MD 2016 State Damage Prevention Program

Overview

Main Objective

Under this grant agreement, the recipient will: Assist in the continued operation and maintenance of its web-based Damage Reporting and Enforcement System; bolster its violation investigation process, as well as the development of an on-line education module and expand its outreach and education throughout the State of Maryland. The Authority was created in 2010 by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly and its stakeholder membership was created by the Maryland General Assembly with the express purpose of enforcing the One Call Notification program in Maryland. Statute, the Authority is required to present a comprehensive Annual Report to the Governor of Maryland and Members of the Maryland General Assembly. The Authority has just delivers it fifth Annual report to the Executive and Legislative branches of Maryland Government. The Authority will refocus its use of the PHMSA SDP funding away from an emphasis on staffing to the development of educational tools, such as on-line training and a potential portable APP to be utilized in the field. Current Authority staff has changed from contractual to a salaried basis. In addition, the change in the use of funds will allow Authority staff to attend three (3) major conferences which will reach all twenty-four (24) counties and 167 municipalities throughout the State. The Authority will also sponsor and participate in the annual Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Training Conference. One contractual staffer will be hired and supported by this grant, in order to expand and enhance the investigation arm of the Authority. All of these goals are in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Damage Assistance Program's Best Practices and the Maryland Chapter 635 Underground Facilities ? Damage Prevention Law.

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 5 (Public Education): A process for fostering and ensuring active participation by all stakeholders in public education for damage prevention activities
• 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.

Relevant Files & Links