Con Ed has senselessly cut down thousands and thousands of trees for so-called maintenance of the transmission lines. They have cut down trees that are nowhere near the high voltage lines and are much further away from them than many homes and trees on private properties. In some areas, the trees were far downhill from the lines. Con Edison has turned beautiful, tree-lined streets into desolate roadways from which miles of power lines can be seen.
Why the sudden destruction of our local natural environments? Con Edison has changed their maintenance policy. Until this year the policy was "tender trimming," under which they carefully planned and trimmed only what was necessary to prevent dangerous conditions with the power lines. Recently, they have adopted the "20 year maintenance plan," under which they are clear cutting their Right of Ways, and in 20 years will repeat the process. Clear cut, repeat, clear cut, repeat. This overly aggressive form of maintenance is being carried out on protected woodlands and wetlands simply because it's being done by Con Ed.
This method of maintenance has a huge impact on the environment, as well on the residents of areas that have power transmission lines running through them. Gone are the beauty of the greenery, the noise & pollution barrier, the wildlife, the privacy of the woodlands. For those closest to the areas that have been cut, the quality of life has been drastcially reduced and cannot be recovered in the forseeable future. The property values have gone down; homes that were lined by woods are now sitting on highways and/or are open to view by others.
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My family has lived on Ridge Road in Hartsdale for over 50 years. Before the parkway was built and before the Towers were installed. Within last few weeks Con Ed has initiated aggressive “Tree Trimming” activities in our area that has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of
ReplyDeleteacres of woodland. As well as, the use of toxic herbicides to prevent re-growth on NYC aquaduct areas that end up in our drinking water.
Initially we were told that this was about concerns over power outages, however, on friday afternoon, I learned that Con Ed has chosen to discontinue a policy of pruning and maintenance and has adopted a new 20 year maintenance plan, without any regard for the impact on the environment or the quality of life of the residents in the surrounding area. Not to mention, the economic impact on property owners, particularly in densely populated suburban areas where visual buffering can add a significant value to one’s home.
Now that the trees are gone, the noise from the highway is twice the volume. Windows closed and the morning news on...all we can hear is the thousands of cars driving by. We are forced to look and hear cars from every room of the house or put up window treatments to shield the view. Our house was designed to sit on the property with nature, 77 windows provided views that I have treasured through my lifetime.
Our family has maintained and preserved the 3.5 acres on Ridge Road rather than slice it up, because we felt it was important to hold off thoughtless development. What to do now...live our lives with
windows closed and ear plugs in?
For many of us it seems as if it is too late, I have gone door to door over that past few days speaking with my neighbors and our goal now to to stop further destruction and begin a massive replanting initiative on both public and private lands. We also insist that a sound barrier wall be constructed along the Spain Brook Parkway in residential
areas to muffle the the sounds of constant traffic and air pollution.
This is only part of the foot print....
Broken Hearted in Hartsdale
I support your efforts and initiatives. I also suggest that you encourage people to reach out to our State Legislators (Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins and Assemblyman Richard Brodsky). The Senate and Assembly Environment Committees should hold hearings on this and press the NYS Public Service Commission to investigate if Con Ed and other utilities around the state have been cutting trees that don't need to be cut--trees that don't impact the power lines. Current laws limit the ability of local governments to stop the clear cutting. The PSC is aware of what Con Ed has been doing and hasn't taken any action. In my opinion, if the Environment Committees schedule hearings and give this some attention - it could prompt the PSC to take a closer look at what is being done.
ReplyDeletePAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
WHERE WAS PAUL FEINER DURING THE CUTTING ?
ReplyDeleteCON ED OPERATED 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM
7:30 AM TO 5:30 PM. HE COULD HAVE
CALLED THE POLICE HIMSELF !!!
HE ENJOYS DRIVING AROUND IN HIS SILLY
ELECTRIC CAR FEELING GREEN AND
NOT SEEING CON ED'S DESTRUCTION ?
GREAT ! THANKS FOR NOTHING !
STOP AND DO SOMETHING !!
Dear Anonymous ~
ReplyDeleteFirst, my condolences. I can certainly understand your heartbreak. The trees we have here are such a great gift.
What I'm wondering is how you found out about this '20 year plan' of Con Ed's? And what is it? While you would clearly like to have Paul Feiner's head on a stake, it seems that what he is suggesting may be the 'way to go', i.e., that the "Senate and Assembly Environment Committees should hold hearings on this and press the NYS Public Service Commission to investigate if Con Ed and other utilities around the state have been cutting trees that don't need to be cut--trees that don't impact the power lines". For 'private property' may be the rule here; hence the inability of local government to deal with this - and the need for state level 'hearings' and the likes (an absurdity that accountability is so poor, but then ...).
Or Paul, is there a legal basis for dealing with Con Ed here? As noted in the emails, "Aaron Schmidt (Greenburgh Town Forestry Officer/Environmental Planner) will be meeting with Con Edison representatives to discuss the fact that Con Ed did not file a Wetlands Clearance with Greenburgh prior to the clear cutting. This is a necessary document.". But this may only result in a relative hand slap. A neighbor cleared all the trees off their lot (1 1/2 acres?) and recieved a $1,000 fine - an amount they easily put in their 'petty cash' column, I'm sure.
So our rallying point may be at the level that Paul suggested, as Con Ed is acting like a behemoth without conscience. Though since they removed our barrier, it would be good if there were accountability there! For I took a look along their 'private road' this eve. It's unbelievable, and totally as reported - at least 80% is no where near the power lines - hence my interest in what the purpose of their '20 year plan' is!! Why would they cut away from the Sprain that way?
