Right-of-Way Stewardship Council Announces Accreditation Standard

• 03/27/2014

Revised final standard developed and approved by the Board following piloting phase

Mpls, MN -  The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council (ROWSC) announces the release of its accreditation standards.  The standards support excellence and environmental stewardship in responsible vegetation management within high-voltage electric transmission corridors.  The standards were revised following completion of pilot assessments and the use of interim standards last year.

The ROWSC Accreditation Standards for Assessing Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Excellence establish the technical requirements for applicants seeking ROW Steward accreditation.  The standards are applied in an independent audit of an applicant’s integrated vegetation management program to aid in identifying excellence.

“The ROWSC standards promote the application of integrated vegetation management and best management practices by the utility vegetation management industry,” said Derek Vannice, ROWSC Board Chair.

The ROWSC provides rigorous management standards based on a set of principles, requires a formal application process, and enlists third-party auditors to determine compliance.

“The accreditation program offers the opportunity for utility companies to demonstrate their commitment to high standards for responsible ROW vegetation management,” said John Goodfellow, ROWSC Board member.

The ROWSC model follows the lead of Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Standards for Assessing Performance of Integrated Vegetation Management on Rights-of-Way and is informed by other well-established accreditation programs found in the forest industry.  The Board of the ROWSC represents diverse stakeholders, including utilities, researchers, government, and environmental and conservation organizations.

The 2014 ROWSC Accreditation Standards for Assessing IVM Excellence are available online at http://www.dovetailinc.org/reportsview/2014/sustainable-forestry/pright-way-stewardship-councilp/accreditation-standards-assess