Energy Transfer is committed to maintaining healthy and diverse ecosystems along our pipeline rights-of-way, and to preserving our treasured natural resources for future generations. Land management is an important aspect of our business as we responsibly maintain our pipeline rights-of-way in compliance with regulatory and safety standards while nurturing native plant growth and fostering natural environments for wildlife habitats.
We regularly mow and manually remove large shrubs and trees to maintain vegetation growth on rights-of-way. In some areas, we implement what is known as Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) which uses a selective combination of herbicide, biological, cultural, and manual treatments to help promote desirable, stable, low-growing plant communities and natural habitats for pollinators, grassland birds and many other species. Dependent on the site-specific strategy, IVM practices can have multiple benefits including reduced costs, safer sites, more effective long-term vegetation control, and reduced environmental impacts.
Regenerating the Rare Corkwood Shrub
We recently conducted an IVM study on our right-of-way within the Stateline Sand Ponds Natural Area in Clay County, Arkansas, to measure the effectiveness of herbicide treatment on wetland trees while encouraging regrowth of the native leitneria floridana species—a rare shrub commonly known as the corkwood. Prior to our study, the corkwood had diminished to 10% of the total plant population.
In year one, the team mowed the right-of-way due to the amount of vegetation. Woody vegetation is undesirable because it can cause damage to pipelines, block the view of pipeline markers, and create safety issues for employees performing routine inspections. After the growing season, selective backpack herbicide treatment was used to reduce the seedling tree count to allow more room for the corkwood shrub to grow. Initial data showed that the corkwood shrub rebounded to a high of 22% by the following year.
Following another round of herbicide treatment on the trees and two more growing seasons, the data indicated that wetland trees have been successfully controlled along our right-of-way, and the rare corkwood shrub has expanded to occupy 35% of the plant community. Additionally, other desirable low-growing plants such as cardinal flowers have appeared.
The team concluded that this form of IVM made a positive impact by controlling undesired plant species and providing space for the corkwood and native plants to flourish; thereby restoring habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. The positive results have encouraged further implementation of IVM practices along our rights-of-way where appropriate.
Studies like this provide new perspective on managing rights-of-way and show successful cooperation between energy companies, conservation organizations, and state and federal regulatory agencies. As pipeline operators, we have an important responsibility to safely transport the energy products our country needs while continuing to find new and better ways to maintain our assets that nurture the natural environments through which we cross.
