HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 - Hazards Assessment9
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
33� NEWPORT BOULEVARD
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
(949) 644-32- FAX (999) 644-3229
Hearing Date:
Agenda Item No.:
Staff Person:
REPORT TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT- Professional Services Agreement for Hazards Assessment
June 11, 2002
15
Patrick J. Alford
(949) 644 -3235
SUMMARY: A professional services agreement for consulting services to conduct a
study of potential health and safety hazards for the updates of the Local
Coastal Program (LCP) and the General Plan.
ACTION: Approve the professional services agreement with Earth Consultants
International.
Background
SB 516 requires the City to submit a complete application for an LCP to the California Coastal
Commission (CCC) on or before June 30, 2003. In an initial review, the CCC staff stated that
the City needed to provide specific policies to address development in hazardous areas,
including areas subject to flooding, bluff instability, and erosion. In addition, the City is
currently in the process of updating the General Plan. Section 65302 (g) of the Government
Code mandates that the General Plan include a safety element for the protection of the
community from any unreasonable risks.
Analysis
The consultant will research and compile information from existing sources and conduct field
investigations necessary to identify potential public health and safety hazards within the City
of Newport Beach and its sphere of influence. This assessment will serve as the basis for the
update of the hazards section of the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan and Public Safety
Element of the General Plan.
Potential public health and safety hazards include the following:
• Seismic Hazards. Hazards associated with strong ground motion, fault
rapture, liquefaction, earthquake- induced slope instability, and expansive
soils, and other types of seismically induced ground deformation.
■ Flooding and Coastal Hazards. Hazards associated with storm flooding,
tsunamis, seiches, storm waves, high tides, flooding as a result of catastrophic
failure of reservoirs and dams, and sea level rise due to global climate
change.
• Geologic Hazards. Hazards associated with expansive, compressive, and
corrosive soils, slope instability, erosion, naturally occurring oil (tar) seeps,
and naturally occurring methane migration.
• Fire Hazards. Hazards associated with wildland and urban fires.
• Hazardous Materials Management. Hazards associated with the handling,
transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and extremely
hazardous materials, storm drain pollutant control, landfill - produced methane,
and oil field related contamination.
■ Aviation Hazards. Hazards associated with aircraft operations at John Wayne
Airport.
Hazard areas will be identified geographically in a format that can be imported into the
City's CIS system. The consultant will also review and evaluate the adequacy of the City's
existing hazard and public safety policies and programs of the General Plan and Local
Coastal Program Land Use Plan and prepare recommendations for potential revisions.
The project will be conducted in two parts. Priority will be given to the Coastal Zone
hazards, which will be completed prior to August 30, 2002. An assessment of citywide
hazards will be completed by January 31, 2003.
The total not - to-exceed cost of the project is $73,500.00.
Proiect Funding
We anticipate sufficient appropriation savings in the General Fund to cover General Plan
Update expenditures. Council Policy F -2 allows the City Manager to reprogram
appropriations within an individual fund to cover insufficient appropriations in an individual
department. However, if there are not sufficient appropriations to cover this shortfall within
the General Fund by the end of the FY 2001 -02, a formal budget amendment, appropriating
General Fund Reserves to cover this and other General Plan Update expenditures, will be
necessary.
Submitted by:
SHARON Z. WOOD
Assistant City Manager
1. Earth Consultants International proposal.
2. Draft Professional Services Agreement.
Prepared by:
PATRICK J. ALFORD
Senior anner
Hazards Assessment PSA
June 11, 2002
Page 2
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this day of June, 2002, by and between
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, a Municipal Corporation (hereinafter referred to as
"City "), and Earth Consultants International whose address is 2522 North Santiago
Boulevard, Suite B, Orange, California, 92867, (hereinafter referred to as "Consultant'),
is made with reference to the following:
RECITALS
A. City is a municipal corporation duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of the State of California with the power to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted under the statutes of the State of California
and the Charter of City.
B. City intends to conduct research and compile inforrnation from existing
sources and conduct field investigations necessary to identify potential
public health and safety hazards within the City of Newport Beach and its
sphere of influence (hereinafter referred to as "Project').
C. City desires to engage Consultant to conduct professional and technical
services for the Project upon the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement.
D. The principal member of Consultant, are for purpose of this Project, Ms.
Tania Gonzalez.
E. City has solicited and received a proposal from Consultant, has reviewed
the previous experience and evaluated the expertise of Consultant, and
desires to contract with Consultant under the terms of conditions provided
in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned
parties as follows:
1. TERM
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the day of June, 2002 and
shall terminate on the 1st day of June, 2003, unless terminated earlier as set forth
herein.
2. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Consultant shall diligently perform all the duties set forth in the scope of services,
contained in attachment "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
3. COMPENSATION TO CONSULTANT
City shall pay Consultant for the services in accordance with the provisions of
this Section and the scheduled billing rates, contained in the scope of services
contained in attachment "A" and incorporated herein by reference. No rate changes
shall be made during the term of this Agreement without prior written approval of City.
Consultant's compensation for all work performed in accordance with this Agreement
shall not exceed the total contract price of seventy -three thousand, five hundred dollars
($73.500.00). The City Manager shall have the authority to authorize work beyond this
amount, not to exceed 25% of the contract amount.
3.1 Consultant shall maintain accounting records of its billings which includes
the name of the employee, type of work performed, times and dates of all work which is
billed on an hourly basis and all approved incidental expenses including reproductions,
computer printing, postage and mileage.
3.2 Consultant shall submit monthly invoices to City, payable by City within
thirty (30) days of receipt of invoice subject to the approval of City, and based upon
attachment "A ".
3.3 Consultant shall not receive any compensation for extra work without prior
written authorization of City. Any authorized compensation shall be paid in accordance
with such approval.
3.4 City shall reimburse Consultant only for those costs or expenses that have
been specifically approved in this Agreement, or specifically approved in advance by
City. Such cost shall be limited and shall include nothing more than the following costs
incurred by Consultant:
A. The actual costs of sub - consultants for performance of any of the services
which Consultant agrees to render pursuant to this Agreement which have
been approved in advance by City and awarded in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
B. Approved computer data processing and reproduction charges.
C. Actual costs and /or other costs and /or payments specifically authorized in
advance in writing and incurred by Consultant in the performance of this
Agreement.
4. STANDARD OF CARE
4.1 All of the services shall be performed by Consultant or under Consultant's
supervision. Consultant represents that it possesses the professional and technical
personnel required to perform the services required by this Agreement, and that it will
perform all services in a manner commensurate with the community professional
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 2 1
standards. All services shall be performed by qualified and experienced personnel who
are not employed by City nor have any contractual relationship with City. Consultant
represents and warrants to City that it has or shall obtain all licenses, permits,
qualifications and approvals required of its profession. Consultant further represents
and warrants that it shall keep in effect all such licenses, permits and other approvals
during the term of this Agreement.
4.2 Consultant shall not be responsible for delay, nor shall Consultant be
responsible for damages or be in default or deemed to be in default by reason of strikes,
lockouts, accidents, or acts of God, or the failure of City to furnish timely information or
to approve or disapprove Consultant's work promptly, or delay or faulty performance by
City, contractors, or governmental agencies, or any other delays beyond Consultant's
control or without Consultant's fault.
5. INDEPENDENT PARTIES
City retains Consultant on an independent contractor basis and Consultant is not
an employee of City. The manner and means of conducting the work are under the
control of Consultant, except to the extent they are limited by statute, rule or regulation
and the expressed terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed
to constitute Consultant or any of Consultant's employees or agents, to be the agents or
employees of City. Consultant shall have the responsibility for and control over the
details in means of performing the work provided that Consultant is in compliance with
the terms of this Agreement. Anything in this Agreement which may appear to give City
the right to direct Consultant as to the details of the performance of the services or to
exercise a measure of control over Consultant shall mean that Consultant shall follow
the desires of City only with respect to the results of the services.
6. COOPERATION
Consultant agrees to work closely and cooperate fully with City's designated
Project Administrator, and any other agencies that may have jurisdiction or interest in
the work to be performed. City agrees to cooperate with the Consultant on the Project.
7. PROJECT MANAGER
. Consultant has designated Tania Gonzalez to be its Principal -in- Charge. She
shall coordinate all phases of the Project and be available to City at all reasonable times
during the Project term Consultant shall not remove or reassign the Principal -in- Charge
or assign any new or replacement person to the Project without the prior consent of
City. City's approval shall not be unreasonably withheld with respect to removal or
assignment of non -key personnel.
Consultant, at the sole discretion of City, shall remove from the Project any of its
personnel assigned to the performance of services upon written request of City.
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 3
Consultant warrants that it will continuously furnish the necessary personnel to
complete the Project on a timely basis as contemplated by this Agreement.
8. TIME OF PERFORMANCE
Time is of the essence in the performance of the services under this Agreement
and the services shall be performed by Consultant in accordance with the schedule
specified in attachment "A ". The failure by Consultant to strictly adhere to the schedule,
may result in termination of this Agreement by City, and the assessment of damages
against Consultant for delay. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall not be
responsible for delays that are due to causes beyond Consultant's reasonable control.
However, in the case of any such delay in the services to be provided for the Project,
each party hereby agrees to provide notice to the other party so that all delays can be
addressed.
8.1 Consultant shall submit all requests for extensions of time for performance
in writing to the Project Administrator not later than ten (10) calendar days after the start
of the condition that purportedly causes a delay, and not later than the date upon which
performance is due. The Project Administrator shall review all such requests and may
grant reasonable time extensions for unforeseeable delays, which are beyond
Consultant's control.
8.2 For all time periods not specifically set forth herein, Consultant shall
respond in the most expedient and appropriate manner under the circumstances, by
either telephone, fax, hand delivery or mail.
9. CITY POLICY
Consultant will discuss and review all matters relating to policy and project
direction with the Project Administrator in advance of all critical decision points in order
to ensure that the Project proceeds in a manner consistent with City goals and policies.
10. CONFORMANCE TO APPLICABLE REQUIREMENT
All work prepared by Consultant shall conform to applicable city, county, state
and federal law, regulations and permit requirements and be subject to approval of the
Project Administrator and City.
11. PROGRESS
Consultant is responsible to keep the Project Administrator and/or his/her duly
authorized designee informed on a regular basis regarding the status and progress of the
work, activities performed and planned, and any meetings that have been scheduled or
are desired.
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 4
i
12. HOLD HARMLESS
Consultant shall indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless City, its City Council,
boards and commissions, officers and employees from and against any and all loss,
damages, liability, claims, allegations of liability, suits, costs and expenses for damages
of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, death, personal
injury, property damages, or any other claims arising from any and all negligent acts or
omissions of Consultant, its employees, agents or subcontractors in the performance of
services or work conducted or performed pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnity
shall apply even in the event of negligence of City, or its employees, or other
contractors, excepting only the sole negligence or willful misconduct of City, its officers
or employees, and shall include attorneys' fees and all other costs incurred in defending
any such claim.
13. INSURANCE
Without limiting consultant's indemnification of City, and prior to commencement
of work, Consultant shall obtain and provide and maintain at its own expense during the
term of this Agreement policy or policies of liability insurance of the type and amounts
described below and satisfactory to City. Certification of all required policies shall be
signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf and must
be filed with City prior to exercising any right or performing any work pursuant to this
Agreement. Except workers compensation and errors and omissions, all insurance
policies shall add City, its elected officials, officers, agents, representatives and
employees as additional insured for all liability arising from Consultant's services as
described herein.
