Are there practical limits on an operator s search for identified sites?
Yes. An operator is expected to make a reasonable effort to identify sites meeting the criteria for “identified sites”. The rule requires that operators consider information they glean from routine operations and maintenance activities along the pipeline and from public officials responsible for safety or emergency response/planning who indicate to the operator that they would know of locations near the pipeline meeting these criteria. If no public officials have such knowledge, then the operator must identify facilities that either: have visible signs; are licensed by a Federal, State, or local government agency; or appear on a list or map available from such an agency. See OPS s Advisory Bulletin ADB-03-03 dated July 17, 2003, (available on this web site — http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/gasimp under “key documents”) for additional guidance.
