USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Interpretation Response #PI-76-017 ([Herbert Schroeder, Jr.])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name:

Individual Name: Herbert Schroeder, Jr.

Location State: TX Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

December 3, 1976

Mr. Herbert Schroeder, Jr.
7910 Kendelia
Houston, Texas 77036

Dear Mr. Schroeder:

This is in reply to your letter dated September 14, 1976, concerning a 12-inch natural gas pipeline
installed about 1955 across an existing drainage ditch on your property in Colorado County,
Texas.

The Federal regulations for the "Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline," Part 192,
Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (copy enclosed), became effective November 12,
1970. Section 192.327 of the regulations prescribes minimum cover for transmission lines and
mains measured at the time of construction from the ground surface or the bottom of a drainage
ditch, as applicable.

However, Section 192.327 would not apply to the cover provided for the
pipeline on your property since the line was constructed prior to the effective date of the rule.

The Federal regulations do not prohibit a pipeline from obstructing the natural flow of a drainage
ditch. Nevertheless, such an obstruction may infringe on the rights of landowners provided by
common law and you may wish to seek the advice of an attorney on this question.

Sincerely,

'signed'

Cesar DeLeon
Acting Director
Office of Pipeline
Safety Operations

Enclosure

Regulation Sections