Page 84 - BCCGA Best Practices Version 3.0

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acceptable before starting the excavation. The utility owner may have certain
procedures and operating criteria that the ground disturber needs to follow.
As utility owners have differing views on safe excavating practices, they all
recognize the benefits of damage prevention. However, it may be necessary for
utility owners to work together to establish a common set of standards,
processes, and procedures that all damage prevention stakeholders can accept
and adopt.
4-33 PROTECTION OF SURVEY INFRASTRUCTURE
PRACTICE STATEMENT: Every ground disturber is responsible for recognizing
and ensuring the integrity of survey infrastructure.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Every ground disturber should recognize the
importance of not disturbing monumented boundaries. Utility infrastructure
must be installed to avoid disturbing survey infrastructure. Survey
infrastructure may include iron bars, iron pipes, wood posts, cut stone
monuments, rock mounds, rock bars and building corners.
REFERENCES:
1. Because of their significance, survey monuments are protected by both
federal and provincial law.
The Criminal Code of Canada R.S. 1985, c. C-46 under Part XI, Sec. 442 and 443
states, “Everyone who wilfully pulls down, defaces, alters or removes anything
planted or set up as the boundary line or part of the boundary line of land is
guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.”
2. Petroleum and Natural Gas Act (British Columbia)
3. Geophysical Exploration Regulation, Section 7- Survey monuments (British
Columbia)
4-34 EXCAVATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY
PRACTICE STATEMENT: Excavations are performed safely.
Best Practices Version 3.0