FY 2026 State Damage Prevention

The purpose of the Damage Prevention grants is to establish comprehensive state programs designed to prevent damage to underground pipelines in states that do not have such programs and to improve damage prevention programs in states that do. States are encouraged to implement the following nine elements of an effective damage prevention program: Element 1 ¿ Enhanced Communication between Operators and Excavators Element 2 ¿ Fostering Support and Partnership of all Stakeholders Element 3 ¿ Operator¿s Use of Performance Measures for Locators Element 4 ¿ Partnership in Employee Training Element 5 ¿ Partnership in Public Education Element 6 ¿ Enforcement Agencies¿ Role to Help Resolve Issues Element 7 ¿ Fair and Consistent Enforcement of the Law Element 8 ¿ Use of Technology to Improve the Locating Process Element 9 ¿ Data Analysis to Continually Improve Program Effectiveness