PLSO The Oregon Surveyor Sept/Oct 2020

18 The Oregon Surveyor  | Vol. 43, No. 5 Featured Article usually dodging heavy equipment on their sites. Best of all, in my experience, surveyors are some really neat people. I am going to share some of the things that I have shared with the surveyors whom I have had the privilege to work with. Some things may seem like com- mon sense. Some things may be a good reminder. And hopefully something will be of great benefit. When Do I Need Private Locates? I have heard some form of this question many times. I have also been asked if be- ing on private property requires private locates. Private or public locates are de- termined by who owns the utility line, not where the line is located. There can be public lines on private property and private lines on public property. For ex- ample, every metered utility is marked by the utility company up to the meter. If a power meter is on the side of a build- ing, the power company will mark all the way to the meter, even though it is pri- vate property. An agricultural irrigation line may cross a county road. The pri- vate line, belonging to the farm, may go into the public right of way. When pub- lic locates are called, state law requires every utility to send a representative to mark whatever belongs to them. Private locates are for any lines that belong to the property itself. If you come to the conclusion that a pri- vate locate is needed, a little preparation goes a long way. A few things can both reduce cost and give you a better quali- ty of locate. Since private locators bill for the time they are on site, it reduces the cost if their time is used efficiently. When possible, I recommend having the public locates marked before the private locator goes out to the site. This clarifies what actually needs to be marked by private locates. Time is also saved when a loca- tor has an idea of what they are looking for. This could be a map, as-built, or even a conversation to discuss site specifics. Most people know that they can call 811 to have a locate requested. The one call cen- ter also provides a list of private locators who operate in your area if you ask them. Locates can also be requested through the websitedigsafelyoregon.com.When locates are requested through thewebsite, there is also the option to attach files to the locate continued from previous page T This manhole was buried. This excavator called for private locates after exposing a private fiber optic cable.