Should operators inform PHMSA Pipeline Safety of changes they determine are needed to HCAs as defined in the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS)?
Operators should evaluate the information they obtain from the NPMS to determine if it is accurate. If operators conclude that changes to HCA boundaries are needed (e.g., populated areas have expanded), then operators should make those changes to the HCAs as they are used in the operators’ integrity management programs. Operators should document the reasons for such changes and be prepared to discuss them during PHMSA Pipeline Safety inspections. Operators should not generally inform PHMSA Pipeline Safety of such changes. PHMSA Pipeline Safety relies upon other agencies (e.g., Census Bureau, Corps of Engineers) for the data used in the NPMS and does not have the resources to engage those agencies to make minor changes. An exception in which operators should notify PHMSA Pipeline Safety would be if significant errors are found. As an example, rivers in Alaska were found to be mis-located in early versions of the NPMS due to digitizing errors in the original Commercially Navigable Waters
Related Questions
- Should operators inform PHMSA Pipeline Safety of changes they determine are needed to HCAs as defined in the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS)?
- Does PHMSA Pipeline Safety expect operators to apply different relative risk ranking systems for lines in HCAs?
- What are PHMSA Pipeline Safety expectations for operators to determine new or changed HCAs?
