Right-of-Way Vegetation Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions are general in nature, designed to increase the landowners’ knowledge of their easements. TVA has purchased similar rights on most easements, following the general guidelines below. For specific questions, refer to the TVA transmission line easement grant on your property, or contact the Right-of-way Specialist for your area (see map).

1. Have your policies changed for maintaining TVA rights-of-way?

In 2003, the northeast area of the United States suffered a devastating failure of the electrical infrastructure supporting it. The After Action Review (AAR) of the event showed that although there were some mechanical equipment failures, the larger, more dangerous failures were from vegetation in the right-of-way. These vegetative failures are not 100% preventable, but to minimize their affects we use the guidelines specified below.

2. How wide are TVA’s transmission line rights-of-way?

Most of TVA’s transmission line rights-of-way are between 75 and 200 feet wide. Rights-of-way for multiple transmission lines are generally wider. In instances where a TVA transmission line is located near a property line, a portion of the width of the right-of-way may be on an adjacent property. Existing transmission lines are usually, but not always, located at the center of the right-of-way.

Standard Right-of-Way Widths

Of TVA’s 15,900 miles of transmission line, about 13,000 are 161-kilovolts (kV) or higher. Although right-of-way widths can vary, generally:

• 500-kV lines with two underbuilds commonly use a 200-foot right-of-way. (Underbuilds are transmission lines built under existing lines, using existing poles or structures as support.)
• 500-kV lines with a single underbuild commonly use a 175- to 200-foot right-of-way.
• 230-kV lines commonly use a 150-foot right-of-way.
• 161-kV single- or double-circuit lines commonly use a 150-foot right-of-way.
• 69-kV single-steel-pole lines commonly use a 75-foot right-of-way.

3. How can I find out the width of a TVA transmission line right-of-way on my property?

You can determine the width of the right-of-way from the easement document that is recorded in the county where your property is located. Most of the easements and rights-of-way for TVA’s transmission lines were acquired in the name of the United States and are entrusted to TVA. Older easements and rights-of-way may have been acquired by TVA’s predecessors and later transferred to the federal government for TVA’s use.

A property survey that you may have obtained when you bought your property also may show the width of the right-of-way; however, the easement document is the legally binding one. The easement document is based on the property boundaries as they existed at the time the document was signed, not where the property lines are now.

4. Will my deed show TVA easement?

The legal requirement for the sale of property requires a 35-year title search. TVA began purchasing easements in 1933. If you are about to purchase property near a transmission line, you should require a complete title search of at least 100 years. If a title search was not performed, you or your representative (surveyor or attorney) should search courthouse records. Contact the TVA Right-of way Specialist if the search does not reveal any records for the transmission line on your property.

5. Can I plant and grow trees on the transmission line right-of-way?

No, typically easements were purchased to provide TVA perpetual rights to keep the right-of-way clear of trees so that it can build, protect, operate, maintain, and rebuild transmission lines. Therefore, most trees should not be grown within the right-of-way. However, TVA may allow low-growing vegetation, which will not exceed 15 feet in height, at some locations on the right-of-way, provided that the vegetation does not exceed other TVA’s requirements for reliable operation of or access to the transmission line.

A number of native shrubs and grasses are appropriate for planting in utility rights-of-way. Read about them in these brochures.

Landscaping with native shrubs (PDF file, 879 kb)

Landscaping with native grasses (PDF file, 644 kb)

6. Does TVA have any responsibility for keeping its rights-of-way mowed and maintained?

No, landowners are responsible for complying with city, county, and subdivision regulations regarding maintenance of their land, including that within a right-of-way. TVA has the perpetual right under most easement documents to clear rights-of-way and keep them clear of trees, brush, buildings, structures, and fire hazards. These rights were acquired only to allow for the construction, operation, maintenance, and rebuilding of transmission lines.

7. Does TVA clean up the trees after performing maintenance activities along its rights-of-way?

No, TVA does not clean up trees in un-maintained wooded areas on or near the right of way unless the area is a flood zone or a wetland; however, TVA has made it a practice to clean up cut trees in residential areas, crop fields, and pasture fields.

8. Do I own trees on the right-of-way or does TVA? Does TVA pay me for the trees cut on my right-of-way?

No, when the right-of-way easement was purchased, the agreement included the trees in the right-of-way.

9. Does TVA have the right to cut a tree that is located outside a transmission line right-of-way?

Yes, if it is a “danger tree.” A danger tree is any tree located outside the right-of-way that would 1) come within five feet of an electric power line if it fell, 2) would hit a transmission line structure if it fell, or 3) would come within five feet of a transmission structure if it fell. (Some easement documents provide for a 10-foot distance.) Almost all of the easement documents give TVA the right to cut such trees for the protection of the transmission line.

VA also has the permanent right under most easement documents to cut any portion of a tree that is located off the right-of-way but extends over it, regardless of the height of the tree.

10. Will TVA trim danger trees located outside the right-of-way rather than cutting them down?

No, tree-trimming is a hazardous and expensive activity. Generally, TVA cuts danger trees instead of trimming them due to the expense and hazard of the maintenance. In certain situations, TVA may allow landowners to have a qualified person trim a particular tree at their expense.

