III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 137 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 24, 2017 

Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. NELSON, Mrs. FISCHER, and Mr. BOOKER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

MAY 2, 2017 

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging 

Month. 

Whereas each year, the underground utility infrastructure of 

the United States, including pipelines, electric, gas, telecommunications, water, sewer, and cable television lines, 

is jeopardized by unintentional damage caused by those 

who fail to have underground lines located prior to 

digging; 

Whereas some utility lines are buried only a few inches underground, making the lines easy to strike, even during 

shallow digging projects; 

Whereas digging prior to locating underground utility lines 

often results in unintended consequences, such as service 


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SRES 137 ATS 

interruption, environmental damage, personal injury, and 

even death; 

Whereas the month of April marks the beginning of the peak 

period during which excavation projects are carried out 

around the United States; 

Whereas in 2002, Congress required the Department of 

Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission to establish a 3-digit, nationwide, toll-free number to be used by State ‘‘One Call’’ systems to provide 

information on underground utility lines; 

Whereas in 2005, the Federal Communications Commission 

designated ‘‘811’’ as the nationwide ‘‘One Call’’ number 

for homeowners and excavators to use to obtain information on underground utility lines before conducting excavation activities; 

Whereas ‘‘One Call’’ has helped reduce the number of digging 

damages caused by failure to call before digging from 48 

percent in 2004 to 26 percent in 2013; 

Whereas the 1,700 members of the Common Ground Alliance, who are dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services, promote the national ‘‘Call Before You Dig’’ campaign to increase public awareness about the importance of homeowners and excavators calling 811 to find out the exact 

location of underground lines; 

Whereas the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job 

Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–90; 125 Stat. 

1904) affirmed and expanded the ‘‘One Call’’ program by 

eliminating exemptions given to local and State government agencies and their contractors regarding notifying 

‘‘One Call’’ centers before digging; and 


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SRES 137 ATS 

Whereas the Common Ground Alliance has designated April 

as ‘‘National Safe Digging Month’’ to increase awareness 

of safe digging practices across the United States and to 

celebrate the anniversary of 811, the national ‘‘Call Before You Dig’’ number: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 

3 Safe Digging Month; and 

4 (2) encourages all homeowners and excavators 

5 throughout the United States to call 811 before 

6 digging. 

Æ 


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