All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance company currently
authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact business of insurance in the
State of California, with an assigned policyholders' Rating of A (or higher) and Financial
Size Category Class VII (or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of Bests Key
Rating Guide: unless otherwise approved by the City Risk Manager.
A. Worker's compensation insurance covering all employees and principals
of Consultant, per the laws of the State of California.
B. Commercial general liability insurance covering third party liability risks,
including without limitation, contractual liability, in a minimum amount of $1
million combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, personal
injury and property damage. If commercial general liability insurance or
other form with a general aggregate is used, either the general aggregate
shall apply separately to this Project, or the general aggregate limit shall
be twice the occurrence limit.
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 5 r1
j
C. Commercial auto liability and property insurance covering any owned and
rented vehicles of Consultant in a minimum amount of $1 million combined
single limit per accident for bodily injury and property damage.
Said policy or policies shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be canceled by
either party, except after thirty (30) days' prior notice has been given in writing to City.
Consultant shall give City prompt and timely notice of claim made or suit instituted
arising out of Consultant's operation hereunder. Consultant shall also procure and
maintain, at its own cost and expense, any additional kinds of insurance, which in its
own judgment may be necessary for its proper protection and prosecution of the work.
Consultant agrees that, in the event of loss due to any of the perils for which it has
agreed to provide comprehensive general and automotive liability insurance, Consultant
shall look solely to its insurance for recovery. Consultant hereby grants to City, on
behalf of any insurer providing comprehensive general and automotive liability
insurance to either Consultant or City with respect to the services of Consultant herein,
a waiver of any right of subrogation which any such insurer of said Consultant may
acquire against City by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance.
14. PROHIBITION AGAINST TRANSFERS
Except as specifically authorized under this agreement, Consultant shall not
assign, sublease, hypothecate or transfer this Agreement or any of the services to be
performed under this Agreement, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise
without prior written consent of City. Any attempt to do so without consent of City shall
be null and void.
The sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of any of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of Consultant, or of the interest of any general partner or joint venturer or
syndicate member or cotenant if Consultant is a partnership or joint- venture or
syndicate or cotenancy, which shall result in changing the control of Consultant, shall be
construed as an assignment of this Agreement. Control means fifty percent (50 %) or
more of the voting power, or twenty -five percent (25 %) or more of the assets of the
corporation, partnership or joint- venture.
15. OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS
Each and every report, draft, work product, map, record and other document
reproduced, prepared or caused to be prepared by Consultant pursuant to or in
connection with this Agreement shall be the exclusive property of City.
Documents, including drawings and specifications, prepared by Consultant pursuant to
this Agreement are not intended or represented to be suitable for reuse by City or
others on any other project. Any use of completed documents for other projects and
any use of incomplete documents without specific written authorization from Consultant
will be at City's sole risk and without liability to Consultant. Further, any and all liability
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 6 i/
arising out of changes made to Consultant's deliverables under this Agreement by City
or persons other than Consultant is waived against Consultant and City assumes full
responsibility for such changes unless City has given Consultant prior notice and has
received from Consultant written consent for such changes.
Consultant shall, at such time and in such form as City may require, fumish reports
concerning the status of services required under this Agreement.
16. CONFIDENTIALITY
The information, which results from the services in this Agreement, is to be kept
confidential unless the release of information is authorized by City.
17. CITY'S RESPONSIBILITIES
In order to assist Consultant in the execution of his responsibilities under this
Agreement, City agrees to provide access to, and upon request of Consultant, one copy
of all existing record information on file at City. Consultant shall be entitled to rely upon
the accuracy of data information provided by City or others without independent review
or evaluation. City will provide all such materials in a timely manner so as not to cause
delays in Consultant's work schedule.
18. ADMINISTRATION
This Agreement will be administered by the Planning Department. Patrick J.
Alford, Senior Planner shall be considered the Project Administrator and shall have the
authority act for City under this Agreement. The Project Administrator or his /her
authorized representative shall represent City in all matters pertaining to the services to
be rendered pursuant to this Agreement.
19. RECORDS
Consultant shall keep records and invoices in connection with the work to be
performed under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate
records with respect to the costs incurred under this Agreement. All such records shall
be clearly identifiable. Consultant shall allow a representative of City to examine, audit
and make transcripts or copies of such records during normal business hours.
Consultant shall allow inspection of all work, data, documents, proceedings and
activities related to the Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the date of final
payment under this Agreement.
20. WITHHOLDINGS
City may withhold payment of any disputed sums until satisfaction of the dispute
with respect to such payment. Such withholding shall not be deemed to constitute a
failure to pay according to the terms of this Agreement. Consultant shall not discontinue
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 7
work as a result of such withholding. Consultant shall have an immediate right to
appeal to the City Manager or his designee with respect to such disputed sums.
Consultant shall be entitled to receive interest on any withheld sums at the rate of seven
percent (7 %) per annum from the date of withholding of any amounts found to have
been improperly withheld.
21. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
In the event of errors or omissions that are due to the negligence or professional
inexperience of Consultant which result in expense to City greater than would have
resulted if there were not errors or omissions in the work accomplished by Consultant,
the additional design, construction and /or a restoration expense shall be borne by
Consultant. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to limit City's rights under any other
sections of this Agreement.
22. CITY'S RIGHT TO EMPLOY OTHER CONSULTANTS
City reserves the right to employ other consultants in connection with the Project.
23. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A. The Consultant or its employees may be subject to the provisions of the
California Political Reform Act of 1974 (the "Act "), which (1) requires such
persons to disclose financial interest that may foreseeably be materially
affected by the work performed under this Agreement, and (2) prohibits
such persons from making, or participating in making decisions that will
foreseeably financially affect such interest.
B. If subject to the Act, Consultant shall conform to all requirements of the
Act. Failure to do so constitutes a
termination of this Agreement by C
hold harmless City for any and all
Consultant's violation of this Section.
material breach and is grounds for
ty. Consultant shall indemnify and
claims for damages resulting from
24. SUBCONSULTANT AND ASSIGNMENT
Except as specifically authorized under this Agreement, the services included in
this Agreement shall not be assigned, transferred, contracted or subcontracted without
prior written approval of City.
25. NOTICES
All notices, demands, requests or approvals to be given under this Agreement
shall be given in writing and conclusively shall be deemed served when delivered
personally or on the third business day after the deposit thereof in the United States
mail, postage prepaid, first class mail, addressed as hereinafter provided.
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 8
All notices, demands, requests or approvals from Consultant to City shall be
addressed to City at:
City of Newport Beach
ATTN: Patrick J. Alford, Senior Planner
3300 Newport Boulevard
P. O. Box 1768
Newport Beach, CA, 92658 -8915
(949) 644 -3235 (Voice)
(949) 644 -3229 (Fax)
palford @city.newport- beach.ca.us (E -mail)
All notices, demands, requests or approvals from City to Consultant shall be
addressed to Consultant at:
Earth Consultants International
ATTN: Tania Gonzalez, Principal Project Consultant
2522 North Santiago Boulevard, Suite B
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 282 -6123 (Voice)
(714) 998 -0971 (Fax)
tonzalez@earthconsultants.com (E -mail)
26. TERMINATION
In the event either part hereto fails or refuses to perform any of the provisions
hereof at the time and in the manner required hereunder, that party shall be deemed in
default in the performance of this Agreement. If such default is not cured within a period
of two (2) days, or if more than two (2) days are reasonably required to cure the default
and the defaulting party fails to give adequate assurance of due performance within two
(2) days after receipt of written notice of default, specifying the nature of such default
and the steps necessary to cure such default, the nondefaulting party may terminate the
Agreement forthwith by giving to the defaulting party written notice thereof.
26.1 City shall have the option, at its sole discretion and without cause, of
tenninating this Agreement by giving seven (7) days' prior written notice to Consultant
as provided herein. Upon termination of this Agreement, City shall pay to the
Consultant that portion of compensation specified in this Agreement that is earned and
unpaid prior to the effective date of termination.
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 9
11
27. COMPLIANCES
Consultant shall comply with all laws, state or federal and all ordinances, rules
and regulations enacted or issued by City.
28. WAIVER
A waiver by either party of any breach, of any term, covenant or condition
contained herein shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the
same or any other term, covenant or condition contained herein, whether of the same or
a different character.
29. INTEGRATED CONTRACT
This Agreement represents the full and complete understanding of every kind or
nature whatsoever between the Parties hereto, and all preliminary negotiations and
agreements of whatsoever kind or nature are merged herein. No verbal agreement or
implied covenant shall be held to vary the provisions herein. Any modification of this
Agreement will be effective only by written execution signed by both City and Consultant.
32. PATENT INDEMNITY
The Consultant shall indemnify City, its agents, officers, representatives and
employees against liability, including costs, for infringement of any United States' letters
patent, trademark, or copyright infringement, including costs, contained in Consultant's
drawings and specifications provided under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed on the day and year first written above.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
A Municipal Corporation
By:
Homer Bludau
City Manager
City of Newport Beach
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Robin Clauson
Assistant City Attorney
CONSULTANT
Coastal Resources Management
Tania Gonzalez, Principal
Professional Services Agreement
Hazards Assessment
Page 10
Earth
—Consultants
International
To: CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, California 92658 -8915
Attention: Mr. Patrick J. Alford, Senior Planner
May 10, 2002
Subject: PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT A HAZARDS ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Thank you for the opportunity to submit a proposal to conduct a hazards assessment study for
the City of Newport Beach. We are encouraged by the City's commitment to conduct this
study because Newport Beach is at significant risk of being impacted by a variety of natural
hazards, many of them unique to the coastal communities of southern California.
Furthermore, given that the City's current Safety Element dates from 1975, completion of this
hazards assessment study will assist the City in identifying and developing mitigation and
management programs that will ultimately make Newport Beach a more hazard - resistant and
therefore, safer community.
Enclosed you will find a technical proposal that includes a brief overview of the methodology
we would employ on this project. As requested in the RFP, it also addresses the schedule and
budget. Our Statement of Qualifications package includes information on our expertise and
experience with these kinds of projects, a client contact list, and information of the key staff
members who will be responsible for the success of this project.
At Earth Consultants International, we are all committed to working with you to create a
product that will improve the safety of Newport Beach's residents for years to come. We look
forward to working with you to make Newport Beach a better, safer place now and long into
the future.
Respectfully submitted,
EARTH CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
--�,.X
Tanis Gonzalez, CEG 1859
Project Consultant
2522 North Santiago Boulevard, Suite B ® Orange ® California ® 92867 SK. USA
Telephone: (714) 282 -6123 M Facsimile: (714) 998 -0971
tgonzalez@earthconsltants.com ® www. earthconsultants.com 15
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT A
HAZARDS ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
ORANGE COUNTYt CALIFORNIA
Submitted by
Earth
AwIntemational onsultants
Introduction
According to the RFP, the City of Newport Beach is interested in conducting a study that
identifies the potential health and safety hazards specific to the City. The results of the
study will be used to update the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan and the City's Safety
Element of the General Plan. Update of the Safety Element should be considered a
priority, since the current document dates from 1975, and in the intervening 27 years there
has been an unprecedented explosion of new geologic and seismic knowledge related to
natural hazard occurrence and mitigation. Furthermore, there have been major paradigm
shifts in how these hazards are managed in our built -out environment.
Purpose and Scope
Earth Consultants International has prepared the following technical proposal to assist the
City of Newport Beach in identifying and managing its natural hazards. The scope of work
proposed herein addresses all the issues identified in the RFP, plus others that we feel
should be considered given the City's extensive water frontage. The hazards we propose
to discuss are summarized briefly below. For more specific information, refer to the
Deliverables section that begins in Page 4.
