HAZARD ASSISTANCE
The goal of the UGS Geologic Hazards Program is to help reduce risk to Utah’s life safety, property, and economy by directly assisting cities, towns, and counties; and providing unbiased scientific information to the public so informed decisions can be made regarding geologic hazards.
Services for Local Governments and Other Agencies
The UGS assists local governments in their planning, zoning, and permitting processes by providing maps, data, and technical geologic outreach.
A Guide for Homebuyers and Real Estate Agents
Before buying land, undeveloped lots/parcels, or homes, it is important to educate yourself on the geologic hazards that may be present and affect the property.
School Site Evaluation and Report Review Services
The UGS provides preliminary school site geologic hazard evaluation and review of consultant prepared geologic related reports for Utah school districts.
Resources for Consultants and Design Professionals
Non-comprehensive resources available to assist those involved with geotechnical, geologic-hazards, and other land-use investigations in Utah.
What Emergency Response Does the UGS Provide?
The UGS Geologic Hazards Program has experienced engineering geologists who are available to provide assistance at any time to local governments and the Utah Department of Emergency Management (UDEM) when a geologic emergency occurs. For particularly significant emergency events, responses are managed from the UGS Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Utah Department of Natural Resources Building in Salt Lake City. The UGS works in conjunction with the state UDEM EOC at the Utah State Capitol, the State Hazards Mitigation Team, various local governments, and other agencies. If mobile phone communication is unavailable, the UGS can use radio communication between the various EOCs and field staff throughout the central Wasatch Front.
When a geology-related emergency occurs, local emergency managers and first responders need clear, unbiased scientific information related to the initial safety of the site. The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is tasked with answering a few questions after a geologic emergency.
- Is the site likely safe for first responders and others to enter and work?
- What geologic information is needed to reduce the risk?
- Is geologic monitoring needed to increase safety?
- Are additional events likely to occur within a short time frame?
- Are other nearby areas at risk from geologic hazards?
After the initial emergency response, local governments are often left with uncertainty regarding the right steps to take for the emergency event over time, how to minimize the impact to residents and others, how to reduce the risk of the current event, and whether other areas are at risk and what can be done to reduce the risk of future events. The UGS provides unbiased geologic advice to local governments and the public after an event to help them make informed decisions on the potential for additional, future events, possible mitigation measures to reduce risk, and on restricting public access to specific areas, if warranted, to protect public safety.
No Utah local governments have engineering geologists experienced with geologic hazards on staff, so the services provided by the UGS are critical during and after geologic hazard events. As a non-regulatory scientific agency, the UGS provides unbiased, objective geologic information to local governments and the public, so informed decisions can be made to protect the public and others from geologic hazards, including life safety, injury, and economic impacts.
Dealing with Geologic Hazard Problems
Parkway Drive GPS monitoring.
For issues such as water uncontrollably seeping into a basement or sidewalks shifting or buckling, the first plan of action is to contact your city or county’s public works, engineering, planning, or development services departments. The problem may be one that these agencies can assist with. If the city or county cannot help you, a geotechnical consultant or consulting firm should be contacted. Many can be found through an online search for “Geologist” or “Geotechnical Engineer.” The home/property owner should contact several consultants to compare cost estimates and quality of services.
Geotechnical consulting firms have engineers and geologists who are trained to identify and mitigate geologic hazards (slope instability, shallow groundwater, and earthquake hazards to list a few). Professionals can recommend and design drainage systems for home foundations and slopes as well as suggest methods to stabilize slopes and reconstruct yards. Geotechnical consultants can also determine if a geologic hazard is localized to your property or part of a larger issue with the potential to affect several pieces of property or a neighborhood. You can verify that any geologists, engineers, and/or contractors you use are licensed in the state of Utah here.
More Information Sources
More Information Sources
Utah Geological Survey
1594 West North Temple
P.O. Box 146100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6100
(801) 537-3300
Salt Lake County Planning
2001 South State Street, Room N3700
Salt Lake City, UT 84190-4200
(801) 468-2061
www.pwpds.slco.org
Utah County Planning
100 East Center Street, Room 3700
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 370-8344
www.co.utah.ut.us
Davis County Planning
Davis County Courthouse, Room 221
Farmington, UT 84025
(801) 451-3278
www.co.davis.ut.us
Tooele County Planning
47 South Main, Room #213
Tooele, UT 84074
(435) 843-3160
www.co.tooele.ut.us/building/planning.htm
Wasatch County Planning
55 S 500 E
Heber City, Utah 84032
(435) 657-3205
www.co.wasatch.ut.us/planning.aspx
Weber County Planning
Weber Center
2380 Washington Blvd., Suite 240
Ogden, UT 84401
(801) 399-8791
www1.co.weber.ut.us
