[Federal Register: October 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 202)]
[Notices]               
[Page 56570-56571]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20oc99-114]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket No. RSPA-98-4029; Notice 4]

 
Pipeline Safety: Damage Prevention ``Path Forward''

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA); Office of 
Pipeline Safety (OPS).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to announce a public meeting on RSPA's 
continuing efforts to prevent damage to underground facilities. RSPA is 
facilitating the establishment of a non-profit organization to advance 
underground facility damage prevention. Participation from all 
stakeholder organizations in the damage prevention community will be 
necessary to ensure the most effective forum to share information. 
Interested parties include excavators, facility locators, railroads, 
local, state and federal government agencies, and owners and operators 
of underground facilities, as well as the general public.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, October 28, 1999, 
from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Omni Inner Harbor 
Hotel, 101 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. A block of rooms 
is being held for the ``U.S. DOT Damage Prevention Meeting.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eben M. Wyman, (202) 366-0918, or by 
e-mail at eben.wyman@rspa.dot.gov, regarding the subject matter of this 
notice.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
Eben Wyman at the address or phone number listed under For Further 
Information Contact as soon as possible.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 30, 1999, RSPA held a public meeting 
in Washington, DC, to present to the Secretary of Transportation a 
report on damage prevention best practices, as required by the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The ``Common 
Ground Study'' was developed by over 160 volunteers who worked for 
nearly a year to produce this report on best practices in damage 
prevention. The study identifies and evaluates existing underground 
damage prevention practices that are most effective in protecting the 
public, excavators, and the environment. These practices prevent 
disruptions to public services and damage to underground facilities, 
such as water, sewer, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, as 
well as copper and fiber optic telecommunications cables and electric 
ductwork and cables. A major point of interest at the June 30th meeting 
was on the next steps to be taken in damage prevention, also referred 
to as the ``path forward.''
    A key lesson of Common Ground Study was that full representation 
and motivated commitment from all key stakeholders is essential. To 
effectively develop a ``path forward,'' we need input from the full 
spectrum of stakeholders to ensure that all affected

[[Page 56571]]

parties are provided with the opportunity to contribute and 
participate. Following the Common Ground Study model, RSPA believes 
that all stakeholder organizations should participate in this public 
meeting to share their ideas and express their interest in the ``path 
forward'' in damage prevention.

Topics of Discussion

    RSPA asks attendees at the meeting to identify those organizations 
and industry leaders whose high level commitment, leadership, and 
influence are essential to complete planning for establishment of the 
damage prevention non-profit organization. RSPA also seeks comment on 
the mission, goals, functions, and organizational structure of the non-
profit organization. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to propose 
guiding principles to shape the formation of the organization to best 
address the many issues involved in protecting the nation's underground 
infrastructure from outside force damage.
    RSPA strongly supports the need for an organized effort to address 
damage prevention challenges in the years ahead. With the support of 
Congress and the Department of Transportation, we are committed to 
provide resources to the effort. However, RSPA believes the future of 
damage prevention lies in the hands of the private sector. RSPA is 
working to assist the initial creation of a self-sustaining private 
sector, non-profit organization on a temporary basis only, to ensure 
the participation of all affected stakeholders. The U.S. Senate 
Appropriations Committee report on Fiscal Year 2000 appropriations 
directed RSPA to ``support the formation and initial operation'' of the 
organization. Once the organization is formed, the federal government's 
role will become much less significant.
    We enjoyed our role in organizing, facilitating, and managing the 
Common Ground Study Team and we plan to support this effort. RSPA 
welcomes all interested parties to attend and participate in this 
public meeting to take the next steps necessary in promoting and 
encouraging underground facility damage prevention.

    Issued in Washington, DC on October 14, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-27320 Filed 10-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P