Access road erosion control and right of way revegetation became an integral part of the construction phase for new 500 kV, 230 kV and 138 kV transmission lines in 1981. All activities related to road erosion control, right of way revegetation and site specific revegetation and stabilization is collectively called restoration.
The purpose of the road erosion control program developed during the construction phase was to provide a stable road system usable for regular patrol, maintenance and emergency use. The road erosion control program included a number of treatments such as ditching, ditching and crowning, and gravelling, to establish a stable road grade. The most widely used method to control road erosion is water bar installation.
All right of way seeding undertaken in the period of 1981 - 1985 was by helicopter. Helicopter seeding provided better seed mix application control and contractor supervision than fixed wing aircraft. Helicopter seeding costs ranged from $30 $40 per hectare for applications of 25 kg/ha.