Natural Resources, N.S. Power Form Partnership

The Department of Natural Resources and Nova Scotia Power are working together on an innovative planting program to reduce damage to trees and electrical equipment.

The department and Nova Scotia Power will plant compatible vegetation on the Glengarry crown land corridor near Sydney as a pilot project in the spring of 2000. Compatible vegetation includes low-growing shrub and bush species that are under 4.6 metres at maturity. Once established, these plants eliminate the need for continual removal and pruning of taller-growing species. They also offer new habitat for wildlife and increase scenic and recreational value to the community. The program will expand to include other crown land that intersects with power lines and has suitable landscape conditions for planting.

"This is an excellent opportunity for the department to work with Nova Scotia Power to improve the environment," said Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage. "Maintaining low-growing shrubs and berry-producing plants in these forested areas is providing habitat for a variety of wildlife."

Allan Eddy, project manager and Nova Scotia Power's senior forester, said, "By combining resources and expertise, we hope to develop some practices that will help us better manage our compatible-planting program on landscapes right across the province."

Mr. Eddy describes this approach to vegetation management as "working with mother nature instead of against it to achieve our goal of operating a safe, reliable electrical system for our customers."

This partnership is part of Nova Scotia Power's new compatible planting strategy for managing vegetation growth along its 29,300 kilometre electrical system. The information obtained from the pilot project will be used to manage vegetation and introduce new compatible plants in suitable areas on private land across the province.

Beginning in 2000, planting will be conducted each year from May to September in rural and remote areas. More than 2.5 million plants are expected to be established by 2005. Over time, the program may expand to residential areas. Landowners will be consulted about the type of plants or shrubs they prefer to be planted from Nova Scotia Power's approved species list.

Commercial growers of low-growing crops like blueberries or Christmas trees can also become involved in the program by leasing space on private land around power lines for their crops.

Nova Scotia Power is paying for the operational costs and the province is providing staff expertise and knowledge.