Thanks ... and sorry again Anonymous!
Oops - sorry. Kristina had said what the '20 year plan' is - clear cut, then no maintenance needed for 20 years, at which time they come back and do the same. Somebody's trying to save a buck!
ReplyDeleteThe rest of my comments stand though.
Has anyone else received notice of a "non-emergency" electrical outage set for Monday, December 7th, between 9AM and 1:00PM? There's a cryptic note "call with concerns: John@646-208-2011" I left a message with some frank concerns; namely, who is behind this. There's some mention of "routine tree pruning..."
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is "routine tree pruning." Wasn't that what Con-Ed was involved along Ridge and Sprain
No what Con Ed did along Ridge Road is called CLEAR CUTTING.
ReplyDeleteTree Pruning is cutting away just enough to clear the wires yet remaining respectful to the trees and the neighborhood.
Heart Broken in Hartsdale
Getting advice from Greenburgh is worthless and especially the DEP. Small corrupt municipalities are laughed at by these large corporations and are not cared about by state government who have so many poverty stricken areas upstate to deal with. Anyone who pays the town..i.e. builders, can do pretty much what they want. We've learned this several times since living here for 9 years. Twice relating to our own property, another time dealing with DEP all the way to top when our boat was stolen off Kenisco (along with others we found) so that the person who sells new boats can sell more and the DEP can earn fees for placing them in our spots. Most recently by seeing that they are going to be cutting down 100+ year old trees at 30 Topland to fit the blueprint the builder wants to use. Go down and see the beautiful old spruce along with several others with red ribbons on them that will no longer exist. Putting in 6 little 8-10 foot trees in their place! Very little landscaping was also replaced on the stucco house on Hawthorne as well.
ReplyDeleteI think its ironic that suddenly greenburgh is concerned about Con Ed, when on the other hand they give builders the right to cut down trees and do what they want in order to collect more tax dollars for the municipality. We all pay high taxes for poor schools and bad roads..I think what we really need is new government who is concerned about its citizens..property, roads, schools..rather than just playing lip service to its community.
Investigative hearings are indicated at the county and state levels. In the interim, there should be stop work orders obtained and issued against Con Edison with only emergency or imminent danger work permitted.
ReplyDeleteIt should not have been allowed to get to the point of necessitating replanting. What happenend to tree trimming? It will take decades for a clear cut area to re-establish itself. It is not a simple quick fix situation. Not every specimen used in replanting will survive and Con Edison will shift the responsiblity of any restoration work to the municpality. Con Edison should be held accouantable for such restoration work and the provision of long term warranties.
I live in Yonkers and will call Mayor Phil Amicone's office to complain about the tree cutting.
ReplyDeleteWell, now they've started "tree trimming" in the neighborhoods. There is no rhyme or reason how they are doing it. We just saw them cut branches on the side of a 100 yr old spruce, leaving symmetry totally off. They came on our property and wanted to cut off top of a small maple..which would leave just a 20 foot trunk, no leaves or branches. My husband told them to either cut whole tree or leave and is calling town and Con Ed Monday. They left. More people should just go out and argue with these guys. They are leaving "1/2 trees"..one side with branches, one side not! You would think they would at least look at the tree instead of just chopping..and you are right...not even near wires. This is vindictive at this point!
ReplyDeleteI am sympathizing with the decision by Con Edison to cut down all trees that are close to their transmission lines. Even a tree standing few hundred feet away from a transmission line can be blown into the line by a strong wind gust, causing power outages. Equally dangerous are trees growing along public highways. They can fall and cause accidents. Such trees should be cut clean up to one hundred feet from the highway. Trees growing next to private houses, when they fall, cause damage to the property and even deaths. Towns should prohibit trees anywhere close to the houses. Fallen street trees kill people every year. I really believe that trees belong in the parks. Even there they should be planted at a safe distance from pedestrian walkways.
ReplyDeleteWhy are we fighting wars overseas when there is a war going on in our own country? Trees kill hundreds of Americans every year. It is time to put a stop to this. Think of how many power-line areas, highway lands, and city streets need to be cleaned from trees. This would give jobs to millions of people, jobs that will never disappear because trees will keep growing. I commend Con Edison for doing this after receiving 170 million from the stimulus package.
My only comment on the last blog: "..doing this after receiving 170 million from the stimulus package," huh?! Is this true? If so, let's find out more about this. The destruction of our environment, property values and the quality of life CANNOT be what the government had in mind when they gave this money out (if this is true). Does anybody know how to confirm this?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the December 6, 2009 9:57 AM entry, that person obviously is not close to the issues. The problem is that Con Edison is being overly aggressive and in its vegetation management plan is going way beyond what is necessary for them to maintain safety and reliability.
ReplyDeleteA more intelligent answer would be a long term phase in plan to put the lines underground.
Answering question above: Con Edison initially received $136M of the stimulus money from the Department of Energy, followed by the additional $45M last November, so the total amount is $181M. This information is in the public domain.
ReplyDeleteAnswering another question: Unlike lower-voltage distribution lines, high-voltage transmission lines are put underground only where there is no viable overhead corridor. Because of high cost and significant disturbance of the environment involved, this requires special decision by the Public Service Comission.
ReplyDeletei suggest contacting professor robert kennedy at the environmental law center at the pace university school of law. i did try to reach out but did not get a response. perhaps, additional contact would help. they have succeeded in cleaning up the hudson and this is a serious local environmental issue that may interest them.
ReplyDelete