News Release

Agreement Reached on Rail Corridor Vegetation Management Program

(Tuesday, September 18, 2007) - Following consultations between Deputy Mayor Sue Uteck, Councillor Sheila Fougere, NSPI and local stakeholders, an agreement has been reached on creating a long term vegetation management plan for the CN rail corridor.

The agreement will see work start this week to address vegetation that can affect reliability along the main transmission corridor, as well as longer term vegetation management activities on which agreement has also been reached with stakeholders.

Nova Scotia Power will continue to work with neighbourhood stakeholders along the corridor to develop a consensus for work required in the next several months. In the longer term, consideration can be given to appropriate management of smaller trees which do not currently threaten transmission lines as well as the potential for tree planting. Residents/landowners and other stakeholder groups will be contacted by NSPI prior to future trimming, cutting or removal on the CN easement, a standard practice of NSPI.

Deputy Mayor Sue Uteck said, "I’’d like to thank NSPI for their cooperation. It’s clear they want to work with residents for a long term plan."

Nova Scotia Power spokesperson Margaret Murphy said, "We're pleased with the outcome of this cooperative effort, working towards a common solution with HRM, property owners and residents while ensuring reliable power flow into the heart of HRM. "

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Deputy Mayor Sue Uteck,
221-7651

Margaret Murphy
NSPI, Manager Public Affairs
428-6436