• Seismic hazards, including strong ground motion, fault rupture, liquefaction,
earthquake- induced slope instability, and other types of seismically induced
ground deformation.
• Flooding and coastal hazards, including storm flooding, tsunamis, seiches, storm
waves, high tides, flooding as a result of catastrophic failure of reservoirs and dams,
and sea level rise due to global warming.
Proposal - Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
Page I
1`I
• Geologic hazards, including expansive, compressible and corrosive soils, slope
instability, erosion, naturally occurring oil (tar) seeps and naturally occurring
methane migration.
• Hazardous materials management, including the handling, transport, storage and
disposal of hazardous and extremely hazardous materials, storm drain pollutant
control, landfill- produced methane migration, and oil field related contamination.
• Aviation hazards associated with the operation of John Wayne Airport.
Approach and Methodology
Data Review and Compilation
Every project of this type is based on an extensive set of geologic and geographic data
specific to the area of concern. We will compile the data available, including reports and
maps prepared and published by others, and non - confidential, non - propriety reports we
have in- house. Data sources we will access include the California Geological Survey (CGS
— previously known as the California Division of Mines and Geology), the US Geological
Survey (USGS), the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), County of
Orange, the City of Newport Beach, and other federal, state, and local sources. We already
have most of the pertinent, hazard - management related publications in our library, but we
will do a comprehensive GeoRef search for other, Newport Beach - specific publications.
We will also rely on telephone communications and visits with a number of City, and, if
necessary County, officials for their views on current safety issues, and to ensure that
specific concerns are addressed.
Although the RFP calls for field studies, as necessary, to address the issues identified, we
would argue that there is an extensive, albeit fragmented and poorly disseminated,
collection of studies that have already been conducted for individual tracts that identify the
locations of individual fault traces, landslides and other physical characteristics of the sites
as mapped during development. We propose to obtain copies of these studies from the
City's files. The data presented in these reports will then be summarized and compiled
into the appropriate maps that will be prepared as deliverables for this project. We will
conduct limited site reviews to ground truth some of the data obtained from the literature
compilation, but subsurface studies, including borings, soil sampling, or ground -water
sampling will not be part of this investigation.
Mapping
Hazard maps are the backbone of solid hazard management policy. Unless you have a
good spatial understanding of the hazard, neither planning nor other mitigation can
proceed rationally. Earth Consultants International has prepared hundreds of hazard maps
for the southern California area as part of the projects identified in our attached Statement
Proposal • Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 2
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
I5
of Qualifications package. We typically prepare our hazard maps in a GIS platform based
on Mapinfo. Mapinfo exports to either ArcView or Arclnfo, a process that we successfully
executed with more than twenty maps and metadata files for the Riverside County Safety
Element. We will convert our Mapinfo products to the City's preferred GIS system, as
requested.
:.\
Analysis of Existing City Policies and Programs
The Dimter Mitigation Cycle
True disaster reduction never ends, but
it does begin with an honest and
accurate assessment of the present
through hazard mapping. Vulnerability
and risk assessments are tools that help
to quantify and portray the magnitude
of the threat facing the community.
Training and public support are also
critical to the successful continuation of
the process.
Newport Beach has several existing hazard and public safety policies and programs as part
of their existing Safety Element, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan and their Emergency
Operations Plan. We will review these policies and programs for adequacy and
consistency with the new hazard and vulnerability understanding that we will be
developing for the City. By now, we will have met with your designated department
[agency] representatives to learn how the City operates and how departments are
integrated into the community emergency planning document(s). In this part of the
analysis, we bring coherency to the varying programs and priorities, and work with City
officials to develop a consistent plan for the future. The main product of this phase of the
study will be to develop a list of constraints and opportunities based on the hazards
identified, and a list of recommendations that the City can use to develop goals, policies
and programs aimed at reducing its hazard vulnerability. Where appropriate, priorities will
be identified.
One of the best methodologies for quantitatively determining vulnerability is to use
HAZUS" software to estimate loss from specific, disaster - causing events. We are very
conversant with HAZUS" , having included similar scenario models into Riverside County,
Moorpark, Rancho Cucamonga, and many other recent Safety Elements. ECI is the only
southern California firm to incorporate earthquake loss estimation studies to support
response and recovery, land use planning policies, retrofit initiatives, and other policy
recommendations for Safety Elements and Hazard Assessment studies. We will run four
earthquake scenarios for Newport Beach to identify the areas of the City most likely to be
impacted by each of these seismic sources. Tentatively, the scenarios we propose to run
Proposal • Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach
By Faith Consultants Intemational, Inc.
May 2002
Page 3
• Dam Failure Inundation Zones, and if available, water tank and reservoir failure
inundation zones
• Tsunami Runup Zones
• Sea -level Scenarios due to Global Warming
• Wildfire Susceptibility
• Historical Seismicity
• Engineering Geologic Materials (needed as a data layer for several derivative
maps)
• Depth to Groundwater (needed as a data layer for several derivative maps)
• Earthquake Shaking Scenarios for the Newport- Inglewood, San Joaquin Hills and
Whittier faults.
Seismic microzaration maps are produced in a GIS environment using various data layers. In the
simple model shown above, the surface and subsurface geologic map layer is integrated with
sediment properties that relate to seismic shaking inunssty, and both are then integrated with the
modeled earthquake ground motions to produce a map of seismic intensity. Potential building
damage (and Iona) can be directly caiarbW in the GIS environment based on seismic intensity and
a structural imrartory. At Earth Consultants International we use GIS to map, develop, and manage
data critical to urban planning, hazard management, and Ion estimation.
Proposal - Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 5
By Faith Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
11
i
ze..
Seismic microzaration maps are produced in a GIS environment using various data layers. In the
simple model shown above, the surface and subsurface geologic map layer is integrated with
sediment properties that relate to seismic shaking inunssty, and both are then integrated with the
modeled earthquake ground motions to produce a map of seismic intensity. Potential building
damage (and Iona) can be directly caiarbW in the GIS environment based on seismic intensity and
a structural imrartory. At Earth Consultants International we use GIS to map, develop, and manage
data critical to urban planning, hazard management, and Ion estimation.
Proposal - Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 5
By Faith Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
11
include one each for the Newport- Inglewood, San Joaquin Hills, Whittier, and San Andreas
fau Its.
Deliverables
The products that we propose to prepare as part of this study include a series of Hazard
Maps, as well as a Technical Background Report that contains all of the supporting
documentation for the Hazard Maps.
HAZARD MAPS that we propose to prepare for the City of Newport Beach include:
Active and Potentially Active Faults and Fault Investigation Zones (or Fault Hazard
Management Zones)
Liquefaction — Susceptible Zones (based on the Seismic Hazard Mapping Act maps)
Updaction Susceptibility Map Prepared for western Riverside County. SusceptlWay zones are tied to land use
zoning and to geolwhnical Investigation requirement.
• Landslide and Slope Instability Zones (based on the Seismic Hazard Mapping Act
maps, but modified, if necessary, based on slope gradient, type of geologic
materials and geologic structure)
• Flooding (FEMA) and Mud /Debris Flow Potential, including specific areas that are
of concern to your Engineering and/or Public Works departments
Proposal - Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 4
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002 d
I
The maps will be prepared at a scale of 1:12,000. This is twice the size of the usual base
map scale used by the USGS and CGS. Where the data are available at a larger scale, we
will enter and annotate the data at their original scale.
Specific issues that we will address in the TECHNICAL BACKGROUND REPORT include:
➢ Fault Rupture (Seismic Hazards): The Newport- Inglewood fault extends across the
City of Newport Beach in a northwesterly direction. This fault caused the 1933
earthquake that caused extensive damage in Long Beach, although its epicentral
location was in Newport Beach. The southern portion of the City is underlain by the
San Joaquin Hills fault, a recently discovered fault that does not extend to the surface
but that could have associated, secondary faults at or near the surface. We have access
to the most recent data available on this newly discovered fault because Eldon Gath,
Principal at ECI, is one of the co-discoverers. As part of this project, we will identify the
known fault locations, and will then discuss the potential for surface fault rupture to
occur in the area.
➢ Ground Shaking (Seismic Hazards): In addition to the two fault systems mentioned
above, there are several other known potential sources of strong ground shaking within
100 km (about 60 miles) of Newport Beach. These include the Elsinore - Whittier,
Peralta Hills, Santa Monica - Hollywood, Puente Hills and Cucamonga faults, to
mention a few. There are also several active faults offshore of Newport Beach that need
to be considered in the seismic hazard model of the City. We propose to characterize
the relative ground motions expected from the known active and potentially active
faults in the region. As members of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC),
we have access to the most current state of knowledge on the various faults in the area.
We will summarize this knowledge for all faults near Newport Beach.
➢ Liquefaction and Secondary Ground Failure (Seismic Hazards): Portions of the City are
underlain by poorly consolidated sediments and shallow groundwater. These areas
have a high susceptibility to liquefaction during earthquakes. We will characterize the
liquefaction susceptibility of the City using available local data. Geotechnical
standards and hazard reduction methods in compliance with the County of Orange and
recommendations by the CGS and SCEC that can be implemented to mitigate the
hazard of liquefaction will be discussed.
➢ Landslides and Slope Instability (Geologic Hazards): The Newport Mesa and San
Joaquin Hills areas of the City include slopes that are surficially unstable and can
become a problem during intense or sustained rainfall. Many of the geologic units
underlying these areas are also easily erodible. Cuts made into these high relief areas
may be unstable if weak planes of weakness are exposed. We will address the
potential for slope instability in the City, with emphasis on those areas along the Pacific
Coast Highway and other major routes, where slope failure can impact traffic flow, in
addition to pose a hazard to life, limb and property. We will also address the issues of
mudslides and debris flows and their potential for impacting development at the
mouths of canyons and at the base of the hills.
Proposal • Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 6
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
19
Compressible, Expansive, and Corrosive Soils (Geologic Hazards): Compressible soils
are characteristic of areas underlain by poorly consolidated stream and colluvial
deposits. These soils have a moderate to high potential for differential settlement when
a large load, such as a building, is applied to them. Fine - grained silts and clays may
have a high expansion potential that can result in significant damage to foundations
and structures. Corrosive soils contain minerals that over time can weaken concrete or
metal. We will discuss the geotechnical constraints that highly compressible soils,
highly expansive soils and highly corrosive soils may pose to buildings and
infrastructure in the area. The City's current guidelines to mitigate the hazards
associated with these types of soils will be reviewed for adequacy.
➢ Coastal Hazards: Any hazard analysis of Newport Beach that does not consider the
offshore environment is inadequate. Huge landslides are present on the continental
slope that can fail and generate large tsunamis with relatively little warning to the
coastal residents. Tsunamis have been responsible for over 400 deaths worldwide in
the past decade. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if the local
communities had early warning plans and systems in place. local coastal
communities along the southern California coast have been lulled into a false sense of
security because only a few, minor tsunamis have impacted this stretch of coastline in
historical times. However, the 100 -year (R100) and 500 -year (R500) tsunami run -up
heights predicted for Newport Beach are 6.1 and 10.8 feet, respectively. Given the
amount of near -shore development in some areas of the City, this can be considered a
moderate to significant hazard. We propose to generate local and distant tsunami
inundation maps for the coastal areas of the City using internationally accepted
numerical models. As with all other map products we propose to complete for this
study, these maps will be prepared in a GIS, so that they can be modified as necessary
as local land use changes. This will allow the City to develop response plans
appropriate for those areas identified as being high risk. Furthermore, once the areas of
tsunami flooding hazard have been identified, a community -wide effort of tsunami
hazard awareness can be developed and implemented to educate the residents as to
the appropriate actions to take in the event of a tsunami. Finally, if warranted, the City
can take actions to deploy tsunami detection and early warning systems.
