AZ 2016 State Damage Prevention Program

Main Objective

Note: These funds were not used.

The grant recipient will:
Use the grant award for allocable travel, salary, employee related expenses (ERE), and other expenses. ERE includes Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Long Term Disability Insurance, Unemployment Insurance, Workmen's Compensation, and other expenses including communication costs. Employee will be tasked with facilitating compliance and assisting with enforcement of the One-Call Law. Employee must monitor excavation activities, conduct follow-up inspections on complaints and investigate incidents of damage or injuries associated with underground facilities, and issue notices of violations as required. Documentation must be completed on all incidents to identify offenders where violations have occurred and to assist in enforcement actions. Follow-up investigations must be conducted to assist in the prevention of future incidents of damage or injuries associated with underground facilities. Enforcement of the One-Call Law in the State of Arizona is required continuously, as weather conditions allow for excavation activities to be conducted throughout the entire year with few interruptions. Having a proactive enforcement program in place has helped reduce third party damages and injuries associated with excavation activities near underground facilities. This not only reduces costs to facility owners, but allows the citizens of Arizona to enjoy a better quality of service.

Public Abstract

Under the terms of this grant agreement, the Recipient will address the following applicable elements listed in the approved application, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. §60134 (a),(b).

• Element 7 (Enforcement): Enforcement of State damage prevention laws and regulations for all aspects of the damage prevention process, including public education, and the use of civil penalties for violations assessable by the appropriate State authority.
• Element 8 (Technology): A process for fostering and promoting the use, by all appropriate stakeholders, of improving technologies that may enhance communications, underground pipeline locating capability, and gathering and analyzing information about the accuracy and effectiveness of locating programs.