Page 14 - AR811

Be on the Lookout for the New Global 811 Magazine in 2025
12 • Arkansas 811 Magazine
2024, Issue 4
Iwas recently told that people needed to be reminded of things more than they needed to be
told things. I expect that is true. Next year, I will celebrate 50 years in this industry we often refer to as the damage prevention and/or public safety industry.
I think it would be safe to say that if
we followed what we were taught 25 or 30 years ago, we’d know enough to do
a much better job than what is being done today. Way back then, it was all about the same issues that I hear about today. “We need more accurate maps” is not a new concept, just the technology to make it happen. “Hey, call me before you start to dig, and I’ll come out there and help you find my line” was what we said before 811. Now the generations who have followed the examples of those who refused to communicate or cooperate with other stakeholders often still are not calling.
Enforcement has had some impact
but there are times it requires more than an enforcement law on the books. Recently, a citation was sent to someone for failing to call 811 before digging and the response was “he didn’t have to call every time because he did this every day.” He was a professional and I was an idiot. I thought to myself that is a
lot like saying “Amateurs built the ark and professionals built the Titanic.” Enforcement is not effective unless
the violation is addressed within a reasonable and specific period of time and then has final resolution so that the violator understands the consequences of not following the rules of safe digging.
Thanks to all of you who have emailed me or provided feedback about this publication. I want to share with you that this issue is the last issue of the Arkansas 811 Magazine, but we have exciting news to share. Although it
has been extremely rewarding to our team and hopefully highly informative to you, the Arkansas 811 Magazine
is transforming into the Global 811 Magazine beginning with the first quarter of 2025. We believe the new magazine will be more comprehensive and will provide comparative information about the 811 centers who support the magazine and their efforts to prevent damage within their states. Additionally, we will have national and international articles in the new magazine, all designed to inspire us as to what is being done to better protect our vital underground infrastructure.
I am certainly no prophet, and do not consider myself to be a negative thinker. With BEAD money said to be in the billions of dollars in each state, coupled with the millions or billions of dollars invested by private firms over the next
3 to 5 years, it is not likely that damage to underground lines will decrease, but rather will follow the already alarming trend of increasing.
The trend line has followed this practice, the more tickets called in, the more excavation. The more excavation, the more damage. I am not sure what magic dust will change that trend.
I look forward to continuing our relationship in the Global 811 Magazine!
See you next March and be safe!