Services for Local Governments and Other Agencies
The Geologic Hazards Program of the UGS helps provide for public safety in Utah by assisting cities, towns, and counties in dealing with geologic hazards. This assistance includes providing emergency response when a hazardous geologic event occurs as well as assisting in site-specific studies to identify potentially hazardous areas prior to development. UGS assistance before, during, and after geologic-hazard events is essential in helping local governments make informed decisions to protect the public from geologic hazards, including life safety, injury, and economic impacts.
What Assistance does the Utah Geological Survey Provide?
Geologic Hazards Planning Assistance
Assist in planning, zoning, and permit-approval issues by:
- Aiding in preparing master plans and ordinances addressing geologic hazards.
- Preparing maps showing areas subject to geologic hazards (cooperative funding is generally required).
- Reviewing geologic hazards reports for essential public facilities (police and fire stations, water tanks, schools).
Geologic Hazards Response
Respond immediately during and after geologic hazard events and natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, floods, and ground subsidence, to:
- Advise emergency-response officials.
- Assess the nature and extent of the hazard.
- Determine the likelihood for short- and long-term recurrence.
- Assist in assessing risk.
Using Geologic Hazards Information to Reduce Risks and Losses
Wasatch fault (Weber segment) trench investigation.
Many of the geologic processes that shaped Utah’s landscape over the past few million years remain active today. Utah has experienced loss of life and property damage from geologic hazards throughout its history and may expect more in the future. Local governments can reduce both risks and losses if they use geologic hazards information in ordinances and general plans.
Specific procedures adopted by local governments will vary depending on many factors including:
- Types and characteristics of the geologic hazards present
- Availability of geologic hazards maps
- Ability of local government staff, elected/appointed officials, and consultants to understand and use geologic hazards information
- Potential for new development
- Community attitudes toward risk
Costs for study and risk reduction are immediate and measurable. Benefits are long-term and uncertain.
Geologic hazards exist in all types of terrain. Usually, their potential can be identified prior to development and measures can be taken to prevent damage. These measures may include avoiding construction in hazardous areas, engineering buildings and other facilities to withstand the effects of hazards, erecting structures to protect buildings and other facilities from hazards, and grading the site to reduce risks. Hazard mitigation, however, is impossible without hazard recognition. Failure to recognize and do something about geologic hazards prior to development has caused personal tragedy and property loss in Utah.
Who is Liable for Damage?
Building safely in areas with geologic hazards requires extra care and vigilance. Including geologic hazards maps in ordinances and general plans is an important first step, along with requiring investigation of geologic hazards, depending on the site. Investigation results should be used to modify development plans to reduce risk to an acceptable level and identify long-term maintenance needs, resulting in fewer deaths, injuries, private property losses, and costs to taxpayers.
Isurance?
Most policies do not cover damage from geologic hazards.
Few owners purchase appropriate supplemental insurance.
Typically, only flood and earthquake-related hazards are insurable.
Public Agency?
Development approvals and permits were issued.
They are easy to locate and always present.
They are often considered a “deep pocket,” but few local governments have extra funds.
Generally, a public agency is not liable due to governmental immunity and relying on licensed professionals for information.
Private Agencies?
This may include property developers, contractors, designers, or geological consultants.
They are often hard to locate or no longer liable (statute of limitations).
They may be out of business.
Utah Geological Survey Data Submission Requirements
House Bill 384 (Utah Geological Survey Data Submission Amendments) from the 2024 General Session of the Utah Legislature took effect on May 1, 2024, and requires agencies in Utah to submit final geologic, fault hazard, and geotechnical reports received as part of a building or other infrastructure permitting process to the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) within 90 days.
This applies to compliance agencies as defined in Utah Code 15A-1-202(6):
- an agency of the State or any of its political subdivisions which issues permits for construction regulated under the [building] codes, or
- any other agency of the State or its political subdivisions specifically empowered to enforce compliance with the [building] codes.
Submit reports using one of the following methods:
Submitting Paper (Physical) Reports
When submitting a physical paper copy of a report, please mail the report using one of the following methods:
When mailing through the U.S. Postal Service, please send to this address:
Utah Geological Survey
Geologic Report Submission
P.O. Box 146100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6100
When mailing through an alternate delivery service, please send to this address:
Utah Geological Survey
Geologic Report Submission
1594 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
Once the UGS has digitally scanned the report, it can be returned upon request.
