{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-91-015","title":"U.S. House of Representatives — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1991-05-28","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-91-015 response to U.S. House of Representatives concerning 192.705, 195.412.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-91-015.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-91-015.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-91-015","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1991/PI91015.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nThe Honorable Jerry F. Costello\nU.S. House of Representatives\n1316 Niedringhaus Avenue\nDear Congressman Costello:\nThank you for your recent letter addressed to the office of Congressional Affairs on behalf of your\nconstituent, Mr. Roy Farrow of Troy, Illinois. Your letter has been referred to the Research and\nSpecial Programs Administration (RSPA) for a reply. RSPA is the agency within the Department\nof Transportation responsible for regulating the safety of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.\nMr. Farrow has concerns regarding the clearing of pipeline rights-of-way. The Department's\nPipeline Safety Regulations (49 CFR - 192.705 and 195.412) require pipeline operators to inspect\nthe surface condition of their rights-of-way for leaks and activities that could affect pipeline\nsafety. Since the regulations do not specify the means by which inspections are to be carried out,\noperators may use either aerial or ground patrols.\nThe regulations do not require that trees be removed or that rights-of-way be inspected from the\nair. It is the position of the Department that, if visual aerial inspections are used by the operator\nto meet the requirements of the regulations, the rights-of-way must be kept clear of brush and\ntrees. Normally, this is a matter subject to negotiation in the rights-of-way agreement between\nthe pipeline companies and the landowners involved.\nI hope this information is helpful to you. If Mr. Farrow has any questions, he may contact Mr.\nBill Gute of my staff at 202/366-4595.\nSincerely\n* Travis P. Dungan\nDB\nC:\\WP51\\INTERPRT\\192\\705\\91-05-28\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":1591}