March 11, 2004
Xcel Energy soon will begin removing trees and shrubs from under its 69,000-volt transmission line on parts of the Luce Line State Trail right-of-way in the western Twin Cities suburbs of Plymouth, Wayzata, Orono and Independence.
Every several years, Xcel Energy removes tall-growing tree and shrub species that pose safety hazards or could contact the transmission line and cause power outages.
A secondary purpose of this yearŐs work will be to reduce the growth of buckthorn, the invasive, exotic shrub that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants eliminated from the right-of-way.
Xcel Energy maintains an easement along the trail for the purpose of transmission line maintenance and vegetation management.
The project is expected to take several months, and portions of the trail will be closed when Xcel EnergyŐs crews are working in close proximity. Overall use of the trail should be minimally impacted.
Information: 763-271-6419.
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