LAC 43:XI.6301. Requirements (Formerly §2707)

A. Each operator of an underground pipeline, after having received the notification request from the regional notification center of an intent to excavate, or an intent to conduct normal commercial farming operations shall supply, prior to the proposed, excavation or normal commercial farming operation, the following information to the person responsible for the excavation or normal commercial farming operations; 1. The specific location and type of all of its underground pipelines which may be damaged as a result of the excavation or demolition. If the surface over the buried or submerged pipeline is to be removed, supplemental offset markings may be used. Offset markings shall be on a uniform alignment and shall clearly indicate that the actual facility is a specific distance away. 2. Unless otherwise required by federal or state statutes, the specific location and type of underground pipeline shall be marked to locate the pipelines. The pipelines shall be marked by the operator by color coded paint, flags, or stakes or similar means using the American Public Works Association color code. a. When the operator has marked the location of underground pipelines, the marking shall be deemed good as long as visible, but not longer than 20 calendar days, including weekends and holidays, from the mark-by time, unless the notice was designated as a large project excavation or demolition and a written agreement has been reached between the operator and the excavator or demolisher. However, if the proposed excavation or demolition activity could impact a pipeline located on or in water, the commissioner may extend the time period allowed for completion of the excavation or demolition. An additional notice to the regional notification center shall be given by the excavator or demolisher in accordance with the provisions of this Subpart when the marks are no longer visible or if the excavation or demolition cannot be completed within 20 calendar days from the mark-by time, for routine excavation or demolition or ninety calendar days for large project excavation or demolition. b. Water locations i. Concerning locations of excavation in or on water, an excavator may request an extension to the expiration date of a regional notification center ticket under the following circumstances: (a). no utilities other than pipelines are listed on the regional notification center ticket; and (b). the pipeline markings are still visible. ii. Requests for an extension shall be made via e-mail to PipelineInspectors@la.gov on a form as provided by the commissioner. The operator(s) listed on the regional notification center ticket shall be copied on the extension request. c. The excavator shall use all reasonable and prudent means, within common industry practice, to protect and preserve all marks of the underground pipeline. d. In the case whereby a forestry excavator, agricultural excavator, or marine excavator has requested that the utilities and facilities be marked for location, the operator of a utility or facility shall mark the area of their utilities or facilities. The markings provided by the operator shall be deemed good as long as the markings are visible or up to thirty calendar days from the time the markings were made, whichever is shorter. 3. If the pipeline(s) cannot be physically located, the operator shall provide information to enable an excavator using reasonable and prudent means to determine the approximate location of the pipeline. The information provided by the operator shall include a contact person and a specific telephone number for the excavators to call. After the operator has received the notification request, the information on location, size, and type of underground pipeline must be provided by the operator to the excavator prior to excavation. 4. In the event of inclement weather as defined in this Chapter, the mark-by time shall be extended by a duration equal to the duration of the inclement weather. The owner or operator shall notify the excavator or demolisher before the expiration of the mark-by time of the need for such extension. 5. Should an operator determine that their pipeline(s) is not in conflict with the location of the request or should the pipeline(s) not be fully marked for locating purposes, a notification shall be sent to the excavator prior to the mark-by time. A notification to the Regional Notification Center that generated the location request shall suffice for compliance with this section as it pertains to positive response. B. For the purpose of this Section, the specific location of the underground pipeline(s) is defined as an area not wider than the width of the underground pipeline as marked plus eighteen inches on either side.