a video about rights of way
Safety tips for tree removal and landscaping

Don't worry. Your power should not be affected when our right of way crews clear the area around nearby power lines. During the summer of 2010, you will see our crews in the following areas:

Cantwell to Carlo Creek
Fox to Pedro Dome
Badger Road area
Hurst/Dawson Road area
17th to 23rd Ave
University Ave to Loftus Road

Quick links

Doing some landscaping? Make sure you plant the right tree in the right place.

Guidelines for City Landscaping Ordinance - pdf

Fencing Guidelines - pdf

Arbor Day Free Tree Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you clear?

GVEA maintains over 3,000 miles of power line. This is done seasonally, March through October, but power outages happen year-round. We clear for these three basic reasons:

A clear right of way enables our line crews to quickly access power lines, identify outage causes, and make repairs.
To prevent danger trees from falling into the lines. Trees falling into power lines are one of the leading causes of power outages. As clearing progresses through our power grid, hazardous trees are identified and removed. Maintaining cleared rights of way has helped shorten the length of outages considerably.
To prevent trees from growing into the line. Trees growing into power lines become energized and are hazardous to people, pets and equipment. Also, electricity going into the ground costs us all money, similar to leaving your water running while no body is using it.

How much area will you clear?

Most right of way easements are 30-feet wide. We normally cut all brush to the ground.

What is a danger tree?

Danger trees are:

Dead
Diseased
Severely leaning or overhanging
Snow loaded

GVEA right of way maintenance employees will evaluate trees for potential danger tree status. If it is determined that the tree is a danger to our power line, it may be removed.

To report a tree you suspect may be a danger tree, e-mail us at info@gvea.com or phone our operations office at 451-5692.

Never attempt to trim or remove danger trees yourself. The result could be damage to the Co-op's facilities and you will be held responsible for any repairs. Worse, you could be injured or killed.
Never touch a tree in contact with a power line. Trees do conduct electricity and can cause serious injury or death.

How do you notify members that you will be clearing?

Golden Valley Electric attempts to notify residents well in advance. Even if we will not be working on your property, we may have to access our work through your right of way. Members are notified by mail. In addition, our crew may talk to you in person or leave a door hanger. This gives you the opportunity to contact us before we begin work. For more information e-mail our Right of Way Maintenance Department at info@gvea.com or call 458-5717.

What kind of equipment does GVEA use to clear?

You will see us clearing with machines as well as hand clearing. Mechanical clearing is done by a Kershaw brush mower, BobCat mower and a Kershaw Sky Trim. They are machines similar in appearance to a front end loader.

The Kershaw brush mower cuts and mulches the brush as it mows a ten-foot wide path each pass down the right of way. Care should be taken to stay well away from the Kershaw as it can throw pieces of wood or other debris that could cause injury.

After the right of way has been cleared, the Sky Trim may come through side limbing branches that are growing into the lines. The Sky Trim has a 75-foot boom with a rotating saw blade that reaches above the power lines.

Our hand crews clear where the Kershaw mower can't go due to restrictive terrain, lawns, or close proximity to buildings. They cut and stack brush along the side of the right of way, trim tree branches that the Kershaw Sky Trim can not get and remove danger trees system wide.

Will you clear around my electrical service drop?

Service drops are the lines that connect your house or business to GVEA's high voltage lines. There is usually a transformer on the pole to lower down the voltage to usable household voltage (110-220 volts) from the distribution voltage (usually 7200 volts).

It is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain this service drop. It should be kept clear of trees and brush.

Golden Valley Electric may evaluate danger trees threatening a service drop but we are not obligated to cut them. If you have trees you wish to remove that do not classify as danger trees, GVEA recommends hiring a contractor.

We can also disconnect your service for you in some instances to make felling of the trees easier and reconnect it when you are done. There is not a charge for this service during business hours but please try to provide at least 5 days notice.

It is the members' responsibility to contact the tree removal contractor. If you would like to report a suspected danger tree or schedule a temporary disconnect e-mail our operations department at info@gvea.com or call 451-5692.