Debris Policy

Debris disposal is managed differently depending on the circumstances under which it is generated. Vegetation management activity primarily falls into one of four major work descriptions:

Routine Maintenance + Scheduled Work

This includes the proactive inspection and pruning and removal of live trees. Brush is removed, the site is cleaned up, and the large logs are cut into manageable-sized pieces and left on the property for the owner. Lop and scatter methods are sometimes used, primarily in rural areas, where woody material is redistributed across the site. Wood chips are sometime blown on site in rural/wooded settings.

Debris is managed in this manner because the trees are being worked solely because of the presence of power lines.

Storm + Emergency Response

This includes the clearing of damaged trees to restore service. Vegetation damaged by storms or cut to restore service during emergency response work is left on site and not hauled away.

Debris is managed in this manner because the tree owner would be faced with the same clean-up if the power lines were not present. The tree owner is also generally benefitting from crew’s effort to get interfering trees safely to the ground, for example, from TNMP’s efforts to restore power.

New Construction + Rebuilds

This includes the clearing of vegetation for construction or facility upgrades or rebuilds associated with system upgrades.

Debris created is disposed of but may be left on-site through negotiated terms with the property owner.

Customer Assistance

This includes the work required to clear portions of trees from within a certain distance from the power line, so private arborists contracted by the property owner can perform the desired work while maintaining at least 10 feet of clearance (including equipment) from an overhead power line.

Debris created is left on site and not hauled away by TNMP contracted crews.

Debris is managed in this manner because it was the tree owner’s decision to work the tree, which is often independent of the presence of power lines. The tree is worked only to clear TNMP facilities so the customer can have remaining work performed.

Wood Mulch

TNMP offers free wood mulch to our customers. Call 888/866-7456 to inquire about mulch availability.