Ok to bushhog a utility line ROW?

[livemusic]

A tall utility line (electric) crosses my property for 700 feet, it might be 60ft wide. The front part of it, maybe 100 feet has grown up high with saplings, like, 10ft tall. They are up to 2 inch diameter, the bushhog could do it. Any day, I expect them to come poison it with herbicide. I'd rather they not do that but I doubt I could stop it. Most importantly, where the line starts across my land is right at a highway and the saplings and vines and bushes are beefy enough that it kind of blocks the view down my access road. If they spray it, it will clear all that out so people can see down my lane. I like it private, I have equipment on my land. I figured I could just bushhog a lot of it not in the part I'd like to stay bushy, lol, and maybe they won't spray that part but I thought I'd ask... do you think they'd come after me or look the other way? It's been a few to several years since they have been in there far as I know.

 

[Roadworthy]

if it's your land they just have an easement. As far as I know you can still use the land - that would mean planting if you wish, use it for pasture, or whatever. You probably have the right to mow your own land, too. I'm not so sure they have the right to apply poison to kill plants on your land. You may wish to check into the terms of their easement.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'd not hesitate to cut it. They'll probably thank you!

 

[DarkBlack]

Yup. It’s your land. You just have to allow them a right of way

 

[scootr]

I have overhead Edison lines running up one side of my property. I keep it cleared and they come to ensure it is clear or they will clear it. They do restrict tree height in the right of way to no less than 10' from the lines. They will top or remove any offending trees. As they do for some neighbors.
Next to the other side is a 60' water pipeline easement outside my fence. The water district is a bad neighbor allowing weeds to grow unchecked. This presents a fire hazard. CA requires a fire break 100' around the home. They are 60' away so I have scraped it bare for 20 + yrs. Nobody has said I cannot yet.
Do it - it's your land, their easement.

 

[finallydribben]

I bushhogged my electrical ROW just the other day and we keep ours maintained. I do this on purpose to keep APCo from coming on my property.

There is a list of approved trees that you can plant for privacy. Look those up, they should be on your utilities website. Or call them. If they cut those down then you can make them replace them and keep your privacy. Anything else they can cut.

 

[plowhog]

do you think they'd come after me or look the other way?

I would strongly suggest you obtain and review the wording and language of the easement.

What is OK on my property, or others, could be entirely different from yours. So you risk trouble if you don't learn first.

Most likely, the easement describes equipment access and maybe not much more. If so, that is good. The fewer the restrictions the better. But until you obtain and read it, you don't know. I've seen easements in my area that have things you would probably not imagine-- like no underground pipelines in the vicinity of power lines. What? No pasture irrigation? No sprinklers?

 

[Jstpssng]

I agree with what has already been said but the person to ask this question to is your powerline representative. It saves the company money to have you maintain it, and he can tell you the minimum required before they will come in behind you and cut or spray.

 

[Torvy]

We have 3 easements. 1 electric, 2 gas.

It is my land they they get to use rent free...

I can keep it clear myself, or they will come through and do it. They just need access to repair or update lines and such. I used the box blade before I got my flail.

Gas is a little trickier because we can't really dig there. Limits what can be planted there. Also, can't safely burn there just in case there's a leak.

You can grow crops in basements, but if they need to get on the property, they will likely destroy much of it and you have no recourse.

Good advice above as rules vary by jurisdiction.

 

[Jstpssng]

It is my land they they get to use rent free...

Generally an easement or R/W is paid for at the time of transfer, just as any other land transaction.