Riviera Utilities’ Vegetation Management Department manages vegetation along over 1,000 combined miles of electric power lines, fiber optics lines, natural gas pipelines, water lines, wastewater lines, and 90 properties (electric substations, gas regulators, wastewater lift stations, and water wells) owned by Riviera Utilities. Vegetation is typically the leading cause of service interruptions for a utility company, and vegetation management is typically the largest maintenance cost for a utility company. Therefore, it is necessary to have a proactive vegetation management program that keeps our employees and the public safe, reduces service interruptions, and efficiently manages the associated costs.

Historically, trees have been a leading cause of service interruption for Riviera Utilities’ customers. Trees and/or tree limbs can grow into or fall across the power lines causing a power outage. Trees also provide wildlife access to the power lines and fiber optic lines. Trees can uproot, causing damage to underground utilities, or block access to equipment. Managing vegetation to prevent it from growing into above-ground utilities and from growing over underground utilities has reduced service interruptions. From 2016 to 2022, tree-related service interruptions dropped by 35%.

Riviera Utilities applies integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices to manage vegetation across all utilities. Routine maintenance cycles have been established to reduce vegetation interference with the utilities. For the electric distribution system, the routine maintenance cycle is three years. So, one-third of the system is maintained each year. After completing year three of the cycle, a new cycle begins. Riviera Utilities promotes the lateral or directional pruning method for trees adjacent to power lines. If trees are located directly underneath the power lines and permission cannot be obtained to remove the tree, then clearance for the utilities will be established. Integrated vegetation management and lateral pruning practices are both approved by professional tree care associations.

IVM uses control methods such as physical (manual and mechanical), chemical (herbicide and tree growth regulators), biological (enhancing and conserving compatible native plant communities), and cultural (agricultural and recreational land uses) to achieve management goals.

Once a tree issue is reported, a Riviera Utilities representative investigates the issue. A decision is made based on the finding and Riviera Utilities’ Vegetation Management Policy. Trees may be immediately pruned or removed, pruning may be deferred until routine maintenance, or it may be determined that the tree does not pose a threat to the utility and the work can be safely performed by a private tree service. It is recommended that trees growing directly underneath distribution power lines be removed.

Only line clearance qualified personnel should work around or adjacent to power lines. Serious injuries and fatalities have occurred when unqualified individuals have pruned trees near power lines. Per the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OHSA) standards, unqualified individuals must maintain the minimum approach distances of at least ten feet from overhead power lines.

Riviera Utilities may prune tree limbs to prevent damage to the light. Riviera will not prune tree limbs to increase the effectiveness of the light, the amount of light reaching the ground, or limbs that may obstruct the customer’s view of the light. Pruning to improve these issues can be performed by a private tree service, the homeowner, the HOA/POA, or the city/town in which the light is located.

Neither Riviera Utilities nor its contractors shall charge the customer for routine vegetation management services performed. If a contractor working for Riviera Utilities requests payment, please contact Riviera immediately.

Riviera Utilities uses an environmentally responsible approach and products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and approved by the appropriate state agencies. Herbicides are applied selectively using a low-volume technique and only target incompatible, tall-growing vegetation. The objective is to promote low-growing vegetation that will help prevent erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat, but will not interfere with the utilities. Riviera Utilities hires professional contractors to perform these applications.

In landscaped settings or maintained areas, Riviera Utilities or its contractors will pick up debris generated by routine pruning operations. In unmaintained areas, debris is mulched or mowed and left to biodegrade. Following serve weather or other natural events, Riviera Utilities or its contractors, will not pick up debris. Immediately following a storm, the first priority is to restore services, so trees and limbs are cut to provide clearance for utility restoration. Picking up the debris is the property owner’s responsibility.

Although garbage pick-up for Foley residents is included on the Riviera Utilities monthly bill, Riviera Utilities or its contractors, are not responsible for picking up the garbage or yard debris. These services are a function of the City of Foley.