FortisBC Vegetation Clearing Disrupts Lake Country Property

A vegetation management project by FortisBC resulted in the removal of numerous trees from a homeowner's property in Lake Country, impacting a well-maintained yard. The work, conducted under the authority of a natural gas line right-of-way, involved cutting down a birch, a conifer, and damaging several junipers.

FortisBC stated that vegetation management is crucial for public safety and infrastructure reliability but emphasized that property owners are liable for debris and stumps left post-clearing. The homeowner reported significant emotional distress among neighbors and expressed concern over the cleanup costs incurred due to debris left on his property. This incident may prompt discussions on utility access rights versus homeowner compensation in similar cases.