A Jamestown construction company is facing $17,000 in fines for violating North Dakota’s “call before you dig” law.
Seven complaints were filed with the North Dakota Public Service Commission against Northern Excavating. Reservation Telephone Company made the complaints, after service was disrupted in the Ross, North Dakota area. Reservation Telephone says copper and fiber optic lines were cut.
"This is, without question, the largest set of fines that have been proposed by the advocacy staff," said PSC Chairman Brian Kalk. He says normally, PSC staff contact companies that violated the “one call” law – and settlements have been reached.
"But this is the first case where, from my perception, the company has dug their heels in, and have not given up anything," said Kalk.
A formal hearing will be held on all those complaints. PSC staffers are also look at other violations by the same company.