Safe Digging Month 2026

WHEREAS, each year, Alaska's underground utility infrastructure is jeopardized by unintentional damage by those who fail to have underground facilities located prior to excavation; and

WHEREAS, the consequences of damage to buried facilities can include service interruption, damage to the environment and personal property, personal injury and even death; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission designated 811 as the national Call-Before-You-Dig number that helps prevent excavation accidents, providing one simple number to reach your local One Call Center to request underground facility locations at the intended dig site; and

WHEREAS, Alaska Digline has also established an underground facility location request process through its website, www.811ak.com/; and

WHEREAS, safe digging is a shared responsibility. Through education of safe digging practices, we can prevent damage to underground utility infrastructure and ensure public safety by making a simple underground facility location request or by calling 811 before any digging project, waiting the required time and respecting the marked lines by maintaining visual definition throughout the course of the excavation.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as:

Safe Digging Month

in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to follow and spread awareness about safe digging practices.

Dated: April 1, 2026