811 Hot Air Balloon

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Created: Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:09

Written by Lareina Taing

In 2017, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) partnered with Cox Utility Services to fund an 811 Hot Air Balloon to travel across the country during the busy excavating season to promote the underground utility damage prevention message to all potential excavators. The balloon kicked off its journey in Sacramento, California on April 1st, the first day of national safe digging month, with a stop in Richmond, Virginia on 811 Day (August 11th), amongst other cities.

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2017 GSOC Annual Report

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Created: Friday, 06 April 2018 12:41

Written by Taylor Jones

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Gopher State One Call (GSOC) receiving the first locate request in Minnesota. A lot of change, innovation, and stakeholder cooperation has occurred over these past 30 years. It is my pleasure to provide you with the GSOC results during 2017 and what GSOC is planning for 2018. First, thank you to all underground safety stakeholders for partnering in the protection of the underground infrastructure and the citizens of Minnesota. Second, 2017 was another year of increased GSOC ticket volume with 818,217 ticket requests (the third largest in the history of GSOC), and third, GSOC significantly increased investment in public awareness efforts. For 2018, GSOC is forecasting a 5.0% increase in ticket volume and will continue strong public awareness efforts.

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Next GSOC Board Meeting, Monday, April 9th, 2018

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Created: Monday, 02 April 2018 07:00

Written by Gopher State One Call

The next Gopher State One Call Board Meeting is Monday, April 9, 2018 at Breezy Point Resort, Breezy Point, MN. The Open Session of the Board Meeting Starts at 10:00 am. If you plan to attend, please contact Barb Cederberg GSOC COO at 651-681-7303 or at Barbara.cederberg@gopherstateonecall.org.

Private Facilities: Are They On Your Property?

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Created: Wednesday, 07 March 2018 12:58

Written by Lareina Taing

Private underground facilities, also called customer-owned facilities, may be found anywhere, including your excavation site. Chapter 216D requires operators of lines buried in the public right-of-way to register with Gopher State One Call (GSOC), so these lines will be marked as the result of a locate request. Privately-owned facilities, like utility lines that serve heaters for hot tubs, gas barbecues, electric security lighting, invisible dog fences, farm taps, buried sprinklers systems, and many others, are not marked when locators respond to your GSOC request, since they are the owner’s responsibility. Let's take a look at some common types of private underground facilities.

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Minnesota Damage Prevention Meetings 2018

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Created: Tuesday, 20 February 2018 08:53

Written by Lareina Taing

Every year, the Minnesota Common Ground Alliance (MNCGA), the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS), and Gopher State One Call (GSOC) work with local utility coordinating committees to host free damage prevention meetings throughout March and April. These educational meetings review safe digging practices designed to protect our state’s underground infrastructure. They provide important reminders for the excavating public before the spring excavating season begins.

During the meetings, each of the three sponsors focus on different areas. The MNCGA encourages industry stakeholders to join their organization to help raise damage prevention awareness, while GSOC covers any processing changes, updates, and common mistakes or errors made on locate tickets. MNOPS elaborates on case studies, frequent issues found in the field, and excavation rules and regulations in Minnesota.

So far in 2018, there are 25 meetings scheduled across the state, with more to be scheduled in April. Read more to see the dates and locations.

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