A Guide to Best Management Practices for Transmission Tower and Line Construction and Maintenance
D. Allen Hughes, P.E.
Course Outline
This course covers the following subjects:
- Potential Pollutants Resulting from Transmission Construction and Maintenance Activities
- Sediment Considerations
- Sensitive Resources
- BMPs for Transmission Construction and Maintenance Activities
- Preconstruction Planning
- Storm Water Discharge Management
- BMP Standards and Specifications
- Soil Stabilization
- Streamside Management Zone
- Revegetation of Disturbed Lands
- Erosion Control
- Enhancing Wildlife Habitat
- Appendices including Scientific Names of Plant Species
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to
enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will have learned or been exposed to the following:
- Potential Pollutants Resulting from Transmission Construction and Maintenance Activities;
- Sediment;
- Sensitive Resources;
- Wetlands;
- Factors Influencing the Soil Erosion Process;
- Climate;
- Soil Properties;
- Topography;
- Vegetation;
- BMPs for Transmission Construction and Maintenance Activities;
- Preconstruction Planning;
- Controls;
- Construction Site Measures;
- Waste Disposal;
- Herbicide Use;
- Storm Water Discharge Management;
- BMP Standards and Specifications;
- Barriers;
- Silt/Fence Filters;
- Dams;
- Diversions;
- Riprap Usage;
- Temporary Stream Crossings;
- Water Turnouts;
- Soil Stabilization;
- Pipe Culverts;
- Streamside Management Zone;
- Revegetation of Disturbed Lands;
- Grading;
- Soil Sampling and Testing;
- Erosion Control;
- Methods of Seeding;
- Selection of Plant Materials;
- Aesthetic Considerations;
- Enhancing Wildlife Habitat; and
- Appendices including Scientific Names of Plant Species.
This handbook on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for transmission towers and lines was prepared to serve as a practical resource document for engineers and contractors when planning and conducting transmission construction and maintenance activities. This guide could also assist agency personnel in meeting performance standards related to state/federal storm water discharge and non-point source (NPS) pollution control legislation.
Benefit to Attendees
Students will gain an understanding from this course of the proper approach to the construction and maintenance for land surrounding transmission towers. Its focus is on proper management strategies to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality.
Course Introduction
This course is based on the publication, A Guide for Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices for Tennessee Valley Authority Transmission Construction and Maintenance Activities. The techniques and methodologies described in this course document are applicable to nearly all transmission tower land areas in the United States.
Course Content
This course is based on the publication publication, A Guide for Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices for Tennessee Valley Authority Transmission Construction and Maintenance Activities.
A Guide to Best Management Practices for Transmission Tower and Line Construction and Maintenance
Course Summary
This course demonstrates the basic management practices for transmission towers. It includes much information on soil protection as well as restoration practices. Educating engineers, agencies and utility contractors on these topics could help protect waterways from unnecessary pollution.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
