BWL Changes Approach to East Lansing

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Wednesday, September 3, 2014, 8:16 pm
By: 
Alice Dreger

Apparently in response to numerous complaints by East Lansing homeowners, the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL) has decided to change its approach to tree-cutting along its wires in East Lansing's Glencairn, Chesterfield Hills, and Oakwood neighborhoods. BWL is the electric utility provider to these neighborhoods.

BWL will focus work at this time on wires that run over land where the proprety owners have specifically given BWL permission to trim or remove trees. Owners who wish to meet in person with an arborist from BWL may request such a meeting prior to granting permission to cut. Owners who have previously granted permission have been able to withdraw that permission by writing to BWL. A number of homeowners have requested to meet with a BWL arborist in advance of any cutting, and BWL has been responsive to these requests by arranging appointments at the properties.

It remains unclear at this time what, if any, written easements BWL has for the areas around their wires. After a search of City records in response to a requet for assistance, the East Lansing City Clerk's office was unable to find easements for the Oakwood area. Additional searching with the County records again produced no results. Requests made to BWL to provide copies of written easements have received no response. It therefore remains unclear what rights BWL and property owners have in this manner.

BWL has been hosting a series of meetings with neighborhood associations in order to inform neighborhoods about their system. At a meeting of August 20 at the Hannah Community Center, BWL met with concerned homeowners from the Chesterfield Hills neighborhood and nearby areas. The meeting was tense and involved interruption and raised voices. Homeowners complained of "overly aggresive" cutting and the techniques used by Wright Tree Service, the contractor hired by BWL. Homeowners also complained of notices received after cutting and of notices that were vague or confusing. Homeowners at the meeting expressed concern over the loss of ecosystem habitat, urban forest, and property values.

BWL is now actively responding to written and phone requests from customers seeking clarity and/or modified plans. At the August 20 meeting, BWL staff indicated that there would be no reimbursement to homeowners for devaluing of their property caused by tree removal or unsighly tree cutting.

At the August 20 meeting, BWL explained that burying wires in old neighborhoods is extremely expensive and also difficult, in part because old trees have complicated root systems that can make trenching difficult. At the conclusion of the formal meeting, a group of residents brought BWL staff and Mayor Nathan Triplett on a tour of trees trimmed and cut down by BWL. BWL staff indicated that they adhere to the best practices of the utility industry for tree removal and cutting.

BWL staff present at the August 20 meeting indicated that their power to make decisions is constrained by the governmental structure of BWL, and encouraged residents to communicate their concerns to the Board of Commissioners. The BWL Board will be having open meetings September 9, 18 and 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the REO Town Depot at 1201 S. Washington Avenue in Lansing, next to BWL's headquarters. Although these meetings will focus on possible rate increases, during the public comment period, citizens may speak to any issue.

More information on BWL's tree trimming program, including staff contact information, is available at their website: https://www.lbwl.com/vegetation.aspx

Disclosure: Alice Dreger co-owns a home in the Oakwood Historic District and is a customer of BWL. The trees on her property are not affected by BWL’s tree trimming program but the trees of her immediate neighbors are.

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