We will also address the potential issues associated with short-term and long -term sea
level rise due to global warning and its impacts on the coastal areas of Newport Beach.
We propose to summarize the state -of- knowledge on this subject, and prepare charts of
the maximum and minimum sea levels predicted for the next decades. Areas that have
the potential to be flooded by the projected sea level rise will be identified.
Many coastal areas in southern California are periodically impacted by strong winds
and storm waves that have the potential to cause significant structural damage to near -
shore facilities and residences. Similarly, we will address the potential for seiches to
occur in Newport Bay. Developed areas that could be impacted by a seiche in
Newport Bay and other smaller enclosed bodies of water in the City will be identified.
Proposal • Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 7
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
7D
➢ Storm - induced Flooding and Earthquake- induced Inundation: As part of this section
we will identify the areas of the City prone to flooding. As evidenced in the last few
years, southern California can experience wet winters that severely test the storm drain
systems, often resulting in flooded streets and damage to property. We will interview
City officials to identify which storm drain system(s) and channels in the City need to
be upgraded to better handle the peak flows characteristic to the area. The capacity of
existing and planned flood control improvements will be reviewed and located relative
to the areas of recent and future growth in the City. Reservoirs and water storage
facilities can fail catastrophically during an earthquake. In the past, the water released
from some of these failed structures has impacted developed areas downgradient,
adding to the damage toll. We will identify those areas in the City, if any, that could
be impacted by earthquake- induced inundation.
➢ Fire Hazards: Vegetation native to southern California, and some introduced species,
such as eucalyptus, contain highly combustible oils. These types of vegetation,
together with the right weather conditions (wet winters, _dry summers and falls with
strong Santa Ana winds) combine to generate high fire hazard conditions. In the
developed areas of the City, earthquake - induced Hire especially if associated with
strong Santa Ana wind conditions, is a potential hazard that needs to be addressed. As
part of the HAZUS analysis, we will summarize the Hire- after - earthquake potential for
the City. Then, we will review the existing fire suppression capability of Newport
Beach, including available services, evacuation routes, fire flows, minimum road
widths, peak load water supply requirements, and building density. We will review
and discuss the potential for wildland fires to impact portions of the City, and will
review the City's current fire hazard mitigation program.
Hazardous Materials Management Hazardous materials are used and/or generated at
many commercial and industrial facilities, such as gas stations, dry cleaners, and
photographic development stores. In addition, small amounts of hazardous materials
are used in households. Proper use and disposal of these substances, including
encouraging the use of non -toxic alternatives, can reduce the potential for increasing
contamination of our natural resources. Extremely hazardous materials may be
transported through City limits by truck. We will inventory the users of hazardous and
extremely hazardous materials, assess their locations relative to the critical facilities in
the City. Finally, we will review the City's hazard management plan and other
ordinances and measures that are currently being used to control the discharge of
pollutants into storm drains and the environment, in general.
Aviation Hazards: The aviation hazards component of the study will be undertaken by
Emergency & Disaster Management, Inc., (EDM), a Los Angeles -based firm that
extensive experience in this area. Mr. Gunnar Kuepper, Chief of Operations with
EDM, has personally conducted similar studies for many airports both in the United
States and Europe, including for John Wayne Airport (see additional information on
EDM at www.edmus.info). Mr. Kuepper and his team will summarize the emergency
response systems in place at John Wayne Airport, including the Airport index data and
its Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services. Then, EDM will conduct an
assessment of the emergency services and management plans that Newport Beach may
Proposal - Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 8
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
have in place to respond to and provide assistance in the event of a major aviation
disaster in the immediate area. This assessment will include a review of the training,
planning, communication and coordination resources available in Newport Beach.
EDM will identify deficiencies in the current plans, if any, and will provide specific
improvements that can be implemented by the City to provide increased emergency
response.
Key Improvements To The Existing Newport Beach Knowledge Base
1. All data and maps will be incorporated into a Geographic Information System for
ready access to all City staff, web - accessible to all City residents and businesses,
and easily updatable as new data are generated.
2. Creation of a Tsunami Runup Model based on the newest offshore topographic
profiling and computer tsunami modeling techniques.
3. Seismic Microzonation Mapping according to the newest computer modeling
techniques developed by the Southern California Earthquake Center.
4. Incorporation of the new Seismic Hazard Mapping Act maps for liquefaction and
seismically induced slope failures, as required by state law.
5. Discussion of the newly proposed San Joaquin Hills fault as it pertains to seismic
design of buildings in the City of Newport Beach.
6. HAZUS -based Loss Estimation Scenarios for selected earthquakes of significance to
Newport Beach.
Schedule
These types of projects generally take four to six months of effort to complete. The
methodology and approach described above are based on the natural progression of tasks,
whereby the mapping phase follows the data compilation phase, the analysis phase follows
the mapping phase, and so on. It is not prudent to rush a later phase in advance of others,
as this often results in some work having to be redone once all the data are compiled.
However, the City requires an accelerated program for the Coastal Zone, with a submittal
date of August 30, 2002. To be responsive to this need, we propose to conduct two phases
in parallel: we will review and compile the available coastal information and prepare the
hazard maps for the entire City, including the Coastal Zone. To do so, we will require that
the City provide us with digital files of the study boundaries (Coastal Zone and City
boundaries) immediately after giving us the authorization to proceed. The detail quality of
the coastal hazards assessment is greatly dependent on the topographic coverage available.
Ideally, the City should provide us with digital topographic coverage (at 1 -foot contour
interval). Reports in City files that address the Coastal Zone planning area, including any
geotechnical, flooding and historical data of relevance to this project should also be made
available to us very early in the project.
Proposal • Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 9
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
Once the draft hazard maps have been prepared, we will review the Local Coastal
Program Land use Plan to determine the adequacy of its goals, programs and policies. We
will then prepare a list of recommendations based on the findings presented in the hazard
maps. The draft hazard maps and list of recommendations for the Coastal Zone will be
submitted as a first deliverable to the City. Provided that we receive the necessary
documents and files discussed above in a prompt manner, we can prepare these products
in eight weeks, and therefore in time for the August 30, 2002 deadline.
We will then continue with the natural progression of tasks for the remaining of the
project. This will entail review and compilation of data available for the rest of the City,
revisions to the draft hazard maps as necessary, given the new data reviewed, and analysis.
We will run the HAZUS earthquake scenarios and we will prepare the Technical Report.
We can complete all of the remaining tasks well in advance of the January 2003 deadline.
For more specifics regarding the proposed schedule of tasks, refer to Table 1, attached.
Fee
Table 2 shows our estimated cost, by task, for conducting the tasks discussed above. This is
a not -to- exceed contract price, subject to the conditions and assumptions discussed in the
methodology section. Any additional tasks requested will be billed separately on a time -
and- materials basis, per our attached 2002 Professional Fee Schedule. Our fee is firm for a
period of 60 -days from the date of this proposal. We proposed to accomplish all of the
tasks in our Scope of Work as discussed above for the cost of Seventy -Three Thousand,
Five Hundred Dollars ($73,500.00).
Proposal . Hazards Assessment Study for Newport Beach Page 10
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
May 2002
� 3
Table 2 - Price Proposal
Hazard Assessrnertt Study
City of Newport Beach
Tasks
Total/Task
Research Phase
literature Search
$
2,500.00
Government/Agencies
$
3,200.00
Mapping Phase
Data Compilation
$
5,000.00
Digitize Maps
$
4,200.00
Analysis Phase
Seismic Hazards
$
2,000.00
Geologic Hazards
$
2,500.00
HAZUS loss estimation models
$
2,000.00
Coastal Hazards
$
10,000.00
Flooding Hazards
$
4,000.00
Fire Hazards
$
3,500.00
Hazardous Materials
$
3,500.00
Aviation Hazards (EDM)
$
10,000.00
Production of Report and Maps
Maps
$
6,000.00
Technical Background Report
$
12,000.00
Reimbursobles
Mileage
$
400.00
Map Purchasing and Mailing Costs
$
300.00
Computer Use and Printing Costs
$
2,400.00
$
73,500.00
For Specifics regarding our Cost Proposal, including Exceptions and Assumptions, refer to accomparrying text.
Costs for each sub -task are estimated, and as work progresses, hours may be reallocated if necessary.
Earth Consultants International guarantees this cost for 60 days from the day at the bottom of this document.
Proposal • Hazards Assessment Studyfor Newport Bach
By Earth Consultants International, Inc.
5/10/02
Page 12
g5
Earth
isultants
rnational
Statement of Qualifications
Company Description
2522 North Santiago Boulevard, Suite B
Orange, California 92867
714.282.6121
www.earthconsultants.com
Natural Hazard Management — For a Safer World
LIP,
Firm Experience and Similar Projects
The professionals that form Earth Consultants International, Inc. are recognized leaders in
the identification and mitigation of geologic hazards and in the field of seismic hazard
mitigation. Our company brings together the tested and practical management skills of
industry, with state -of - the -art knowledge and research talents of academia. Our mission is
to help our clients develop solutions to their complex earth science problems. Our
consultants include Drs. Kerry Sieh, Tom Rockwell and Robert Yeats, three preeminent
seismic specialists; Tania Gonzalez, an expert in land use studies, who will be the principal
contact for the city of Newport Beach as well as the primary researcher and project
manager for this project; Eldon Gath, who has over twenty years of experience in the
identification, investigation, and remediation of geologic hazards; and Dr. Richard Laton,
who specializes in GIS mapping, coastal mapping and erosion mitigation, and hydrology.
We defined the state of the art for California Safety Elements in 1990 with Los Angeles
County, a document that is still used daily by the Los Angeles County Planning and Public
Works departments, as well as the California Geological Survey (formerly known as the
Division of Mines and Geology). Our Los Angeles County technical report entitled "Hazard
Reduction in Los Angeles County° summarized the state of the knowledge in hazard
management, planning mitigation, and policy opportunities. In the intervening decade,
considerable progress has been made in hazard mapping and ECI has continued to stay at
the forefront. This allowed us in 2000 to complete a massive undertaking in compiling all of
the available hazard data for Riverside County into a comprehensive hazard map GIS
system.
We are well respected by the California Geological Survey, and we have never received a
negative review comment for any Technical Background Report or Safety Element
submitted to them for review. All of our reports have been accepted and approved as
submitted the first time. We were involved in developing the technical guidelines for the
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. We have been researchers and panelists and presenters
and educators to transfer knowledge of geological hazards and hazard mitigation to both
the public and the practitioner. A good example of how ECI successfully blends the state of
the knowledge of academia with the practical, applied side of consulting is the seismic
hazard assessment we undertook at San Bernardino Valley College, and which has led to
their receiving a major FEMA mitigation grant. Further, In 1995, we helped the City of
Santa Monica emerge from the Northridge earthquake with a suite of hazard management
ordinances in place (including mandatory retrofit ordinances with completion deadlines and
enforceable penalties for failure to comply), pointing them on the road to a safer future.
More recently, we were hired by the cities of El Monte, Signal Hill, and Burbank to provide
technical assistance with respect to the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act and its
implementation in their city.
