§ 2-387. Statement of findings and purpose.

(a)

The County Council finds that there exists within the County thousands of miles of underground utility lines; and that many more are laid throughout the County each year. In addition, an equally large number of construction and excavation projects are initiated on public and private spaces, such as: road construction, erection of buildings and developments, repairs and relocation of overhead utility line poles, site grading, installation of road signs and other instances. The Council further finds that with greater congestion, the present trend in community planning and development is directed toward the installation of all types of utility services beneath the ground. These factors in combination result in the frequent exposure of existing underground utility lines to breaks or rupturing in the underground conduits and related facilities including pipe or cable.

(b)

The Council further finds and declares that as a result of its inquiry into the substantial numbers of breaks or rupturing to utility lines, and the causes therefor, that there exists a serious threat to human life and property which demands immediate legislative action, and that it is in the clear public interest to prescribe certain remedial measures so as to prevent the interruption of vital utility services necessary to communications, the furnishing of gas and electricity, and water and sewer services; and more particularly to prevent the ignition and explosion of natural gas.

(CB-6-1973)