Hazardous Liquid pipelines that cross navigable waters must be inspected as required by 49 CFR 195.412(b). However, this regulation does not provide a definition of navigable waters. In several interpretation letters, the DOT Office of Pipeline Safety has consistently referred to the US Coast Guard definition of navigable waters as contained in 33 CFR Subpart 2.05. In short, navigable waters include the territorial seas, tidally influenced internal waters, and non-tidally influenced waters that "are or have been used, or are or have been susceptible for use, by themselves or in connection with other waters, as highways for substantial interstate or foreign commerce, notwithstanding natural or manmade obstructions that require portage". Unfortunately, that still leaves a lot of room for individual interpretation. To get the definitive answer, you must refer to 33 CFR Subpart 2.10, which states that each Coast Guard District maintains a list of navigable waters. These lists are maintained in the District Offices, and are generally not available on-line.

Acquiring a pipeline?

RCP can provide due diligence audits to help you ensure that potential compliance issues have been addressed before the sale is final.