A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 136 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES APRIL 2, 2019 Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. FISCHER, and Ms. DUCKWORTH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation APRIL 11, 2019 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, tele- communications, 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 un- derground, 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:50 Apr 11, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR136.ATS SR136 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 SRES 136 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 Com- mission to establish a 3-digit, nationwide, toll-free num- ber 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 informa- tion on underground utility lines before conducting exca- vation activities; Whereas the 1,700 members of the Common Ground Alli- ance, who are dedicated to ensuring public safety, envi- ronmental protection, and the integrity of services, pro- mote the national ‘‘Call Before You Dig’’ campaign to in- crease public awareness about the importance of home- owners 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 govern- ment agencies and their contractors regarding notifying ‘‘One Call’’ centers before digging; and 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:50 Apr 11, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR136.ATS SR136 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 SRES 136 ATS celebrate the anniversary of 811, the national ‘‘Call Be- fore You Dig’’ number: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 2 Safe Digging Month; and 3 (2) encourages all homeowners and excavators 4 throughout the United States to call 811 before 5 digging. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:50 Apr 11, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR136.ATS SR136 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS