The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission recently amended Rule 18.60.5.10 of the New Mexico Administrative Code concerning Pipeline Safety Excavation Damage Prevention. Part of these amendments requires excavator white lining before requesting an excavation locate from the one-call notification system. The white lining of proposed excavation routes or sites should be in accordance with the Common Ground Alliance Best Practice resources (Version 9.0 or updates): Practice Statement 5-2 White Lining and Appendix B Guidelines for Excavation Delineations.

In addition, white marking tape /flagging on existing structures or foliage is acceptable. Pipeline excavation may use existing surveyed centerline markings with construction zone boundaries marked in white at 4′ to 50′ stations.

For a copy of the Guidelines for Excavation Delineation, contact Jessica Roger.