1. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
THE ALQUIST PRIOLO EARTHQUAKE FAULT ACT AS A MODEL FOR OTHER HAZARD LOSS REDUCTION ACTIONS
James F. Davis, former CA State Geologist,
Earl W. Hart, former Manager of AP Zoning Program,
Richard J. McCarthy, Director CA Seismic Safety Commission,
John G. Parrish, CA State Geologist
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
ANNUAL MEETING
Denver, CO
October 30, 2007
Session T80

2. PURPOSE OF PAPER
To Generically Outline Components Of An Effective Land-Use Zoning Program To Reduce Losses From Geologic Hazards As A Model For Other Programs
Photo by W. A. Bryant

3. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
COMPONENTS OF SUCCESSFUL LAND-USE ZONING PROGRAM
Clearly Defined Objective Of Zoning Program
Unambiguous Criteria For Defining Zones
Geologic Investigations To Define Zones
Responsible Party To Establish Zones
Define Responsibilities Of All Other Parties In Administering Program
Define System Of Accountabilities And Sanctions Necessary To Assure Compliance With Regulations

4. LESSONS LEARNED DURING 35-YEAR SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION OF THE AP ZONING ACT
IDENTIFICATION OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT FAVOR ENACTMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS LAND-USE ZONING PROGRAMS
BENEFITS OF LAND-USE REGULATION OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS – AP ACT AS A MODEL

5. SUCCESSFUL ZONING COMPONENT #1 CLEARLY DEFINED OBJECTIVE OF GEOLOGIC HAZARD ZONING PROGRAM
The Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Program Is Established To Avoid Placing Structures For Human Occupancy On Traces Of Active Surface Faults Where Ground Rupture Can Cause Property Losses And Casualties
The Placement Of Structures Off Of Active Faults Is The Only Practical Mitigation Measure

6. SUCCESSFUL ZONING COMPONENT #2 UNAMBIGUOUS CRITERIA FOR DEFINING GEOLOGIC HAZARD ZONES
AP Active Fault Zones Boundaries Are:
Delineated to Have Outer Boundaries ~500 Feet from Identified Trace of Active Fault with Evidence of Displacement During Last ll,000 Years
Issued on 1:24,000 Scale USGS Topographic Maps with Turning Points in Zone Boundaries at Locatable Features on Map

7. SUCCESSFUL ZONING COMPONENT #3 GEOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS TO DEFINE ZONES
Use Of Data From Previous Investigations Including Surface And Subsurface Examinations
Use Of Signature Characteristics Of Active Faults From Aerial Photography And Other Remote Methods
Detailed On Ground Geologic Mapping

8. SUCCESSFUL ZONING COMPONENT #4 RESPONSIBLE PARTY TO ESTABLISH ZONES
AP Zoning Act Designates The California State Geologist And The California State Geological Survey To Prepare AP Zone Maps
The Zones Are Approved Officially For Land-Use Regulation By The Gubernatorially Appointed California Mining And Geology Board Which Advises The State Geologist

9. INDEX TO AP EARTHQUAKE FAULT ZONE MAPS
(1974 – 2007)
547 Earthquake Fault Zone Maps issued as of 9/1/2007
36 Counties and 104 Cities affected
Sacramento
Los
Angeles
San
Francisco

10. Earthquake Fault Zone Map
Official
Earthquake Fault Zone Map
Niles Quadrangle

11. OFFICIAL EARTHQUAKE FAULT ZONE MAP
Niles Quadrangle

12. SUCCESSFUL ZONING COMPONENT #5 DEFINE RESPONSIBLITIES OF ALL OTHER PARTIES IN ADMINSTERING ZONING PROGRAM *
CA State Geologist & CGS Staff Issue Maps
CA Mining And Geology Board Hold Public Hearings On Maps And Adopt Them Officially For Regulation *
* Under The AP Zoning Act All Geological Evaluations Must Be Done By CA Licensed Or Certified Geologists

13. COMPONENT #5 Continued
Before Local Governments Can Consider Developments (>4 Units) In AP Zones They Must Require Developers To Do Onsite Evaluation Of The Hazards Present
Developers Submit Investigations To Local Governments Showing Proposed Structures Away From Hazard
Local Governments Review The Development Proposals And Elected Governing Body Makes Decisions on Land Use
An Appeals Process Exists
Realtors & Owners Must Disclose To Prospective Buyers That Their Structures Are Within AP Zones
Local Governments Must File All On Site Geologic Reports With CA State Geologist * *
* Under The AP Zoning Act All Geological Evaluations Must Be Done By CA Licensed Or Certified Geologists

