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-83-012 ([Memo: Internal])

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

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: Memo: Internal

Individual Name:

Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

NAMES OF PERSONS: Mike Kidd and Frank Fulton

SUBJECT: Interpretation: 192.327 depth of cover in waterways

DIGEST: Kdid [sic] asked if "navigable" in 192.327(e) applied to river, stream and harbor, or only river. If it applied only to rivers, then all pipelines in streams and harbors would have to be buried 48" deep.

Fulton recalled that the concern during rulemaking was with large vessels only - anchors, etc. - and felt that the term "navigable" applied to all three. Therefore, it would not be necessary to have 48" of cover in all streams, rivers, and harbors. Only those streams, rivers, and harbors which support large vessel (ships, barges, etc.) traffic would require 48" of cover for a buried pipeline crossing. Less cover depth would be required for smaller or shallower streams, rivers, and harbors that do not support large vessel traffic.

CONCLUSION: Notified Kidd of this "determination"

Ivan A. Huntoon

Regulation Sections

Section Subject
192.327 Cover