SOLUTIONS TO MANAGE VEGETATION, SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND BENEFIT YOUR BOTTOM LINE. Pipelines & Integrated Vegetation Management
WHAT’S INSIDE
WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE PLANET IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS SAFE, RELIABLE AND COST-EFFICIENT As you manage tens of thousands of pipeline miles, ensuring the integrity of pipeline infrastructure is paramount. The same goes for minimizing your environmental impact. By implementing an Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) approach to managing incompatible vegetation, pipeline companies can improve environmental conservation and enhance community engagement while ensuring the safe operation of company assets.
500K MILES of natural gas and liquid petroleum pipelines in the U.S.
LIFE MADE EASIER FOR VEGETATION MANAGERS
Pipeline integrity is one of many benefits your business will receive — using selective herbicide applications as part of an IVM program effectively protects the environment and your profits. Read on to see how these solutions can benefit your operation.
PIPELINES & IVM
WHY IVM?
IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Nearly 20 pounds of CO 2 emissions are produced by burning a single gallon of gasoline; diesel fuel creates about 15% more. IVM programs featuring selective herbicide applications effectively control problematic vegetation, reduce CO 2 emissions and promote native habitat favorable for pollinators and other wildlife species.
REDUCE MAINTENANCE INPUT COSTS Unlike mowing, which spreads seeds and stimulates incompatible plant growth, IVM supports the development of native plant communities. This creates a natural barrier against problematic vegetation — reducing maintenance needs and making mechanical mowing more impactful.
Selective herbicides effectively target incompatible vegetation while supporting the development of desirable low-growing plants. This makes mowing easier and more effective while providing benefits throughout pipeline rights-of-way.
GET MORE OUT OF MOWING
ENHANCE PIPELINE ACCESSIBILITY
NON-IVM IVM Mechanized Mowing
Mechanized Mowing Vegetation Management With Herbicides: Selective herbicide applications reduce populations of incompatible vegetation and encourage the development of compatible plant species. Biological Control: Supporting native plant development enhances habitat for animal species that naturally control and manage unwanted vegetation.
Downtime can be extremely costly when pipeline infrastructure is damaged or compromised. IVM-based programs keep pipeline markers and other infrastructure clear of vegetation to improve compliance
and inspections while enhancing accessibility for needed repairs.
PIPELINES & IVM
SAVINGS
FEWER EXPENSES, SMALLER FOOTPRINT Without an IVM strategy, practitioners are racing against the clock (treatment windows) to control the reinvasion of incompatible plants and the spread of their seeds. Starting and sticking with an IVM approach early will provide you with plenty of benefits.
20 YEAR COST MOWING IVM 20-YEAR COST*
CONSISTENTLY CUT COSTS Selective herbicide treatments can help reduce your vegetation maintenance costs over time. THE CASE FOR RECLAMATION Selective herbicide applications control in
MECH MOWING
IVM
$1000 $500 $1500 $2000 $2500
COST01234567891011121314151617181920YEARS
16% less expensive than mechanized mowing options.*
31% price increase in mechanized mowing in the 10 years following the stoppage of herbicide use.*
RECLAIMED WITH HERBICIDES IN YEAR 10 - DENSITY RECLAIMED WITH HERBICIDES IN YEAR 10: DENSITY* MECH MOWING IVM
8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 9,000
compatible vegetation and enhance the development of native plant communities. This prevents the reestablish ment of targeted species and lowers long-term maintenance costs.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 YEARS
MECH MOW IVM
*Goodfellow data
PIPELINES & IVM
REDUCE AND REWARD Research has shown that right-of-way maintenance programs that incorporate IVM practices achieve considerable cost savings compared with programs that rely on mowing alone.
Mechanical Annual Cost
IVM Annual Cost
IVM Cost Savings Over Mechanical
Cycle (Years)
3
$3,116
$1,705
45%
4
$3,114
$1,352
57%
5
$3,234
$1,149
51%
6
$1,888
$1,412
25%
based on electric utility right-of-way research.
PIPELINES & IVM
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Controlling undesirable plant species with selective herbicides also means protecting and benefiting the environment. And being able to explain the upside of these strategies will result in landowners approving of IVM methods. Various studies and resources can help address common concerns.
John W. Goodfellow’s report directly compares IVM and non- IVM programs. And the results are not surprising: When it comes to improving habitat for wildlife species, mechanical mowing alone is less effective and more costly.
This resource guide, developed by Corteva Agriscience, provides effective communication strategies for vegetation managers when talking with landowners and the public.
The table below, within the Goodfellow study, illustrates the benefits based on the cost per acre over a 20-year maintenance period.
For more than 65 years, this research project has studied and upheld IVM-based practices as highly effective strategies for right- of-way maintenance programs.
ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS
RELATIVE COST OF MECHANICAL ONLY CONTROL VS IVM APPROACH
2X
Quality of Deer Habitat
2.4X 2.4X
Bird Populations
Bird Species Diversity
5X
Amphibian and Reptile Population Amphibian and Reptile Diversity
2.7X
2.4X 2.3X
Butterfly Populations
Butterfly Species Diversity
PIPELINES & IVM
GET THE RIGHT GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT If you’re looking for even more resources regarding economic and environmental benefits, visit the following sites:
WE’RE HERE TO HELP Looking to cut back on maintenance costs and reduce your carbon footprint? Sometimes, the easiest way to get the help you need is to speak with a vegetation management specialist in your area. Enter your city and state or ZIP code for one-click access to a specialist near you.
This is a one-stop shop for product information, success stories, industry trends and environmental insights.
Vegetation managers and applicators around the country share the success they’ve had since implementing a selective herbicide approach.
For a variety of ways to be successful while benefiting wildlife habitats, visit this site, which has the tips and techniques for ideal vegetation management practices.
To help ensure success in the field, this online resource provides self-guided digital trainings, how-to videos, application success stories, product-related resources and more.
PIPELINES & IVM
PIPELINES & IVM
WE CAN DO THIS. As your partner in vegetation management, we provide technical support and expert advice to improve results for a safe, reliable and sustainable future.
™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker