Engineering Geology at the Local Government Level: Planning, Review, and Enforcement

City and county governments are increasingly using geologic data and interpretation in land-use decisions. Local governments in at least five states have hired City or County Geologists to supplement State Geological Survey support for land-use planning, development review, and ordinance enforcement. Geologic input to long range land-use planning occurs within local Master Plans and Policy Plans. Agency review of pre-development geotechnical reports is becoming more common and more crucial, as local governments require more detailed data, and as projects involving marginal lands become more expensive. Ordinances regulating land-use activity in geologic hazard or mineral resource areas, typically written by non-geologists, often mandate special geologic investigations or restrict development options. Consultants should become more aware of the planning, review, and ordinance enforcement processes within local governments. The author draws upon his experience as County Geologist of metropolitan Jefferson County, Colorado, to describe the internal processing of geologic data within a local government.