State Geologist and Malibu Coast Fault Zone Study

The Times Nov. 1 story regarding the Malibu Fault contains false allegations regarding my professional integrity, stating that I am “acting unethically and against the interests of Malibu area residents.”

These allegations were attributed to Dr. Vince Cronin, who has refuted them in conversations with reporter Kenneth Reich and myself.

The state Department of Conservation is carefully mapping the Malibu Fault System to determine the potential for ground rupture during a future earthquake. Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones will be established in locations where our mapping identifies a likelihood that rupture could damage structures if they were situated directly on the fault. State law requires that local governments enforce setback of proposed construction away from any fault strands that have been determined likely to rupture.

I wish to assure your readers that, contrary to the Nov. 1 article, neither politics, economics nor hidden agendas play a role in the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone mapping conducted by the Department of Conservation.

The state report containing our conclusions on existing fault zones will be released by early 1993. At that time, I plan to present these conclusions to the Malibu City Council, and I will be open to any comments or questions they may have.

The Department of Conservation will then consider the information and interpretations received during a 90-day comment period required by law before the maps are finalized and used in local building permit decisions. This process for data exchange and discussion is the optimal method for serving the public in the most balanced, accurate and ethical manner possible.

In addition to the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone Mapping, which addresses fault rupture, the Department of Conservation is initiating Seismic Hazard Zoning to identify areas where liquefaction, earthquake-induced landslides and implication of ground shaking will require special studies. Taken together these zones should require earthquake-resistant designs for construction in hazardous areas.

I hope The Times will report responsibly on our report when it is complete. We are committed to ensuring safe and prudent identification of seismically active zones in California. False newspaper accounts only serve to cause unjust fear and distrust among your readers and the residents of California.

JAMES P. DAVIS

Sacramento

Davis is the state geologist.