14. Property Owners Developers
ALQUIST-PRIOLO ACT
- RESPONSIBILITIES -
Adopts Mandated Policies
Receives Review Comments
Provides Technical Advice
State Mining & Geology Board
Evaluates Faults
Designates Earthquake Fault Zones
Provides Advisory Services
State Geologist
Requires Site Investigations
Updates General Plans
Reviews and Approves Projects
Applies For Waivers
Cities & Counties
Determines Hazard at Site
Avoids Hazard
Discloses
Property Owners Developers 14

15. ALQUIST-PRIOLO ACT - RESPONSIBILITIES - STATE GEOLOGIST
- Zones -
MINING & GEOLOGY BOARD
- Policies & Criteria -
CITIES and COUNTIES
- Implementation - 15

16. SUCCESSFUL ZONING COMPONENT #6 ROBUST SYSTEM OF PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND SANCTIONS
All Geologists Involved in AP Are Subject to License Loss and Financial Liability for Misfeasance or Malpractice *
CA State Geologist & CGS Staff
CA Mining & Geology Board & Staff – Licensing And Political Consequences *
* Geologist Involvement

17. COMPONENT #6 Continued *
Geologic Consultants &/Or Geologic Staff Of Developers And Local Governments
Developers Loss Of License, Voiding Of Approvals, Financial Liability
Elected Local Governing Boards, Political Consequences And Financial Liabilities
Realtors Loss Of License And Financial Liabilities
Owners, Voiding Of Sale And Financial Liabilities
* Geologist Involvement

18. LESSONS LEARNED DURING 35-YEAR SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION OF THE AP ZONING ACT
Importance Of Internal Consistency In Establishing AP Zones – No Successful Suits Brought Against CGS And CA Mining & Geology Board
Professional Licensing Of Geologists Assures Capable & Objective Assessments in Private and Public Sectors

19. LESSONS LEARNED Continued
Required Communication Between CGS & CA Mining & Geology Board And Local Governments Has Many Collateral Benefits -- State Is Trusted Source Of Other Geologic Information, Local Awareness Of Geologic Hazards Within Their Jurisdictions
State Agency Awareness Of The Necessary Components Of Successful Land-Use Regulation Of Geologic Hazards
Geologic Community Aware Of How To Use Future Opportunities To Enable Passage Of Additional Future Land-Use Regulation Of Geologic Hazards

20. IDENTIFICATION OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT FAVOR ENACTMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS LAND-USE ZONING PROGRAMS
Capability Of Identifying Circumstances That Create Key Opportunities For Successful Legislation
These Are Usually Based On Briefly Heightened Public Awareness Of Hazard That Justifies The Establishment Of Land-Use Regulation Program

21. Plan To Mobilize Geologic Community To Action When Opportunities Arise
OPPORTUNITIES for ENACTMENT Continued
Pre-opportunity Development Of Consensus Within The Geologic Community Regarding Approach, Content And Value Of Contemplated Land-Use Regulation
Pre-opportunity Identification Of Key Legislative Sponsor(s) Through Dialog With The Geologic Community In Advance Of Opportunities
Plan To Mobilize Geologic Community To Action When Opportunities Arise
Frequent High Quality Communications By The Geologic Community to the Public and Decision Makers Before Public-Awareness Based Opportunities Develop

22. BENEFITS OF LAND-USE REGULATION OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS – AP ACT AS A MODEL
Long Term Investment In Avoiding Losses Due To Surface Rupture
Systematic Identification Of Recency Of Surface Faulting Throughout State Expands Overall Knowledge Of Earthquake Vulnerability (Earthquake Probabilities Estimates, Size Of Potential Events, Placement & Design of Lifelines, and Input to Applied & Academic Investigations)

23. 4. BENEFITS Continued
Successful Administration Of AP Act Enable Passage Of Other Legislation – CA Seismic Hazards Zoning Act
Greater Public And Local Government Awareness Of Geologic Hazards And Their Consequences
Greater Awareness Of Geologic Hazards Within The Realtor And Developers Communities

24. CONCLUSIONS
The Outlined Components Of The AP Act Are Essential To Successful Administration Of Any Effective Program Of Land-Use Regulation Of Geologic Hazards
State-wide Programs Are Desirable
Establishment Of Hazard Zone Maps By State Geological Survey Is Desirable
Coordination Of Activities With A Central Land-Use State Planning Agency (If One Exists) Is Desirable
Inclusion Of Local Government Land-Use Decision Makers And Regulators Participation In The Zoning Process Is Essential
Successful Enactment Of Hazard Land-Use Regulation Requires Consensus Among All Of The Stake Holders In The Geologic Professional Community Prior To Passage

25. DAMAGE TO RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE
1992 Mw 7.3 LANDERS EARTHQUAKE
Photo by W. A. Bryant

26. FOUNDATION DAMAGE LANDERS EARTHQUAKE
Photo by E. Hart
Photo by D. Murbach 26