# Memo: Internal — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-83-012  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1983-07-27

PI-83-012 response to Memo: Internal concerning 192.327.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

July 26-27, 1983
NAMES OF PERSONS: Mike Kidd and Frank Fulton
SUBJECT: Interpretation: 192.327 depth of cover in waterways
DIGEST: Kdid [sic] asked if "navigable" in 192.327(e) applied to river, stream and harbor, or
only river. If it applied only to rivers, then all pipelines in streams and harbors would have to be
buried 48" deep.
Fulton recalled that the concern during rulemaking was with large vessels only - anchors, etc. -
and felt that the term "navigable" applied to all three. Therefore, it would not be necessary to
have 48" of cover in all streams, rivers, and harbors. Only those streams, rivers, and harbors
which support large vessel (ships, barges, etc.) traffic would require 48" of cover for a buried
pipeline crossing. Less cover depth would be required for smaller or shallower streams, rivers,
and harbors that do not support large vessel traffic.
CONCLUSION: Notified Kidd of this "determination"
Ivan A. Huntoon
dal\192\327\83-07-26
1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1983/PI83012.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `f101837d29df8429fb7ceb196b89b3923465689ea94a6e958515ac049bc5bccc`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-24T00:31:56.383Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-83-012`

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