ECI is the only southern California firm to incorporate HAZUS earthquake loss estimation
studies to support response and recovery, land use planning policies, retrofit initiatives, and
other policy recommendations of the Safety Element. HAZUS uses GIS inventories of
general building stock and essential facilities from national databases, as a result, loss
estimations are improved where local municipalities can provide updated GIS inventories.
a�
Clients
Earth Consultants International (ECI) provides professional consulting services to a wide
spectrum of clients. ECI's technical staff has consulted for public agencies and utilities; energy
companies; land developers; geotechnical and civil engineering companies; federal, state,
county and local governments; law firms and industrial facilities.
ECI has the expertise to help the City of Newport Beach manage its natural hazards because
we have done so for many other cities in southern California with similar issues. Over the past
six years we have completed or are in the process of completing Safety Elements or similar
projects for at least 13 cities and the County of Riverside. We recognize that experience is the
best teacher, and we have learned from experience to become the best.
Municipal and County Safety Elements In California that ECI or ECI staff have had a
direct lead in preparing, including Hazard Maps and Technical Background Reports.
Cities Since 1997
Big Bear Lake
Brea (work in review)
Cathedral City
Desert Hot Springs
Fontana (in progress)
Glendale (in progress)
La Quinta (work in review)
Moorpark
Palm Desert (in review)
Pasadena (work in review)
Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Mirage
Rancho Santa Margarita (in review)
ECI's county clients include:
Los Angeles County - Won awards from the
National Association of Counties
and the American Planning
Association.
1990 -1996:
Brawley
Burbank
Calimesa
Chino Hills
Garden Grove
Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Estates
San Juan Capistrano
Santa Monica
Yucca Valley
Riverside County — Produced large -scale
GIS -based mapping program,
including policies and programs for
hazard management.
�y
Selected Publications by ECI
Selected Publications by Earth Consultants International staff (bold) that support
statements mentioned above relevant to hazard management. They are offered here only
as an example of our public and professional outreach, and our scientific pursuit of
knowledge in hazard management.
Bausch, D.B., Oath, E.M. Gonzalez, T., Dolan, J., and Sieh, 11, 1992, Application of New
Developments in Seismic Hazard Assessment Revised Safety Element of the General Plan,
City of Santa Monica, California, 1992 Association of Engineering Geologists 35th Annual
Meeting, Proceedings, Octobw2 -9, pp. 707 -713.
Cato, K., Oath, E., Gonzalez, T., Bomyasz, M., Walls, C., and Galetzka, J., 2000, The process of
installing southern California's seismic GPS network (abs); Program with Abstracts, Association
of Engineering Geologists 2000 Annual Meeting, AEG NEWS, v. 43, n. 4, p. 79.
Dolan, J. F., Sleh, K., Guptill, P., Miller, G., Rockwell, T.K., and Smimolf, T., 1997, Active
tectonics, paleoseismology, and seismic hazards of the Hollywood fault, northern Los Angeles
basin, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 109, no. 12, pp. 1595 -1616.
Dolan, J.F., Sieh, K., Rockwell, T.K., Yeats, R.S., Shaw, J., Suppe, J., Huftile, G.J., and Gath,
E.M., 1995, Prospects for larger or more frequent earthquakes in the Los Angeles metropolitan
region; Science, v. 267, pp. 199 -205.
Foster, J.H., Rhodes, Brady, P., and Lloyd, William, 1997. "Quatemary Geological Maps of the
Whittier, Los Alamitos, and Seal Beach 71/2" Quadrangles, California ", for California Division of
Mines and Geology, 3 maps each 24 °x360
.
Gath, E.M., 1992, Geologic hazards and hazard mitigation In the Los Angeles region; in Pipldn,
B.W. and Proctor, R.J. (ads.), Engineering Geology Practice in Southern California; Association
of Engineering Geologists, Southern California Section, Special Publication No. 4, pp. 1-32.
Gath, E.M., 1997, Regulating urban growth using multi- hazard planning: the importance and role of
the engineering geologist: Workshop on Urban Planning in Southern Africa, Association of
Engineering Geologists, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Gath, E.M., 1997, Santa Monica's Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Ordinance: Fourth Annual Congress
on Natural Hazard Loss Reduction, Insurance Institute for Property Loss Reduction and Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Irvine, California.
Gath, E.M., 1997, Tectonic geomorphology of the eastern Los Angeles Basin; USGS Final
Technical Report, NEHRP Contract No. 143495 -G -2526, 13 p., 1 plate, 6 figures, 6 tables.
Gath, E.M., 1999, °The Big OrW- -whose big one: a comparative analysis of three earthquake
scenarios in southern California: The Real Meaning of Seismic Risk symposium sponsored by
LA Canty Emergency Preparedness Commission, the Business and Industry Council an
Planning and Preparedness, and the Southern California Earthquake Center, Los Angeles,
California.
Gath, E.M., 1999, Incorporating mufti- hazard awareness into land planning for future disaster
reduction: lessons teamed in Southern California, USA: jQ Karaca, M. and Ural, D.N. (ads)
Proceedings of the ITU -IAHS International Conference an the Kocaeli Earthquake of 17 August,
JI
1999—a scientific assessment and recommendations for re- building, Istanbul Technical
University, Istanbul, Turkey, pp. 221 -228.
Oath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., Drumm, P.L, and Buchlarelll, P., 1994, A paleoselsmic investigation at
the norther terminus of the Whittier fault zone, in the Whittier Narrows area, Rosemead,
California; Technical Report to the Southern California Earthquake Center, 37 p., numerous
plates.
Oath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., and Sieh, K., 1998, Earthquake risk assessment at San Bernardino
Valley College: hazard mitigation astride the San Jacinto fault in southern California (abs);
Seismic Safety of Big Cities, Earthquake Prognostics World Forum, International Commission
on Earthquake Prognostics and the Turkish Earthquake Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey, p. TMS-
3.
Oath, E.M. and Sanchez, P.E., 1990, The Safety Element of Los Angeles County and urban hazard
reduction (abs); Abstracts with Programs, Geological Society of America, 1990 Annual Meeting,
p. A376.
Healy, T., with EERI Seismic Ethics Committee-- Lizurxia, B., Comartin, C.D., Gath, E., Nigg, J.M.,
Tobin, LT., and Greene, M., 1998, Ethical issues and earthquake risk reduction: Earthquake
Engineering Research Institute, EERI Endowment Fund White Paper, 70 p.
Hummon, C, C. Schneider, R. Yeats, J. Dolan, K. Sieh and G. Huftile, 1994, Wilshire fault:
Earthquakes in Hollywood ?: Geology, 22, pp. 291-294.
Sanchez, P.E., Clark, B.R., Ziony, J.I., McKnight, J.S., and Gath, E.M., 1991, Seismic zonation in
the Los Angeles region; in Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Seismic
Zonation; Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, pp. 797 -844.
Sanchez, P.E. and Oath, E.M., 199D, Hazard reduction in Los Angeles County: Technical Appendix
to the Safety Element of tits Los Angeles County General Plan; Los Angeles County
Department of Regional Planning, 2 volumes, 430 p., 8 plates.
Sieh, K., and S. LeVay, 1999, The Earth in Turmoil: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Their Impact on
Humankind: W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 275 p.
Walls, C., Rockwell, T., Mueller, K., Bodo, Y., Williams, S., Planner, J., Dolan, J., and Feng, P.,
1998, Escape from L.A.: Extrusion tectonics in southem California and implications for seismic
risk: Nature.
Yeats, R., K. Sieh, and C. Allen, 1997, The Geology of Earthquakes, Oxford University Press, New
York, 568p.
Yogachandra, C., Bausch, D., Gath, E.M., and Hayden, R., 1994, Techniques of liquefaction
mitigation; Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, "Earthquake Basics° series, 7 p., 20 35
mm slides.
3a
Selected ECI Client Contacts
Terra Nova Planning and Research
400 S. Farrell, Suite B -205
Palm Springs, CA 92262
John Criste
760/320 -9040
760/322 -2760 (fax)
(La Quints, Palm Desert, and Cathedral City Safety Elements)
County of Riverside
Wayne Harrison, County Geologist
4080 Lemon St.
Riverside, CA 92502
909/955 -3211
909/955 -3157 (fax)
The Planning Center
1580 Metro Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Richard Ramella
714/966 -9220
714/966 -9221 (fax)
(County of Riverside)
Cotton /Bridges/Associates
747 East Green St., Suite 300
Pasadena, CA 91101
Laura Stetson
626/304 -0102
626/304 -0402 (fax)
(Cities of Moorpark, Brea and Rancho Santa Margarita)
City of Glendale
633 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91206
Kathy Duarte or James Glaser
818/548 -2115 or 2140
818/240 -0392 (fax)
(Additional references available upon request)
�I
The Newaort Beach Hazard Assessment Team
Key personnel who will be assigned to the Newport Beach Hazards Assessment Study are
identified below. For more specific information about these individuals, refer to their resumes
later in the Statement of Qualifications.
Tania Gonzalez,
Ms. Gonzalez has over 13 years experience in site evaluation and geological
RG, CEG
feasibility studies. Ms. Gonzalez has managed or prepared the seismic,
Project Consultant
geologic and flooding sections of dozens of Technical Background Reports
Ms. Gonzalez will be the
for Safety Elements. She has also prepared the geologic, sdsnnic and
principal researcher and
environmental (hazardous wee) sectors of Environmental impact Reports
manager for this project
for numerous development projects in southern California. She has
She will also conduct the
participated in many faut- trenching investigations, and conducts soil -
seismic portion of the
strebgraphic and geomorphic studies to characterize the recency of activity of
study,
faulting.
Kay St. Peters, RG,
Ms. St. Peters has geotechnical experience on numerous residential and
CEG
commercial development projects in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bemardlnoand
Project Consultant
Riverside Counties. Her projects have included large hillside developments
Ms. St. Peters will
from feasibility through mass grading phases, major road alignments, landslide
conduct the gectecinnical
investigations and treatment, site - specific fault studies for school and residential
,.; assessment with
developments, and distressed structure Investigations. In recent years, she
emphasis on slope
has acquired considerable geotechnlcal experience with redevelopment in
stability and oil field
abandoned and active oil fields. Ms. St. Peters also has been part of several
issuaq,
teams to update Safety Elements and prepare environmental impact reports
and land use studies.
Richard Laton, PhD.
Dr. Laton has over ten years of professional consulting and project
Project Consultant
management experience. His areas of consulting specialization include
Dr. Laton will conduct
hydrogeology, hydrology, wastewater, wetlands, coastal monitoring, and
the coastal studies for
environmental remote sensing. Dr. Laton is also well versed in GIS -based
this project, and will
mapping "am and HAWS software packages. As such, he is responsible
manage the GIS effort.
for managing the extensive GIS input, analysts and production of the hazards
maps that forth the basis of our Safety Elements and similar planning
documents.
Eldon Gath, Mr. Gath has over twenty years of experience in the identification,
RG, CEG Investigation, and remediation of geologic hazards involving land use
Principal Geologist planning, environmental assessments, field exploration and analysis, and
Mr. Gath will provide presentation of findings. His experience in the translation of geologic and
QAlQC review and seismic hazards into municipal policy and mitigation spans public agencies,
technical overview of the private developers, and research. He has represented both private and pubic
project, and will review plea in the preparation or review of dozens of Safety Elements, and
the City's existing safety Environmental Impact Reports for projects covering new freeways, harbor
policies and programs. expansions, landfills, large housing developments, water infrastructure, and
large commercial, industrial, and recreational facilities.
