https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961030 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 09:41:50 GMT Thu, 24 Sep 2015 19:46:06 GMT Copyright © 2015 Oklahoma Society of Land Surveyors https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961030 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961030 CALL OKIE?

We are trying to assess if any of our members are having issues?]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2014 22:59:40 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961109 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961109 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 03:02:37 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961111 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961111
Public Utilities are a constant frustration. However, USIC is becoming increasingly difficult as well. Most of the locators seem to have the mentality that because we're not digging, it isn't worth their time.

Kudos to all the guys and gals marking the private oil and natural gas lines. Their reliability and diligence is much appreciated. I wish the other utility companies would take note and manage their assets the way they do.

Marcus Heilman, PLS, GISP]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 03:05:44 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961112 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961112
If I make the call myself I always prevaricate and tell them there will be subsurface activity, bore holes. It's a far stretch to call digging up a pin a bore hole, but it works.

One of my clients is one of the larger utility companies in Central Oklahoma. They actually make the initial contact and provide me with the locate number....we still have trouble getting them out there within their stated time limit. I believe the locate personnel pay more attention to active sites where there is or will be excavation, as opposed to design sites.

While aggravating I'm thinking they are probably doing the best they can. I would rather them pay attention to the active excavation jobs than to have someone hit a HP gas line while they're out marking a phone line for my topo.

It has always been tough to get utilities marked and probably will continue to be a problem.]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 03:06:12 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961228 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961228
For the last year or more we have been getting no response on our request, Okie will issue a second
request and it also is ignored, Our firm works mostly in the east half of the State and this problem is the same throughout.
At times a partial locate is done and never completed, in the processing of the project data we may not
know that any other lines exist and feel we have completed the job, later to be told that are surveys show only a portion of the utilities, this has cost a recent client at a local VA hospital down time and money to redesign a part of a project.. I am Glad you are working on this problem.]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 14:14:06 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961285 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961285
I understand from the people doing the actual locates that there have been cut backs and they are feeling a bit overwhelmed with what they are being given as a work load. Also, they are required to address actual digs before design surveys, so our request could be pushed back indefinitely if digs keep jumping to the front of the line.

It does get a little frustrating, because our design clients get annoyed for not showing those utilities, like we have a magic wand that says where all public and private utilities are located. Luckily, it does seem that the oil pipeline people are pretty diligent at marking their lines regardless.

So, I think everyone on both sides of the are irritated with the situation. I'm not sure if other states are having the same issues. I am not sure how the situation is alleviated unless USIC hires more people and spreads out the work load.]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 16:25:41 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961310 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961310 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 17:37:46 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961378 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961378 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:49:12 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961416 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=961416
Everybody needs to check out the IOWA one call site!  They got a great system going on up there!  I recently did a survey in Iowa and needed utilities marked.  Not only do they mark the utilities for you, they give you ALL the contact numbers for the various utility operators in your area so that you can call and request plans! ]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2014 21:02:31 GMT https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1148265 https://www.osls.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1148265
Jerry West, from OKIE811 attended the OSLS Annual Convention earlier this year and took a lot of input from the OSLS membership as to what was happening with regard to survey locate requests. Jerry took those concerns, along with concerns from Engineers in the State back to the OKIE811 Board and Operating Committee and they have made some changes in order to hopefully alleviate the problem.

The OKIE811 Operating Board released the following announcement

Effective October 1, the work type of “Survey” will be removed from our locate request system. For those that need lines located for planning projects, instead of “Survey” as your work type, you will need to specify the type of excavation that is being planned. For example, if you are requesting lines be located so you can decide where to install sewer lines, then you will specify "sewer" as your work type. If you’re unsure about the work type, then specify "Other”.
By no longer having a “work type” called “Survey”, the utility locate sub-contractor will not be able to place those requests on a lower priority as they have been doing in the past.

The type of request will now solely be based on the type of work you are doing or planning. Some of the work types that you will likely now be using are (only a partial list)

• Drainage
• Sewer
• Water
• New Construction
• Road Construction
• Other

List of Utility Companies Only

The process for obtaining a list of subscribing utility companies without having them marked has not changed. On the OKIE811 website (www.callokie.com) Click on “Excavators” then “Types of Utility Locates” or Click this direct link http://www.callokie.com/excavators/types-of-locate-requests At the bottom of that page there is a section called “Design Work – List of Companies Only”

Fill in the information requested and submit the request. The legal description only needs to include the ¼ Section, Section, Township and Range (not the entire legal description)

OKIE811 also has a really nice mobile app for both Android or iPhone devices. It can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or the Google play Store by searching OKIE811
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