Safe Digging Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Safe Digging Day

WHEREAS, the underground utility infrastructure in Virginia provides vital services to the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, these underground utility lines are placed at risk of damage every time someone digs near the facilities; and

WHEREAS, each year, the Commonwealth and the country's underground utility infrastructure is jeopardized by unintentional damage caused by those who fail to call 811 to have underground lines located prior to digging; and

WHEREAS, the potential consequences of failing to call 811 include possible service interruption, damage to the environment, personal injury, and even death; and

WHEREAS, designated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2005, 811 provides excavators and homeowners a simple number to reach the Virginia 811 Center to request utility line locations at the intended dig site; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Corporation Commission and Virginia 811, working with all stakeholders, have developed an effective public education campaign using the “Dig with C.A.R.E., Keep Virginia Safe” message to increase awareness regarding safe digging practices; and

WHEREAS, the “Dig with C.A.R.E., Keep Virginia Safe” message encourages those who excavate to call Virginia 811, allow the required time for marking the underground utility lines and excavate carefully;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize August 11, 2023, as SAFE DIGGING DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations