Reps. Accavitti, Ball, Bieda, Brown, Constan, Dean, Gillard, Gonzales, Green, Hammel, Hammon, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hopgood, Robert Jones, Lahti, Mayes, Meadows, Miller, Polidori, Proos, Sak, Spade, Tobocman, Vagnozzi and Ward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 335.

A resolution proclaiming May 2008 as Michigan Safe Digging Month.

            Whereas, The month of May is typically the time when the weather warms up and outside construction activities begin; and

            Whereas, Construction activity can lead to dig-in damages to underground facilities, such as natural gas, electric, cable, telephone, fiber optic, water and sewer lines and pipes located under the ground’s surface.  These incidents have resulted in the loss of property and even serious injury to Michigan’s citizens. In Michigan annually there are about 10,000 recorded incidents of damage to underground facilities; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s two major gas and electric utilities, Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, along with MISS DIG System, Inc., are again partnering this year to educate utility customers and the general public about safe digging and the new Call 811 toll-free national call-before-you-dig phone number.  Designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and officially launched nationwide in 2007, 811 provides potential excavators and homeowners a simple number to reach their local One Call Center and request utility line locations at the intended dig site; and

            Whereas, Through continued education of safe digging practices, excavators and homeowners can save time and money, keeping Michigan safe and connected, by making a simple call to 811 at least three business days in advance of any digging project; waiting the required amount of time; respecting the marked lines by maintaining visual definition throughout the course of the excavation; and finally, digging with care around the marks; and

            Whereas, These excavation projects can be as simple as planting a tree, installing a mailbox post or deck, or as complex as erecting an office building, residential home, and making major road repairs.  Michigan Safe Digging Month is designed to encourage contractors and the general public to call 811 before digging; and

            Whereas, All involved parties agree that safe digging is a shared responsibility. To know what is below, call 811 before you dig.  Safe digging is no accident; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body proclaim May 2008 as Michigan Safe Digging Month.