Arizona Legislative District 6 Republican Committee

REMINDER: ATTN: CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN WORKERS – pay attention to where you are posting signs. Political Signage in Easements. During this time of year it is not uncommon to see political signage on all corners of many busy intersections. What many people may not know is that placing these signs into the ground is considered excavation by the standard of the AZ State Law Title 40, Chapter 2, Article 6.3, Section 40-360.21.
            The law defines excavation as: “any operation in which earth, rock or other material is moved, replaced or otherwise displaced by means or use of tools, equipment or explosives and includes, without limitation, grading, trenching, digging, ditching, drilling, augering, boring, tunneling, scraping, cable or pipe plowing or driving.”
            Many of the signs have been spotted with sharp spikes directly over gas distribution, telecommunication and power facilities. Often facilities are assumed to be located at a depth greater than the sign will be planted. However many factors influence how deep a facility actually is and the depth should never be assumed. From a safety perspective, planters of political signs must be educated as to the process for having the facilities located prior to placing them into the ground.
            The process is simple, free and the law. It requires that the Arizona Blue Stake Center be notified 2 full business days before the excavation is to take place. A phone call to 602-263-1100 in Maricopa County or dialing 8-1-1 or 1-800-STAKE-IT (782-5348) from anywhere in the state will allow all owners/operators of underground facilities to either locate and mark or let you know there is no conflict with their facilities.
            Making contact with an electric or gas line can cause serious injury. Many times damages to facilities occur without an immediate impact to life or property. However, those damages can create problems years later. The bottom line is the process is easy, the call is free and it is one of the laws that help keep Arizona citizens safe.
            Please educate all of your staff that “plant” those signs to follow this process in advance of their activities. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Louis Panzer - Public Services Manager
Office: 602-659-7504   Cell: 602-617-4177
Louis.panzer@azbluestake.com   www.arizona811.org