Tri-State announces Ames-Burro Bridge vegetation management effort near Ophir, Colo.
- Effort will remove dangerous trees and other vegetation along 5.1-mile stretch through late July.
- Removal addresses public health and safety, ensure electric reliability, and reduce wildfire risks to local communities.
(May 26, 2022 – Westminster, Colo.) – Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association announced today that it will be conducting critical vegetation management activities beginning on or about June 6 along the 115-kilovolt Ames-Burro Bridge transmission line, near the town of Ophir, Colo. The work is planned to continue through late July 2022, depending on weather and other factors including local summer events.
The effort will occur over approximately 5.1 miles between the Ames Hydroelectric Station to near the top of the San Miguel County, Colo., side of Ophir Pass. The transmission line passes though the town of Ophir, and also on private and U.S. National Forest lands.
“Vegetation management is a critical component of transmission maintenance. Tri-State conducts vegetation management on its rights-of-way (ROWs) to protect public health and safety, ensure electric reliability, and reduce wildfire risks to the transmission line and local communities” said Doug Dean, Tri-State maintenance manager.
Tri-State will be removing non-compatible vegetation in the transmission right-of-way and removing hazard trees in proximity to its ROW. Vegetation management activities will be conducted by hand in wetland areas, and mechanical treatment will occur in areas outside of wetland areas.
Helicopter logging will also be used in areas where topography will not allow access for forestry equipment, and on the town of Ophir property where sensitive areas are present. Traffic control will be in place during helicopter operations to ensure public safety.
Tri-State will be hauling material on Ophir Pass Road and a traffic control will be in place to ensure public safety during these operations. There may be short-term delays during timber hauling activities. Tri-State will obtain a heavy haul permit from San Miguel County, and will work closely with the U.S. Forest Service and town of Ophir to ensure public safety and notification during vegetation activities.
Tri-State is planning on starting work June 6, weather permitting, and wrapping up the first phase of this work by July 22.
For more information about the project, please contact corporate_communications@tristategt.org.
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About Tri-State
Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 45 members, including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states that together deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State, visit www.tristate.coop.
Contact:
Lee Boughey, 303-254-3555, lboughey@tristategt.org
Mark Stutz, 303-254-3183, mstutz@tristategt.org
Certain information contained in this press statement are forward-looking statements including statements concerning Tri-State’s plans, future events, and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described from time to time in Tri-State’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tri-State’s expectations and beliefs are expressed in good faith, and Tri-State believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, Tri-State cannot assure you that management’s expectations and beliefs will be achieved. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein.