1. Pipeline Maps a tool for local government and the public
Raymond Paul
Association of Oil Pipe Lines

2. AOPL on Public Access to NPMS
“We believe it is time that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Transportation Security Administration re-establish public access to the National Pipeline Mapping System and determine what non-sensitive information already submitted by pipeline operators to PHMSA may be made available to the public.”
Association of Oil Pipe Lines, to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines, March 16, 2006.

3. NPMS is valuable because…
Pipeline industry wants the public to know where pipelines are in order to:
prevent excavation damage
help the public report abnormal occurrences
limit encroachment
facilitate planning development to avoid pipeline rights of way.

4. NPMS is valuable because…
Maps are an excellent communications tool:
viewer is able to see the pipeline as a real facility in recognizable geography
attributes of the pipeline can be correlated with location (example: types of permits required for pipeline repair by location; emergency response details by location)
a picture is worth a thousand words

5. NPMS is valuable because…
PHMSA can use maps to provide information about pipelines
primary responsibility for providing information lies with government
data and information are official
all pipelines participate at appropriate level
commercial and security concerns addressed

6. NPMS is not the only source of pipeline location information
Anyone can determine pipeline location with
Pennwell maps
in Texas, the Texas Railroad Commission website
Locally, look for required line markers
Use the state one-call system
Google and Yahoo maps and aerial photographs

7. Restore public access to NPMS
Pipeline location information is available
Added risk is small
Benefits are large
Damage prevention
Preventing encroachment
Planning development
Communicating with the public

8. Contact AOPL
Raymond Paul