Work continues on the Western Area Power Administration and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Adminsitration powerline fuels treatment projects. The project area extends approximately 3.5 miles along the WAPA 345kv transmission line located on the Uncompahgre Plateau. The US Forest Service, Tri-State and WAPA are working in coordination to:
- Mitigate wildlfire hazards
- Improve forest diversity and increase wildlife habitat by releasing grasses , forbs and mountain shrub vegetation communities
- Create a demonstration site for natural resource collaboration among various project participants.
Treatments along the right-of-way will leave an undulating corridor of vegetation to reduce visual impacts and create cover areas for wildlife. Lower height vegetation will be left within the right-of-way when possible. Merchantable timber will be removed and all other products will be treated on-site.
This project is supported by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Keystone Grant, the Forest Service and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Administration.
In support of the UP Native Plant Program, Tri-State purchased 180 pounds of mountain brome seed for use in the rehabilitation of the powerline after treatment. The seed was originally collected on the Uncompahgre Plateau and grown by a local farmer in Olathe, CO.
Treatment of powerlines in Summer 2008
Touring the Project's Progress in September