Gunnar Kuepper Mr. Kuepper is an expert in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and
Sub- Consultant business continuity programs. His specialty is aviation disaster
Mr. Kuepperwill address Preparedness. He has consulted with and addressed organizations world-
aviation hazards wide.
,�a
ECI Profile
Earth Consultants Intemational is a new
type of service company, operating on the cutting edge
of technical consulting. Our mission is two -fold:
To help our clients develop solutions to their
complex earth science problems; and
To translate the latest scientific understanding
so that it can be put to best use.
Earth Consultants Intemational unites the state- of- the-art knowledge and research
talents of academia with the tested and practical management skills of industry. We bring to each
project the determination and particular skills needed to succeed. At Earth Consultants
International, each employee is hand - picked and we are structured as a 'virtual company." We
focus on the structure of the project, not the structure of the corporation. Project teams assemble
at the proposal stage, come together to accomplish your needs, and disband when the project Is
completed. Our unique makeup enables us to:
1. conduct work wherever you are, tailored to your needs and budget;
2. draw from the technical expertise of all members of our company plus our networks of
professional associates; and
3. produce technically superior reports and professional opinions.
The projects we are typically involved with are engineering or land planning projects, either
existing or proposed. ECI has consulted on earthquake risk, development constraints, public
safety planning, hazard management programs, siting and design of critical infrastructure facilities,
prehistoric archeological settings, ground water, and geologic research programs.
Earth Consultants Intemational is based out of Orange County, California, but we have
a broadly distributed staff and an international client base. We seek and promote strategic
alliances or partnership agreements with individuals, universities and companies wherever we
work. The professionals that form Earth Consultants International have worked closely and well
together for more than a decade, and have over 100 years combined experience in the consulting
and academic arenas.
Selected Proiect Experiences
3q
Natural Hazard Mapping, Analysis, and Mitigation
for the Public Safety Element of the Riverside County General Plan
Client: The Planning Center
1580 Metro Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Riverside County must
confront many hazards,
including wildfires,
debris flows, landslides,
floods, soil settlement
and wind damage.
Seismically, the heavily
populated western half
of the County is at
`ground zero, , at risk
from all the principal
faults of the southern
San Andreas fault
system.
Contact: Mr. Richard Ramella
Phone: (949) 966 -9220
Completed: 8/2000
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We performed HAZUS m loss estimations for a suite of scenario earthquakes (above,
right). We prepared a GIS -based data base and maps, including hazard maps of faults,
seismicity, landslide and liquefaction susceptibility, and zones prone to floods, dam
inundation, wildfire (above) or wind erosion. Our Technical Report explains each hazard
in lay terms, documents our mapping methodology, outlines the legal and regulatory
framework for each hazard (federal, state, county and local), and discusses mitigation
issues and opportunities. Working in close coordination with the County, we developed a
Safety Element that complements other elements of Riverside County's General Plan, and
makes heavy use of the WEB for mitigation, staff efficiency and public education.
Prepared for the Department of Regional Planning,
County of Riverside, California
2522 -B N. Santiago a Orange a California a 92867 -USA a www.card=nsidtants.com
35
Public Safety Element and Hazard Management Planning
for the City of Santa Monica's General Plan
Client: Department of Program
& Policy Development
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407
Santa Monica is essentially "built
out, " and now tackles complex re-
development issues. The City has a
rich architectural heritage, with many
older buildings. Some of these have
already sustained noteworthy damage
in recent southern California
earthquakes that occurred many
kilometers distant. The City remains at
riskfrom faults closer to home.
Located on the coast, Santa Monica is
also concerned with coastal erosion
and the developmentproblems ofan old
and crumbling coastal bluff.
Components of this project included
hazardous material inventory and
release response planning, coastal bluff
stabilization, an unreinforced masonry
building survey, a structural retrofit
ordinance, evaluation of growth
patterns and hazardous development
disincentives, identification of lifelines,
evacuation routes and emergency
shelters, earthquake hazard
identification, and earthquake response,
reconstruction and recovery planning.
Our study resulted in reclassification of
the Santa Monica fault as an active
seismic hazard. We ensured that
planning staff was fully apprised, in
advance of a Southern California
Earthquake Center press release about
the Santa Monica fault. Development
restrictions were implemented in the
new fault hazard zones.
Contact: Mr. Paul Foley
Phone: (310) 458 -8585
Completion: February, 1995
This project required an exceptionally close
working relationship with many city
departments, including engineering, planning,
emergency services and fire. Then, during the
Safety Element review period, the magnitude
6.7 Northridge earthquake struck, causing
extensive structural damage in Santa Monica
and testing much of the draft Safety Element.
Several of the programs were immediately
implemented.. At the City's request, right after
the earthquake we served as an information
resource for displaced citizens. Throughout the
emergency period, we provided guidance to city
emergency response officials. We participated
in many City Council sessions, and assisted in
creating Santa Monica's mandatory seismic
retrofit ordinance.
Mill
2522 -B N. Santiago • Orange • California • 92867 • USA • www.earthconsultants.com
YO
Hazard Identification and Management Report
for the City of Moorpark's General Plan Safety Element
Client: Cotton/Beland Associates Contact: Ms. Laura Stetson
747 E. Green St., Ste. 300 Phone: (626) 304 -0102
Pasadena, CA 91101 Completion: August, 2000
The City of Moorpark has traditionally
been a farming community, with
development in the lowlands, and with
many areas still undeveloped.
Recently, outside developers have
shown much interest in converting this
area into a bedroom community.
Recent Ventura County legislation has
slowed development in agricultural
areas. This has given the City time to
better define zoning with emphasis on
identifying and planningfor hazards.
The Simi -Santa Rose and Oakridge
faults flank the City, much as the
Sierra Madre and Raymond faults
dank Pasadena, creating potential for
very strong ground motions. In the
developed part of Moorpark where
there are several hazardous material
sites, shallow groundwater and young
sediments make liquefaction likely.
This same area is also at risk to
flooding during severe storms.
Some hilly areas of Moorpark are
prone to landslides and wildland fires.
Where there is no buffer between
undeveloped, vegetated areas and
densely developed areas, wildland
fires can cross over and cause
tremendous structural damage.
Detailed internal review of
development plans help to insure that
the proposals are compliant with the
City's hazard management goals,
ploicies, and standards.
In addition to addressing the seismic,
geologic, flooding and fire hazards in the
Moorpark area, we performed HAZUSTm
loss estimations for earthquake scenarios on
the Simi -Santa Rosa and Oakridge faults.
Also, recognizing the significant fire hazard
for this area, we provided the City with a list
of programs and actions that can be
implemented to reduce this hazard. These
include ways to educate and encourage
property owners to create and maintain fire -
safe landscapes.
-�
CollsulFd t
il$eRl*M
2522 -B N. Santiago • Orange • California • 92867 • USA • www.emlhconsultants.com ��
ti
_ s
In addition to addressing the seismic,
geologic, flooding and fire hazards in the
Moorpark area, we performed HAZUSTm
loss estimations for earthquake scenarios on
the Simi -Santa Rosa and Oakridge faults.
Also, recognizing the significant fire hazard
for this area, we provided the City with a list
of programs and actions that can be
implemented to reduce this hazard. These
include ways to educate and encourage
property owners to create and maintain fire -
safe landscapes.
-�
CollsulFd t
il$eRl*M
2522 -B N. Santiago • Orange • California • 92867 • USA • www.emlhconsultants.com ��
Earth Consultants International conducted a seismic Hazard Evaluation and Mitigation Plan (SHEMP) for two
segntertts of the existing El Paw pipeline in southern California, namely Line Nos. 1904 and 1903. Line No. 1904 extends
from near Wheeler Ridge on the west to Daggett on the east, and Lim No. 1903 extends from Daggett southeastward
to Blythe, and on to the Caldbmi&Arizona state line. The primary objective was to identify locations along the pipelines
that are most likely to fail due to ground deformation.
Specific tasks conducted for the El Paso Pipeline stud
Fault Crossings- Identified which sections of the pipe-
lines extend across or are near mapped fault traces. The I - -
fault locations were geocoded and digitized to prepare GAS -
based strip maps showing the pipelines' right-cif-way n `
(ROW( at the fault crossings
Fault Rupture Dynamics Estimated the amount of
vertical and / or horizontal offset anticipated at each
fault crossing should that fault rupture during an
earthquake
Liquefaction Susceptibility. conducted a generaued
liquefaction susceptibility assessment at those locations
along the ROW where population might be at risk should
the pipeline break due to liquefaction4nduced ground
deformation.
Landslide Hazards Prepared a slope distribution map
for the entire ROW to single out the areas with topographic
relief that are also near population centers. From this map,
we Identified the pipeline segments that could be impacted
by landsiiding or other unstable slope conditions.
The data compiled for this study indicates that El Paw
Line Nos. 1904 and 1903 extend across or near 18 fault
zones. Nine of these fault zones are active and six are
considered potentially active. The estimated displace-
ments across the faults, should they rupture the ground
surface during an earthquake, vary widely, some faults
may slip only a few centimeters, while others, such as
the Garlock fault may rupture as much as 10 meters
laterally.
The section of pipeline that extends through Barstow
has a high probability of being impacted by any or all
three of the hazards assessed., fault rupture, liquefaction
and slope instability. Barstow is also the largest popula-
Ex Paw Pipeline No. 1904 extending through the Tejon
Ranch area. The figure illustrates the section of pipeline
that may be deformed dux to surface fault rupture
(yelknv), landslxding (blue), or liquefaction (green).
tion center along the entire section of pipeline ad-
dressed, therefore, the pipeline poses a substantial risk to
the area, unless properly designed to accommodate the
ground deformations anticipated. ECI recommended
strengthening the pipe relocating a Shut -off valve that
had been placed within an area susceptible to liquefac-
tion and installing automatic Shutoff valves at specific
locations along this section of pipeline.
Earth
Consultants
International
2522 N. Santiago Blvd, Suite B • Orange • California n 92867 ,
714.282.6121 • www.earthconsultants.com
J
ap Fault
f
� Tefm Pa h Ann
p
Om.Fr �
Ex Paw Pipeline No. 1904 extending through the Tejon
Ranch area. The figure illustrates the section of pipeline
that may be deformed dux to surface fault rupture
(yelknv), landslxding (blue), or liquefaction (green).
tion center along the entire section of pipeline ad-
dressed, therefore, the pipeline poses a substantial risk to
the area, unless properly designed to accommodate the
ground deformations anticipated. ECI recommended
strengthening the pipe relocating a Shut -off valve that
had been placed within an area susceptible to liquefac-
tion and installing automatic Shutoff valves at specific
locations along this section of pipeline.
Earth
Consultants
International
2522 N. Santiago Blvd, Suite B • Orange • California n 92867 ,
714.282.6121 • www.earthconsultants.com
J
Resumes
11
Tania Gonzalez, M.S., RG, CEG
Project Geologist
(714) 282 -6123, Tgonzalez@earthconsultants.com
Ms. Gonzalez has over 13 years experience in site evaluation and geological feasibility
studies. She has managed and prepared dozens of planning studies with emphasis on
geological hazard mitigation. She has extensive experience in using soil- stratigraphic and
geomorphic techniques to estimate the age of paled- surfaces and to characterize the recency
of activity of faulting. She has also successfully coordinated and managed complex field
studies that involved mobilizing several subcontractors and field personnel at once. Her
experience includes field mapping, logging and documenting trenches and excavations,
drilling (auger and rotary), and down -hole logging of bucket borings for landslide and fault
studies.. She has experience in absolute and relative dating techniques, including radiometric,
thermoluminescence, and paleomagnetic sampling and interpretation. She is fluent in
Spanish.
