Is Your Project Farming or Excavation?

If you’re getting ready to begin some significant agricultural work on your property, you may be wondering if you need to call 811.  811 is the “call before you dig” number to request utilities to mark all underground lines, pipes, and dangerous areas.  All states have laws outlining when to contact an official agency like 811 before breaking ground.  In Oregon, you must notify local utilities before conducting excavation activities.  If your work is considered farming or excavation, you may need to contact 811 first.

What constitutes excavation in Oregon?

Oregon laws outline the expectations for notifying local utilities prior to excavating the ground.  According to ORS 757.542, 

“Excavation” means any operation in which earth, rock or other material on or below the ground is moved or otherwise displaced by any means, except sidewalk, road and ditch maintenance less than 12 inches in depth that does not lower the road grade or original ditch flow line. “Excavation” does not include the tilling of soil for agricultural purposes conducted on private property that is not within the boundaries of a recorded right of way or easement for underground facilities.

However, “tilling of soil for agricultural purposes” isn’t entirely clear, and farming activities extend far past simple tilling.  What kind of work could you be performing that may require advance notification?

Examples of farming activities that may require prior notification:

Since the purpose of calling before you dig requirements are to keep you from being injured or killed, it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re conducting activities involving digging or disrupting ground more than 10-12 inches below the surface.  Here are examples of common farming activities where you might be required to contact 811 before beginning your work:

• Fence Building or Repair
• Drain Tilling
• Terracing
• Grading
• Contouring
• Ripping
• Deep Tilling
• Tree and Stump Removal
• Clearing or Grubbing
• Ditch Cleaning and Repair
• Trenching
• Augering
• Installing Cattle Guards, Dams, or Dugouts
• Trenching Water Lines from a Well to a Stock Tank
• Burying Livestock
• Maintaining, Building, or Repairing Roads

Take the stress out of your farming or excavation work with Excavation Oregon.

Excavation Oregon is your local professional for all your excavation needs.  If you’re not sure where to start with a land-moving project or you’d rather have experts deal with all the legal requirements, let our teams take care of it from start to finish. 

We have all the right tools and equipment for the job.  You’ll rest easy knowing your excavation crew is licensed, bonded, and insured in case anything goes wrong.  We’ll sort through all the red tape that can affect your project and get your job completed swiftly and economically.  Call us today, and schedule a free estimate for the work.