We have a lot of Natural gas piplines in Eddy County

Woods note: We have a lot of Natural Gas pipelines in Eddy County, I have been called out to issues in Agriculture field, Cotton, Alfalfa, Pecans as well as homeowners. So while this articles was written for hurricane recovery areas it good information for here too! As hurricane clean up is well underway, there is a chance the utilities buried below may be damaged. As we mentioned last month, removing trees and stumps is a major threat to buried utilities. Erosion can also impact utility depth and position, but identifying the warning signs and following proper emergency response procedures can help protect farmers and ranchers in the event of a leak or damage. Recognizing a Pipeline Leak Identifying potential leaks is an important message to remind your clients about, especially as hurricane cleanup and harvesting is underway. When a pipeline is hit, there are key sights, smells and sounds that all farmers and ranchers should be aware of. Seeing • Oily sheen on water surfaces • Dirt or liquid blowing into the air • Vapor stream or mist-like cloud over pipeline • Unexpected frost or ice on ground or exposed pipeline facility • Water continuously bubbling in wet or flooded areas • Dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise green area • Dry area in a wet field • Flames from the ground or burning aboveground • Liquid on ground Smelling • Gasoline or diesel fuel smell • Rotten eggs scent • Sharp acidic smell • Strong sulfur scent • Unusually strong "skunk" odor Hearing • Unusual hissing sound • Loud blowing or roaring noise What if I Hit a Pipeline? If you hit a pipeline or suspect you hit a pipeline while digging, immediately take the following steps: • Leave the area immediately on foot in an upwind and uphill direction whenever possible • Extinguish any possible sources of ignition, turn off equipment, put out cigarettes • Warn others to evacuate the area • Call 911 from a safe distance • Call the EMERGENCY phone number for the pipeline operator which can be located on pipeline markers along the ROW What NOT to do: • Do not touch any liquid or vapor cloud that might have come from a pipeline leak • Do not start your vehicle or any equipment that could be a potential ignition source • Do not turn on or off anything that may create a spark, including cell phones, pagers, flashlights, keyless entry remotes, vehicle alarms, and light switches • Do not smoke or light a match • Do not attempt to alter the flow of product by turning pipeline valves; this could make the situation worse Click here to view the article in the PASA Farm & Ranch Excavation Safety Guide. Working Together Last month we shared some of the great initiatives agents are taking part in across the country. Here are more ways they are spreading the safe digging word: Shawn Banks, County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent at North Carolina State University, shared an 811 pirate safety video to get people excited for the upcoming Beaufort Pirate Invasion event in Beaufort, NC. Karen Cox, Ohio County Agent - Agriculture and Natural Resources at WVU Extension Service, helped protect a 10" water line on Monday, August 28 when a local group was installing fence posts for a garden. After a call to 811 was made and the utilities were located, Karen got a call from the water company thanking her, as the fence posts were in the area of a 10" water line. This is a snapshot of some of the great efforts by ag agents across the country. We encourage you to send us the initiatives you take part in. Each time you share a message using PASA resources, you will receive a gourmet coffee shop gift card and will be entered into a drawing for an iPad that will be given away at the 2018 NACAA Conference. If you're looking for something to share during your next meeting or on your social media page, the "811 for the Ag Community" video is a great resource, containing testimonials from farmers who have experienced a pipeline damage, to covering the 811 process and common myths associated with digging. As always, thank you for your continued support and if there is anything we can do to assist in your educational efforts, please let us know. Chris Thome Program Director Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance P: 952-428-7968 C: 612-386-8858 Whitney Price Program Coordinator whitney@emailir.com Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance P: 952-428-7990 Resources Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance Call Before You Dig Info Find Pipelines in Your County Let Us Know! Click here to send us a link to any media posts you have made using PASA resources and we will send you a gourmet coffee shop gift card! Click here to request 25 FREE copies of PASA's Farm & Ranch Excavation Safety Guide. Click the image to view the digital Guide.