EDUCATION
M.S. Geology (Engineering Geology Option), Texas A&M University 1989
B.S. Geology (Engineering Geology Option), Texas A&M University,
Minor in Anthropology 1986
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
1994 /Registered Geologist/Califomia/RG 5868
1994 /Certified Engineering Geologist /Califomia/CEG 1859
40 -Hour OSHA Certified Health and Safety Training
First Aid and CPR Training
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Manager and Principal Investigator, Technical Background Report for
the Safety Element for the City of Chino Hills. The project included identifying the
seismic hazards, geologic hazards, flooding, fire hazards and hazardous waste issues
applicable to the City, and recommending goals, policies, and programs that the City
could implement to reduce the impact posed by these hazards. The City of Chino Hills
is underlain by soft bedrock, typically interbedded shales, siltstones and sandstones, that
are locally tightly folded These geologic units are extremely susceptible to fail under the
influence of gravity, as evidenced by the hundreds of landslides present in the hilly areas
of the City. The known and suspect landslides were mapped at a scale of 1" = 800'.
Project Manager, Technical Background Reports for the Revised Safety Elements
for the cities. of Garden Grove, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot
Springs, Big Bear Lake, Calimesa, and the Town of Yucca Valley. The projects
included analysis of geological and cultural data, preparation of site vulnerability
scenarios applicable to critical facilities, and evaluation the seismic risk posed by active
and potentially active faults in the region.
qI
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
Project Manager and Principal Investigator, Safety Element for the City of
Pasadena, California (ongoing). The City of Pasadena is one of the most vibrant and
economically important cities in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, home to marry large
national and international corporations. Pasadena is also located between two active
faults, the Siena Madre fault to the north, and the Raymond fault to the south. Loss
estimation analyses for earthquake scenarios on these two faults indicate that the City of
Pasadena is likely to be impacted significantly should either one of these faults break in a
large, maximum credible earthquake. The northern and western portions of the City are
_ also susceptible to wildfires, which, given the right Santa Ana wind conditions, could
cause significant damage at and near the interface with the built environment. The
Technical Background Report to the Safety Element discusses these and other hazards
specific to Pasadena, and provides a vulnerability assessment of the city's critical
facilities. The Policy document (currently in preparation) will identify goals, policies and
programs that can be implemented to reduce the City's risk, making Pasadena more
resistant to natural hazards.
Project Manager and Principal Investigator, Technical Background Report for
the Safety Element for the City of Moorpark. The City of Moorpark is a fast - growing
community that is undergoing significant new residential and commercial development.
The older section of town is located on the floodplain of Arroyo Simi, an area
susceptible to liquefaction and flooding. The newer residential communities are being
located on the hills at the base of the southern Oakridge Mountains. Some of these
areas are susceptible to landsliding. The Oakridge fault is located about 2 miles north of
the City, while the Simi -Santa Rosa fault system extends across the southern portion of
the City. Both of these faults have the potential to generate very strong ground motions
in the area should they rupture in an earthquake. Many portions of Moorpark or its
sphere of influence are also in a high wildland fire hazard area. Finally, there are four oil
fields in the study area; some of these are now abandoned and likely to be developed for
residential purposes in the not too distant future. The Technical Background Report
included a discussion of the city's susceptibility to these and other hazards, the potential
impact to lifelines and critical structures, and discussed various mitigation strategies that
can be used to formulate hazard reduction plans and policies that promote safe,
environmentally sensitive development.
Project Manager, Technical Background Report for the Safety Elements for the
Cities of Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta, Cathedral City, Rancho
Mirage and Big Bear Lake. Each one of these individual reports addresses the
seismic, geologic and flooding hazards specific to the project city, with emphasis on the
potential for the San Andreas fault to break within the next about 20 to 30 years. Other
hazards addressed include liquefaction, groundwater extraction induced subsidence,
earthquake - induced rockfalls, and wind erosion potential.
Project Geologist, Seismic hazards Sections of the Revised Safety Elements for
the Cities of Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, and Rolling Hills Estates. The
projects included researching the active and potentially active faults that have the
potential of impacting these cities, calculating the peak ground accelerations that
different magnitude earthquakes could generate at these cities, and assessing the potential
for surface ground rupture and liquefaction. Goals, policies and programs that could be
Page 2
T. Gonzalez
Projecc Geologist
implemented by the cities to reduce the risk posed by these seismic hazards were
provided Some of these cities, like Culver City, Burbank, and Rolling Hills Estates have
significant slope instability issues. The known landslides were mapped, and
recommendations were provided for both the City and homeowners to reduce the
hazard of landsliding and soil erosion.
Project Manager, fault trenching study in the Newport Mesa, across strands of
the Newport- Inglewood fault. The three -month long field project involved the
excavation and logging of over 2,400 lineal feet of trenches and field mapping of 2,000
lineal feet of natural exposures along the bluffs to locate faults of the Newport-
Inglewood fault system The faults exposed were evaluated as to their recency of activity
using soil strarigraphic techniques and their association with cultural deposits of pre-
historic age. One of the faults exposed was determined to have ruptured at least once in
the Holocene. Structural setbacks were recommended for this fault. The other faults
exposed were determined to have been inactive for at least 80,000 years. The main
active Newport- Inglewood fault projects immediately south of the site.
Co- Project Manager and Field Geologist, fault trenching and mapping study of
the Ford - Otosan Plant near Golguk, Turkey, after the August 17, 1999 M 7.4
earthquake. The earthquake caused considerable damage at the Ford - Otosan
automobile assembly plant, which was under construction at the time. Management
halted construction and retained ECI to conduct a seismic risk analysis of the site to
evaluate the probability of another similar earthquake occurring during the lifetime of the
plant. As part of the study we mapped surface fault ruptures, with vertical offsets of
between 1 and 2.35 meters, and lateral offsets of as much as 1.2 meters, along the
southern perimeter of the property. We also mapped the faults and fractures in the area
where the main plant buildings were located to determine that the 1.5 meters of
subsidence and synclinal warping were associated with secondary faulting associated with
a step in the main fault. In the seaward side of the property, we mapped an extensive
zone where lateral spreading and slumping occurred Our field mapping was
supplemented with review of aerial photographs taken shortly after the earthquake,
before wave action and vehicular traffic destroyed some of the evidence. Our
paleoseismic studies and review of historical records indicated that at least two other
similar earthquakes occurred in the area of the Ford Otosan plant in the last 500 years, in
AD 1509, and AD 1719, suggesting a predictable and regular pattern of surface rupture.
Based on these findings, we concluded that the Ford- Otosan plant has a low probability
of experiencing another similar earthquake in the next 50 to 100 years. However, it is
likely to experience smaller earthquakes (aftershocks) generated by the same fault system,
and lower, attenuated ground motions as a result of earthquakes on other faults some
distance from the site.
Project Manager for a feasibility study of a property in Yorba Linda, California
that is characterized by extensive landsliding and faulting associated with the
Whittier fault. An 800 -acre plus property in the southern flank of the Puente Hills has
been proposed for development of residential purposes. The property includes two east -
west trending ridges separated by a blue -line stream Our preliminary study included
aerial photo interpretation and reconnaissance field mapping. We identified two graben -
like features in the southeastern portion of the site that appear to be part of a sackungen-
type of failure. Several other landslides were recognized from the aerial photographs and
Page 3 3
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
confirmed from our field review. The Whittier fault is also mapped across the southern
portion of the site. Based on our geologic constraints mapping, the civil engineers
prepared a revised concept plan that addressed, and avoided, where appropriate the fault
and significant landslides. At the request of the client, we then prepared estimates of the
amount of remedial grading that would be required to remove the landslide materials and
replace with compacted fill.
Project Manager, Study on the Potential for Surface Fault Rupture and
Liquefaction - Induced Lateral Spreading to Impact the Section of a Proposed
Natural Gas Pipeline between Twentynine Palms and Long Beach, California.
An existing petroleum pipeline is to be converted to a high- pressure natural gas pipeline.
The pipeline crosses 23 active fault zones, and several potential liquefaction zones and
active landslides. We were asked to better define the location of the fault crossings,
estimate the fault displacements in the event of fault rupture at each of the fault
crossings, and evaluate which segments of the pipeline would be under compression or
under tension as a result of fault rupture. We also identified those sections of pipeline
that extend across potentially liquefiable terrain, and for five areas, estimated the amount
of displacement that could be expected if lateral spreading occurred during an
earthquake. The structural engineers used our estimates to evaluate which sections of
pipeline need to be retrofitted or replaced to reduce the potential for failure during a
seismic event. We worked closely with the engineers to identify the area where
automatic shutoff valves are most appropriate based on the likelihood of that section of
pipeline breaking during its expected lifetime, and the population density near that
section of pipe. Finally, we provided technical assistance during presentations to the
California Division of Mmes and Geology and the State Lands Commission.
Project Manager for a geomorphic assessment of possible faulting on a secondary
splay of the San Andreas fault in the Highland area of southem California. Fault -
like features were discovered during the preliminary phases of construction of a critical
facility on a ridge north of the main branches of the San Andreas fault. We were asked
to review these features to evaluate whether or not they could be active faults that would
require structural setbacks. Our study included aerial photo review and interpretation to
look for features that would suggest active faulting and landsliding in the area, combined
with field mapping of elevated terraces and soil -age estimates of the surface where these
features were discovered. The features themselves were mapped to determine whether
there was lateral or vertical separation of stratigraphic layers across the features, and
block samples of the features were collected for thin- section analysis. The data indicated
that these features had no geomorphic signature either in the photographs or in the field.
The features also did not offset the geologic deposits that contained them The thin
sections showed that the features were lined with mineral deposits in a radial pattern
suggestive, in cross- section, of tree root materials. Based on all these data combined, we
concluded that these features were not faults, and therefore, that structural setbacks
from them were not required North of the facility, we identified several potential
landslides and recommended additional studies should that area is developed in the
future.
Project Manager, Baseline Seismic and Geologic Study for a 300 -acre property in
the city of La Verne. Project included a desktop study and site reconnaissance to
assess the seismic, geologic and geotechnical feasibility of developing the property. A
Page 4 " `j
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
detailed review of aerial photographs was conducted to assess the possibility of faults
and landslides occurring at the site. The property is intersected by a series of east -west
lineaments that appear to be related to old, possible not active strands of the Sierra
Madre fault. The entire western and northwestern portion of the site has previously
mapped as a large bedrock landslide. Areas where additional geotechnical studies would
be required to further characterize the possible landslide area were provided
Project Manager for two fault hazard investigations in downtown San Diego,
along the projection of the Rose Canyon fault. The first study consisted of trenching
in the street in front of the property in question to evaluate whether faults associated
with the Rose Canyon fault extend beneath the site. Sediments of the Bay Point
formation, locally with strongly developed soils, were exposed in the trench Minor
folding of the deeper layers was observed near the eastern end of the trench, but no
faults were exposed The second study approximately four streets to the south consisted
of excavating two trenches, one in an east -west direction, and the other in a north -south
direction, again in the street. Very loose historical and late Holocene sediments were
exposed to depth in sections of the trenches, making the excavations unstable.
Therefore, to investigate these areas for faults, we drilled several closely spaced, large -
diameter bucket borings. The borings were downhole logged. A fault juxtaposing
sediments of the San Diego Formation against possible Ardath Shale was exposed in one
of the borings. Trenching in the area exposed recent alluvial sediments down - dropped
into the fault zone. Radiocarbon dating of the sediments indicate that the last surface
rupturing event occurred less than 3,200 years ago.
