[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 6442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-98-4029; Notice 5]


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 the next public meeting of RSPA's 
continuing efforts to prevent damage to underground facilities. Last 
year, RSPA assembled a study team of over 160 industry and government 
stakeholders to identify best practices for one call centers and damage 
prevention programs. Their findings were issued in a report titled 
``Common Ground.'' To help implement the recommendations of the Common 
Ground Study, RSPA is facilitating the establishment of an organization 
to advance underground facility damage prevention. To achieve this, 
four teams have been established: by-laws, finance, membership, and 
nominating. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a forum for these 
organizational teams and interested public to begin the development of 
the organization.

DATES:  The public meeting will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2000, 
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.

ADDRESSES:  The public meeting will be held at the Sheraton 
International Hotel at BWI, 7032 Elm Road BWI Airport, MD. For 
Reservations, call 410-859-3300. A block of rooms is being held until 
February 7, 2000, under ``DOT Damage Prevention Meeting.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Eben M. Wyman, (202) 366-0918, or by 
e-mail at [email protected], 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: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
Century (TEA-21) authorized a comprehensive study of damage prevention 
and one call center practices. In response to TEA-21, RSPA initiated 
the Common Ground study, which provided industry and government 
stakeholders the opportunity to work cooperatively to address the many 
issues of underground damage prevention. This study team produced an 
unprecedented collection of best practices in one call and damage 
prevention programs. The final Common Ground Study was presented to the 
Secretary of Transportation at a public meeting held on June 30, 1999.
    On October 28, 1999, RSPA held a public meeting in Baltimore, MD, 
to plan for the establishment of an organization to advance underground 
facility damage prevention building on the spirit of cooperation 
developed by Common Ground. RSPA collected comments regarding elements 
of a mission statement, goals, functions, and organizational structure 
needed for an effective organization. Guiding principles were proposed, 
and interested individuals offered to participate on teams to 
facilitate the planning of the organization.
    As a result of the October 28th meeting, the following 
organizational teams were formed:
    (1) A By-laws Team to: Develop charter, mission statement and goals 
for the organization; define the scope and boundaries of the 
organization; establish organizational structure; and identify 
organizational functions, including public education possible data 
analyses and serving as a clearing house for research and development.
    (2) A Finance Team to: develop a business plan, including costs of 
operations, sources of revenue, mechanisms for funding, contributory 
levels for different participants; processes for receiving income and 
accounting; identification of major financial contributors, charter 
members, donors, staff and other resources needed to support the 
organization.
    (3) A Membership Team to: determine protocol and criteria for 
nominating and selecting members; determine appropriate types of 
representation to serve in the organization; and establish membership 
recruitment procedures and policies.
    (4) A Nominating Team may be formed to identify representatives for 
the executive board. This group would be formed once the organization's 
by-laws have been established.
    An executive team, known as the Evolution Team, oversees the four 
organizational teams. These teams have initiated their work via 
conference calls, and will meet for the first time at the February 17th 
meeting, which is open to the public.
    The February 17th public meeting will consist of a plenary session 
with all team representatives as well as other interested parties, 
followed by breakout sessions to provide each team the opportunity to 
meet and begin their work. The organizational teams will report-out to 
all meeting attendees at the end of the day, time permitting.
    RSPA welcomes all interested parties to attend and participate in 
this public meeting to continue the development of this organization to 
promote and encourage underground facility damage prevention.

    Issued in Washington, DC on February 3, 2000.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 00-2924 Filed 2-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P