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How to Become a Member Submit a Membership Application
Go to https://www.ms811.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/07/MS811-Membership- Application.pdf, and download the MS811 Membership Application packet. All documents contained in the packet must be completed, signed, and returned to MS811 before membership can be activated. Submit your application to info@ms811.org or by fax (601) 981-9027.
Submit a Service Area Database
Members are required to submit and maintain an accurate service area database with MS811. The service area is a buffered (radius) area or polygon boundary around the geographic locations in which infrastructure exists including lines that run underground or into rivers, lakes, ponds, the gulf, etc. Membership cannot be activated until the service area has been submitted.
Please contact us at (601) 362-4322 or (601) 368-1150 should there be any questions about membership.
What to Expect After Becoming a Member
Membership Fees
Annual billing is in November. The billing is based on the total number of locate request tickets delivered to the member from November 1st of the prior year to October 31st of the current year. The rate per locate request ticket is
set annually based on MS811 operating budget costs.
Locate Request Tickets and Daily Audit Reports
MS811 will transmit a copy of any locate requests that are in or near the member utilities service area database to the email address, FTP, fax, etc. specified by the member. Locate requests
are transmitted as soon as they are processed.
MS811 sends Audit Reports to each member between the hours of midnight and 3:00 am each day. This report lists all the locate request numbers that were sent to the member the day before. The member may request any locate request listed on the audit report not received to be retransmitted.
Service Area Database Updates
Member utilities are required to update their service area database on an annual basis; however, it is recommended
that an update be submitted as soon
as possible when a new line is put in the ground, or an existing line is sold or abandoned. See Service Area Editor (SAE) for information on submitting updates.
Responding to Locate Requests
Upon receiving a locate request the member must investigate the excavation site, mark the approximate location of the infrastructure, and report through the Positive Response Information System (PRIS), the status of the work performed, within the time required (based on the ticket type).
Mark the Excavation Site
Utility/Facility owners must mark
all underground utilities within the proposed excavation area on the locate request using stakes, paint, or other clearly identifiable materials following the current color code standard of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Color Code.
Submit a Locate Request Status to PRIS
See Positive Response Information System (PRIS) for details on submitting locate request status information to PRIS.
Enforcement
Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board (UFDPB)
The purpose of the Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Board (UFDPB) is to enforce the Mississippi Dig Law. The UFDPB is made up of 16 members from different stakeholder groups. Violation fees collected by the UFDPB are used for purposes related to buried utility damage prevention, including, but not limited to, public awareness programs, training and education programs for excavators, operators, line locators, and other persons to reduce the number and severity of violations of the law.
Alleged Violation Reporting (AVR)
The enforcement process is complaint driven. The process for filing a complaint against an alleged violator is to submit an Alleged Violation Report (AVR).
The AVR tool can be accessed by going to www.msdamageprevention.com and clicking on “AVR” near the bottom
of the page. Read the Disclaimer displayed, then click “I agree”. This will take you to the AVR form. Fill out the form completely including proper documentation, then click “Submit” at the bottom of the form.
An investigation will be made
in accordance with the rules of
the enforcement board. The executive committee will make a determination based on the findings of the investigation and a citation outlining the penalty will be mailed if appropriate.
Go to www.msdamageprevention.com to learn more about the law and the rules governing the enforcement program.
Violation Penalties
Any person, whether excavator or operator, who violates the Mississippi Dig Law or the rules or regulations promulgated in the law, shall be subject to a civil penalty as follows:
• 1st violation, the violator will be required to complete a training course;
• 2nd violation (occurring within 5 years), the violator must complete a training course or pay a civil penalty in an amount set by the executive committee, not to exceed $ 500. per incident, or both;
• 3rd or subsequent violation (occurring within 5 years), the violator must pay a civil penalty in an amount, not to exceed $ 2,500. per incident; and
• Notwithstanding, if the violation(s) are deemed to be gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct
as determined by the executive committee, the violator will be required to complete a training course and pay a civil penalty in
an amount set by the executive committee, not to exceed $5,000. per incident.
• Any person required to complete a training course will be responsible for the cost of the training.
• For those instances in which training is ordered, if the person is a firm, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, department, or subdivision
16 • Mississippi 811 2024, Issue 3