Influence of geologic Hazards on legislation in California

Abstract

California has very slowly and perhaps even over-cautiously developed legislation that seeks first, recognition, and next, amelioration or prevention of “geologic hazards”. Early lessons came only through bitter experience. Failure of the San Francisquito dam in 1927 demonstrated the need for geologic evaluation of foundation conditions. Although California had experienced great earthquakes in 1857, 1872, and 1906, not until after the Long Beach earthquake of 1933 did the legislature pass the Field Act, requiring that all new school buildings embody aseismic design. Not until after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake were new hospital buildings included in similar legislation. In 1972, establishment of a Joint Committee on Seismic Safety has led to advanced planning and more sophisticated legislation — requiring, for example, that the State Geologist issue maps delineating active faults, and requiring geologic reports before any development in designated sections. Coincidentally, California has become the first state to require licensing of geologists under a State Registration Board of geologists. Thus California citizens and their legislator have reached a point where they are anticipating geologic hazards, rather than waiting for disaster to bring response. Knowledge of California experience mayallow other states to circumvent learning “the hard way”.