11. If TVA cuts a danger tree that is off the easement, do you have the right to leave the felled tree in place or do you have to move it onto the easement?

TVA does not have a legal duty to move felled danger trees that are located outside a right-of-way onto the right-of-way after they are cut.

12. Does TVA pay me for the danger trees that are cut outside the right-of-way?

No, TVA is not required to reimburse property owners for cut danger trees.

13. Do I need to contact TVA before I cut trees that are close to or within a TVA right-of-way?

Yes. Click on the area of the map where your property is located for the name, address, and telephone number of the TVA representative in your area.

14. Will TVA partner with me to maintain the transmission line right-of-way across my land?

In some instances, TVA will partner with property owners to maintain the right-of-way. If you are interested in a partnership arrangement, click on the map to find the TVA representative in your area.

15. Is TVA required to notify property owners before crews work on the right-of-way?

TVA does attempt to notify property owners of maintenance activities, but is not required to do so. Click on the map near where you live to see which lines are scheduled for maintenance this year.

16. Can I burn trash, brush, or debris within the transmission line right-of-way?

No. Fire and smoke may damage the transmission structures and wires, and may interrupt electric power service to customers.

17. Can I stack or store combustible materials on the right-of-way?

You should not store combustible materials on the right-of-way since these materials pose a potential fire hazard to the operation of the transmission line. Nothing should be stacked or stored on the right of way if its height or position compromises the electrical safety clearance distance to the line and/or the accessibility to the line for maintenance purposes. Extreme caution should be exercised when forklifts or other loading equipment is used under any electric lines (see question 18).

18. Are TVA transmission lines insulated? Can I operate equipment near the lines?

TVA transmission lines are insulated only by air. Everyone should stay clear of all transmission wires. No equipment such as cotton or grain harvesters, dump trucks, or crane booms should be raised near a transmission line. In addition, care should be taken to maintain a safe distance from electric wires when using backhoes, cranes, fork lifts, pile-drivers, well drilling rigs, and other tall equipment.

If you have questions about clearance, including whether placing fill within the right-of-way would violate TVA’s easement rights, please click on the map to find the TVA representative responsible for the right-of-way in your area.

19. Can I build or maintain buildings within the transmission line right-of-way?

Almost all easement documents prohibit the presence of buildings or other structures on the right-of-way.

20. Can I install a septic tank or field line within a transmission line right-of-way?

Only if the installation does not unreasonably interfere with TVA’s easement rights will they be allowed. A tank or field line must be installed deep enough so that it would not be damaged by or cause damage to maintenance vehicles and equipment using the easement rights. Before installing septic systems on an easement contact the TVA representative responsible for the right-of-way in your area. Also, see Question 18.

21. Can I install a drainage ditch, pond, or backfill, or excavate within the right-of-way?

Not if the ground elevation is raised such that it poses a safety clearance risk. If such activities do not unreasonably interfere with the safe operation and maintenance of the line and do not restrict reasonable access to the line, they are generally permitted. Before performing grade-changing activities, contact the TVA representative responsible for the right-of-way in your area by clicking on the map. Also, see Question 18.

22. Can I install a fence on the right-of-way?

If the type and location of the fence do not unreasonably interfere with TVA’s easement rights, they may be allowed. For example, landowners can install agricultural-type fences, such as those made of three-strand barbed wire or woven-wire. Stone, brick, wrought iron, and chain link fences, are generally not allowed without special access provision.

TVA representatives need to travel up and down the rights-of-way, so if fences of any type are constructed, 16-foot-wide gates may be required for TVA access. Contact the TVA representative (see map) for approval before installing fences across a right-of-way.

23. Will you provide and/or install a gate for me?

Fences and gates are the responsibility of the property owner.

24. Will TVA assist landowners in problems with erosion or trespassing by hunters and four-wheelers?

TVA and its contractors are responsible only for repairing or paying for the repair of physical damage to land caused by TVA’s exercise of its easement rights. TVA is not responsible for erosion from other causes. TVA’s easement rights do not authorize it to take action against trespassers unless the trespassers’ actions interfere with those easement rights. Other trespassing issues are between the landowner and the trespasser.

25. What are some examples of acceptable uses by landowners of transmission line rights-of-way?

Landowners may use the right-of-way for any purpose that is not expressly prohibited by the easement document or does not unreasonably interfere with TVA’s easement rights. Examples of permissible uses include pasture, lawns, crops, gardens, driveways, and parking lots. If you have a question about a proposed use of a right-of-way, please contact the TVA representative in your area (see map). Also, see Question 18.

26. Are there health concerns for transmission lines?

Click here for information on electric and magnetic fields.

27. What is the difference between Transmission and Distribution?

The most significant difference is volume - the difference between wholesale and retail. TVA’s transmission system moves power from the generating plants to your local power company. In turn, your local power company has a system of lower voltage distribution lines that moves the power from the substations to the individual homes, businesses and industry in your area.

Many more people could be affected by damage to a transmission line than by damage to a distribution line.