Summary: On August 6, 2002, RSPA/OPS published a final rule on how to identify the populated areas near a pipeline for which additional protections would be required (67 FR 50824).  These ¿high consequence areas¿ (HCAs) include not only population areas already identified by pipeline operators through the longstanding Class location definitions, but also ¿identified sites,¿ 49 CFR 192.761(f).  Inclusion of identified sites is intended to pick up isolated population areas which are not picked up through the Class location process. Commenters expressed concerns that what was intended to be a relatively simple task, identifying certain sites as high consequence areas, could become a never-ending search. RSPA/OPS is providing guidance in this advisory bulletin to provide the necessary clarification.

Effective Date:  July 17, 2003