WHEREAS, each year, North Carolina’s underground utility infrastructure is jeopardized by unintentional damage done by those who failed to call 811 before digging, causing service interruption, damage to the environment, personal injury, and, in some cases, even death; and
WHEREAS, by calling the North Carolina 811 Center to request utility line location, individuals throughout our state can help to reduce damages and improve efficiency of our communities' infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina 811 Center performs a public service by offering free assistance to all businesses and residents in North Carolina through education about safe digging practices, and by providing a convenient means of communications between the excavating public and member utilities; and
WHEREAS, excavators and individuals can save time and money by calling 811 in advance of any project, waiting the required amount of time, respecting the marked lines by maintaining visual definition throughout the course of the excavation, and digging with care; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins the North Carolina 811 Center in encouraging all parties to know what's below, cal1 811 before you dig for safer and stronger communities across our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April, 2022, as “SAFE DIGGING MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.