Clearing and Vegetation Management
MEA is committed to providing safe, reliable power to our members. Effective vegetation management is vital in the effort to reduce tree-related outages. For the safety of the public and crews, please keep clear of the work zone while crews are accessing and clearing rights-of-way. For questions related to clearing our rights-of-way, please contact our clearing department by email at clearingdepartment@mea.coop or call 907-761-9269.
Clearing Process
MEA currently works on a 7-year clearing cycle to safely mitigate hazardous trees and vegetation in the rights-of-way. These proactive clearing efforts have greatly helped reduce outages and improve power reliability for our members. The standard right of way measures 30 feet (or 15 feet to each side from the center of the pole), although some easements can be as little as 20 feet up to 40 feet wide. MEA will be clearing all vegetation within the full width of the easement with mowing machines, bucket trucks and hand cutting. All trees and brush in the easement will be disposed of or mulched and chipped on site. Logs of 6 inches in diameter may be left on site and stacked along the easement for use by the land owner. Stumps may be left behind. Please remove all items from easement in the area including vehicles, animals, equipment and unlock all fences and gates.
For the safety of the public and MEA’s crews, please keep clear of the work zone while crews are accessing and maintaining rights-of-way. Members are notified by mail at minimum two weeks in advance of when clearing will occur in their area and again by an automated phone call within 4 days of clearing activity on their property. Please be sure your address and phone number on your account are kept current.
2025 Clearing Plans
This year MEA Clearing and Contract Crews will be focusing easement clearing efforts in the communities of:
• Fairview, Knik Goose Bay, Pt. MacKenzie, Chugiak, Birchwood, Eklutna, and Eagle River.
To see a full clearing area map, please click here.
When crews are ready to start clearing the rights-of-way, members in the area will receive an auto-call ahead of clearing activity in their neighborhood at least four days prior of clearing activity near their property. Our goal is to cause the least amount of disruption in your area and we appreciate you keeping easements clear of debris, fences, and animals and your cooperation throughout the maintenance process. If you have a Danger Tree located on your private property that you believe could fall into the power lines or electric equipment, please complete a Danger Tree Report and the Clearing Department will schedule a tree risk assessment and free take down of the tree(s) if they are determined to be a hazard.
To see a more detailed clearing map for your area, please click here.
Common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q: What trees and vegetation are removed?
A: MEA clears the full width of the utility easement which typically ranges from 20 to 30 feet (feet are split in half from each side of the pole) for standard distribution lines. During the process, crews safely clear the following:
• Vegetation located in the immediate easement,
• Vegetation blocking access to overhead or underground right of way,
• Vegetation that have contact with lines,
• Trees and vegetation that could come in contact with lines (both overhead and underground) and electrical equipment.
Q: How do I know what trees and vegetation are being cleared?
A: Before maintenance operations begin, crews conduct an inspection of the area and mark trees, vegetation and easement boundaries. Also called “flagging”, crews use different colored tape markings to indicate future actions within the easement. Please refer to the graphic below for the meanings of the flagging colors.
Q: How are members notified about clearing that may impact them?
A: MEA provides notification to members and property owners who may be impacted by clearing operations in their area. Members will receive a mailer ahead of clearing activity in their neighborhood at least two weeks in advance and an auto-call at least four days prior of clearing activity near their property.
New Drone Vegetation Management Program Provides Greater Reliability
MEA is taking to the skies to enhance reliability and improve vegetation management across our service area. Our new drone program uses high-resolution imaging and LiDAR technology to efficiently map areas where trees and vegetation may encroach on power lines. This innovative approach allows us to better plan easement clearing, reduce outage risks, and keep our crews and members safe. The data collected is strictly limited to MEA rights-of-way and easements—we are not capturing images of homes or personal property. Rest assured, all drone operations are conducted by FAA-licensed pilots following strict safety and privacy protocols. By identifying problem areas before they cause outages, MEA can reduce inspection time, optimize clearing schedules, and deliver more reliable service to our members.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is MEA using drones for vegetation management?
MEA is using drone technology to efficiently and safely identify areas where trees and vegetation may pose a risk to power lines. This helps us prevent outages, improve reliability, and plan more effective vegetation clearing across our service area.
Q: Will MEA drones be taking pictures of my home or private property?
No. MEA drones only collect data within utility rights-of-way and easements. We are not capturing imagery of homes or personal property, and all drone flights follow strict privacy and safety guidelines.
Q: Who operates the drones, and are they licensed?
All drone operations are conducted by FAA-licensed pilots who follow federal regulations and MEA’s internal safety and privacy protocols to ensure responsible and secure data collection.
Q: How will this drone program benefit MEA members?
The drone program allows MEA to detect vegetation risks earlier, reduce easement assessment times, and better schedule easement clearing. This proactive approach results in fewer outages, quicker response times, and safer conditions for both our members and crews.
Q: Who is piloting the drones, and what should I expect to see at the flight site?
All drones are flown by FAA-certified pilots employed or contracted by MEA. You can expect them to be wearing high‑visibility safety gear—such as vests or bright-colored jackets—and operating from an MEA-branded vehicle. This ensures clear identification and safe, professional operations.
Q: I saw someone operating a drone near a power line—should I approach them to ask questions?
We kindly ask that members do not approach or disturb drone operators while they are actively flying. Operating a drone, especially near utility infrastructure, requires full concentration for safety and precision. If you have questions about the program, please visit our website or contact MEA Member Services (907) 761-9300.