BGE has implemented Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) at six high voltage transmission right of way (ROW) locations throughout its service territory. IVM minimizes clear cut mowing techniques and makes use of selective herbicide treatments to remove invasive species. Native plant communities are allowed to thrive, resulting in a stable meadow or prairie plant community in the electric transmission wire zone of the ROW corridor that is compatible with the safe and reliable operation of BGE’s electric system.

IVM enhances food sources for wildlife by allowing native vegetation to establish. Native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees provide both sustenance and shelter for birds, small mammals, insects, pollinators and other wildlife. Butterfly species such as monarchs, tiger swallowtail, and common buckeye utilize the habitat. The tall grasses and wildflowers in the wire zone, and the grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs in the border zone, provide escape cover and nesting/egg-laying locations. Dead cane and brush is left in the area to provide nesting sites as well.

Rich Mason, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biologist, explained the importance of native habitats, "The IVM approach is far more beneficial to wildlife than traditional right of way management. Pollinators, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals will all benefit by spot treating tall growing trees and eliminating mowing. Pollinating plants will remain through the growing season instead of being mowed. Our ROW breeding bird surveys revealed a good diversity of birds that require old field habitat for successful nesting. The populations of old field nesting birds is in decline and the IVM managed ROW offers important nesting habitat for these species. In addition we have documented many species of forest birds that use the rich habitat of the right-of-way to forage."

Bill Rees, BGE’s IVM lead, said, "One success story is our work on the approximately 200 acre ROW within the Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge. Since 2010, we’ve collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other groups to monitor the wildlife within the Refuge over the long term. Since 2013, our observations have shown an increase in native bee, butterfly and bird species as IVM has led to increased populations of native herbs and forbs that provide nectar and expanded populations of native shrubs that provide berries. We’re excited with the observed benefits of IVM on this property and to be able to expand the use of IVM into other ROW areas within our service territory."

The power line ROW segments now under IVM by BGE include:

• Patuxent National Research Refuge, running from Route 295 to the Amtrak line in Laurel;
• South River Greenway Partnership, from Waugh Chapel Substation near Rout 3 to Route 50 in Davidsonville;
• Columbia/Lake Elkhorn Vicinity, from Oakland Mills Road to Carved Stone, in Columbia;
• Liberty Reservoir, running from Cockeys Mill Road near I-795 in Reisterstown to Deer Park Rd;
• Flag Ponds, running from Flag Ponds Parkway to the Calvert Cliffs Power Plant in Lusby, Calvert County; and,
• American Chestnut Land Trust, from Dares Beach Road to Parker's Creek in Prince Fredrick.

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