Deep tillage, waterway projects, new fencing or other farm jobs might be taking place or there might be plans in place for next spring.

However, before you get started, consider whether these activities could require the need to notify Iowa One Call at 800-292-8989 or Missouri One Call at 800-344-7483 (DIG-RITE) before digging or excavation.

This call sets into motion a process resulting in the marking of underground facilities, known as underground utility lines, with colored flags and paint markings, indicating where people should avoid digging.

“The One Call is in place to help protect people and the underground facilities we have in place,” says Ben Booth, public relations coordinator for Iowa One Call.

“It’s not only a safety measure, but Iowa law requires that any person, homeowner, professional, public or private entity, planning to engage in any form of excavation within the state of Iowa, must notify the Iowa One Call notification system at least 48 hours prior to excavating.”

“Farmers often claim to know where a pipeline is located and how deep it is, but they do not take into consideration that landscaping and erosion can change the depth of these facilities,” says Dave Jones, operations manager with Missouri One Call.

*

Missouri law requires any person making or beginning any excavation to notify all underground facility owners/operators, who may be affected by the excavation, at least two but not more than 10 working days in advance, except in the case of an emergency.

Iowa law

In Iowa, usual farming activities, such as plowing, cultivation, planting, harvesting and similar operations that do not penetrate more than 15 inches into the soil are not considered to be excavations.

However, several other farm tasks are considered to be excavations and require the Iowa One Call notification.

Chisel plowing, sub-soiling or ripping more than 15 inches in depth, drain tile excavating, terracing, digging or driving a new fence post in a new location are examples of excavations that require notification.

Repairing a fence in its existing location does not require the One Call notification.

“The 15-inch rule is an often overlooked or a misinterpreted requirement,” says Booth. “It applies only to farming operations and has nothing to do with excavations in general. Anything going deeper than 15 inches during fieldwork is not ‘normal farming operations’ and requires contacting Iowa One Call.”

Failing to take the necessary precautions to avoid buried pipelines, telecommunication cables and any other buried facilities could result in potential problems that could harm people or damage facilities.

“For example, if a farmer hits a pipeline, they could cause serious injuries to themselves, create a pipeline leak or cause disruption of service,” says Booth.

“If a farmer hits a fiber optic line, that could result in the disruption of service of the 911 telephone emergency system for that area.”

If an Iowa farmer fails to notify Iowa One Call before excavating, other than the normal farming operations mentioned above, the producer may face civil penalties and be held liable for any damages caused to the buried facilities on his/her property.

Liability exemption for Iowa farmland owners

Booth notes an Iowa farmer who complies with Iowa One Call requirements will not be held responsible for damages to underground facilities if the damage occurred on farmland in the normal course of ag activities.

This exemption does not apply when the owner intentionally damages the underground facility or acts with wanton disregard or recklessness in causing the damage to the underground facility.

“Farmers should take advantage of this exemption in the law by staying compliant with the Iowa One Call requirements,” Booth advises.

“Making the free call to the Iowa One Call notification center at least 48 hours prior to any excavation or farm operations mentioned above is all it takes.”

Missouri law

In Missouri, any excavation in which earth, rock or other material in or on the ground is moved by any means of digging falls under the state’s One Call law. Similar to Iowa, tilling for agricultural or seeding purposes is not considered excavation.

“Farmers need to be aware of the law and make sure they are in compliance,” Jones says.

“It can be a very dangerous or expensive mistake if they do not call.”

Markings

Some utility companies may mark their facilities only up to the termination point, point of attachment or service entrance — not all the way to the farmhouse or other structure.

Iowa law requires facility owners and operators to mark only the portion of the buried facility they own and maintain.

While some facilities may terminate at the farmhouse or other structure, such as electric, telephone and cable TV, some facilities may terminate at a service entrance near the street, point of attachment on a utility pole or other location.

An example may be the gas line that terminates at a meter along the front road of the farm property.

Farmers are urged to consult the law for each state to ensure they are in compliance.

To read the laws or for more information, visit www.mo1call. com or www.iowaonecall.com, or call the phone numbers listed above.