Field Project Manager for a seismic hazard investigation of the San Bernardino
Valley College to locate the active traces of the San Jacinto fault for campus
redevelopment planning. The San Bernardino Valley College campus in San
Bernardino was constructed upon an elevated pressure ridge (the Bunker Hill Dike)
formed along the San Jacinto fault. As part of an overall campus redevelopment
planning, this study was undertaken to quantify the fault rupture hazard through the
SBVC. In addition to the threat posed by surface rupture, other secondary seismic
impacts were addressed, including liquef action, shaking amplification, and ground
deformation due to folding. The project involved the excavation of eight trenches
within the campus area to expose the traces of the San Jacinto fault, completion of ten
boreholes to depths of 50-100 feet coupled with nearly 100 cone penetrometer tests, and
shear wave velocity profiling of the borings.
Field Manager for a fault hazard investigation of the northern San Jacinto fault
within the Lytle Creek drainage in Rialto to locate the active traces of the fault,
and quantify probable displacement magnitudes for bridge structure design. The
purpose of the study was to quantify the fault rupture hazard of the northern segment of
the San Jacinto fault where several new freeway bridge structures are proposed for the I-
210 extension in San Bernardino County (Foothill Freeway). The project included a
subsurface trenching investigation across the major bridge locations to screen the area
for secondary faults.
Field Geologist, detailed fault investigation, Las Posas Hills, Camarillo, Ventura
County. As part of the study we located the Springville fault, and characterized
the frequency and magnitude of activity. Worked closely with Dr. Thomas Rockwell
Page 5 ✓
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
to prepare a soil chronosequence for the Las Posas Anticline, and determined based on
soil age relationships, that the hills started to uplift about 80 -120 thousand years ago. In
addition to the main Springville fault, the west- facing flank of the Las Posas Hills is
comprised of steeply dipping sandstone. Bedding -plane faults are common. We
conducted extensive trenching in this area to characterize the recency of activity of these
bedding plane faults.
Principal Investigator and Project Geologist, Geotechnical and environmental
(hazardous materials /waste) portions, Environmental Impact Report, Holly Hills
Storm Drain, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles. Assessed the
short -term (during construction) and long -term (operational) impacts associated with the
7 -mile storm-drain corridor, including. potential for fault rupture, strong ground shaking
from buried thrust faults, liquefaction potential, compressible organic soils, high ground
water and stability of the excavation during construction, presence of methane and
contaminants associated with oil fields, and migration of hydrocarbon products from
leaking underground storage tanks and broken pipelines.
Principal Investigator and Project Geologist, Geotechnical and Environmental
(Hazardous Waste) sections of the Environmental Impact Report, City of
Industry Materials Transfer Facility. , Drilled, logged and sampled several small-
diameter borings to evaluate the liquefaction potential of the underlying soils; addressed
the geotechnical constraints associated with the organic -rich soils that occur in the near
surface; and provided site - specific mitigation measures.
Project Manager and Project Geologist, Geotechnical And Environmental
Assessment for Feasibility of Development, Olinda Ranch Elementary School
Site, Brea. Assessed the potential for strong ground motions and coseismic fault
rupture, evaluated the potential impacts of methane and hydrogen sulfide associated with
existing oil wells, and potential pesticide and herbicide contamination of the soils in an
area historically used as a plant nursery.
Field Geologist, Preliminary geological investigation, 800 -acre project, West
Coyote Hills, cities of Fullerton and La Habra. Geotechnical field mapping, and
coordination and drilling of small- diameter, hollow stem borings to evaluate removal
quantities for compressible materials in the canyon bottoms.
Project Manager, Study on the Potential for Surface Fault Rupture, Liquefaction -
Induced Lateral Spreading and Landsliding along the California Section of the El
Paso Pipeline between the California- Arizona border and Wheeler Ridge. The
existing petroleum pipeline will be converted to a high- pressure natural gas pipeline.
We were retained to identify those sections of the pipeline that cross faults, liquefaction -
susceptible areas, and unstable slope areas. A total of 18 known faults were identified;
11 of these were deemed active. The most significant fault crossing is the Garlock fault,
which may move laterally as much as 10 feet during the next event. Of the liquefaction -
susceptible areas identified, the section of pipe near Barstow, along the Mojave River
was deemed the most vulnerable to this hazard. Given the population of the area, this is
also the area at most risk of being impacted should the pipeline break. Engineering
strengthening of the pipe and increased number of automatic shut -off valves were
recommended at specific mileposts to reduce the hazards identified
Page 6 1
SUMMARIZED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Fault Trenching and Technical Background Studies
Geomorphic Studies for Environmental Impact
Reports and Land Use Studies
Springville fault, Spanish Hills,
Camarillo
Whittier fault, Brea -Olinda oil
field, various leases
Newport- Inglewood fault, Signal
Hill and Long Beach oil fields
San Jacinto fault,
San Bernardino Valley College,
San Bernardino
Rose Canyon fault system,
downtown San Diego
Murrieta Hot Springs fault,
Temecula area
Simi fault system, off Tierra
Rejada Road
Peralta Hills fault system, Serrano
Heights area
Whittier fault,
Whittier Oil Field
Newport- Inglewood fault,
Newport Beach
Newport- Inglewood fault,
Huntington Beach
San Andrea fault zone north of
Highland, California
Lusk Marblehead Coastal
Property, San Clemente
Holly Hills Storm Drain,
West Hollywood, Beverly Hills,
and Los Angeles
Olinda Heights Project, Brea
Materials Transfer Facility,
City of Industry
Fifth Train, ARGO Refinery,
City of Carson
Proposed Amendment to the
Crenshaw Development Plan, City
of Los Angeles
Hidden Creek Ranch Project, near
Moorpark, Ventura County
Fox Field Industrial Corridor
Specific Plan, City of Lancaster
Proposed Expansion of Section of
Highway 101, Ventura and Los
Angeles Counties
North LaVerne properties
Murdock Properties
nearYnrha T.inda
Steams OR Field, Brea
Olinda Ranch Elementary School
Site, Brea
West Coyote Oil Field, Fullerton
and La Habra
Signal Hill
Newport- Banning Oil Field,
Newport Beach
Hidden Creek Ranch Project, near
Moorpark, Ventura County
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
Technical Background
Studies for Safety
Elements
Desert Hot Springs
Big Bear Lake
Rancho Mirage
Garden Grove
Chino Hills
Calimesa
Town of Yucca Valley
Santa Monica
Culver City
Burbank
Cathedral City
Rolling Hills Estates
Los Angeles County
Page 7 � 1
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
PUBLICATIONS
Gonzalez, T., Sieh., K., Dawson, T., Altunel, E., and Barka, A., 2000, Faulting and
Ground Subsidence at the Fort- Otosan Plant Near GolA Turkey as a result of the
August 17, 1999 KoaA, Earthquake (abs.): Pacific Section Convention and
Western Regional Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists an
Society of Petroleum Engineers, held in Long Beach, California, June 19 -22, 2000.
Gath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., and Sieh, K, 1998, Earthquake risk assessment at San
Bernardino Valley College: hazard mitigation astride the San Jacinto fault in Southern
California (abs): Seismic Safety of Big Cities, Earthquake Prognostics World Forum,
International Commission on Earthquake Prognostics and the Turkish Earthquake
Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey, p. TMS -3.
Gath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., Drumm, P.L., and Buchiarelli, P., 1994, A paleoseismic
investigation at the northern terminus of the Whittier Fault Zone, in the Whittier
Narrows area, Rosemead, California: Technical Report to the Southern California
Earthquake Center.
Bausch, D.B., and Gonzalez, T., 1994, Pattern of Damage in the City of Santa Monica
from the Mw 6.7 Northridge Earthquake, Seismological Society of America Program
for Northridge Abstracts, 89th Annual Meeting, Pasadena, April 5 -7, No. 28.
Mathewson, C.C., Gonzalez, T., and Eblen, J.S., 1992, Burial as a Method of
Archaeological Site Protection, Contract Report EL -92 -1, US Amry Engineer
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Bausch, D., Gath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., Dolan, J., and Sieh, K., 1992, Application of New
Developments in Seismic Hazard Assessment Revised Safety Element of the General
Plan, City of Santa Monica, California: Abstracts with Programs, 1992 Annual
Meeting of the Association of Engineering Geologists, held in Long Beach,
California, October 2 -9, 1992.
Gath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., and Rockwell, T.K-, 1992, Evaluation of the Late Quaternary
Rate of Slip, Whittier Fault, Southern California: U.S. Geological Survey Final
Technical Report, NEHRP Contract No. 14 -08- 0001 -G 1696, 24p.
Gonzalez, T., Rockwell, T.K., and Gath, E., 1992, Exploratory Excavations for Fault
Investigations: Logging Techniques: Abstracts with Programs, 1992 Annual Meeting
of the Association of Engineering Geologists, held in Long Beach, California,
October 2 -9, 1992.
Gath, E.M., Gonzalez, T., and Rockwell, T.K., 1992, Slip Rate of the Whittier Fault
Based on 3 -D Trenching at Brea, Southern California: Abstracts with Programs, The
Geological Society of America 88th Annual Cordilleran Section, v. 24, no. 5, p. 26
Gonzalez, T. and Rockwell, T.K-, 1991, Holocene Activity of the Springville Fault in
Camarillo, Transverse Ranges, Southern California; Preliminary Observations; in
Blake, T.F. and Larson, R.A (eds.), Engineering Geology along the Simi-Santa Rose (�
Page 8 � 0
T. Gonzalez
Project Geologist
Fault System and Adjacent Areas, Simi Valley to Camarillo, Ventura County,
California; Field Trip Guidebook of the 1991 Annual Field Trip, Southern California
Section, Association of Engineering Geologists, pp. 369 -383.
Gonzalez, T., 1989, Appendix A: Interdisciplinary Bibliography on the Cultural, Physical,
Chemical, and Biological Factors Affecting Archaeological Sites; in Mathewson, C.
(ed.), Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Physical - Chemical- Biological Processes
Affecting Archaeological Sites, Contract Report EL -89, U.S. Army Engineer Water
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Mathewson, CC, and Gonzalez, T., 1988, Protection and Preservation of
Archaeological Sites through Burial; in Marinos, P.G. and Koukis, G.C. (eds.),
Proceedings of An International Symposium on The Engineering Geology of
Ancient Works, Monuments and Historical Sites: Preservation and Protection: A.A.
Balkema, Rotterdam, Vol. 1, pp. 519 -526.
Page 9 I I q
K. St. Peters
Project Consultant
Kay St. Peters, RG, CEG
Project Geologist
(714) 282 - 6124, k neters(caearthconsultants.com
Ms. St. Peters' 17 years of experience principally involves the evaluation of geologic impacts
on small to large residential, commercial, and public works projects. She has conducted and
supervised all phases of geological and geotechnical investigations including background
research, aerial photography interpretation, geologic mapping, exploratory drilling, soil
sampling, data analysis, development of mitigation measures, report preparation, and project
management. Her experience includes fault hazard studies for schools and residential
developments, geologic analysis of large hillside developments, slope stabilization studies,
evaluation of unstable foundation soils, landslide investigations and treatment, as well as
natural hazard mapping. She has considerable experience on earthwork construction sites, in
addition to working with property owners, developers, civil engineers, and public agencies.
More recently, she has applied her construction experience to site feasibility and
environmental impact studies, assisting design engineers and land planners in the early stages
of project development. She has also acquired considerable geotechnical experience with
redevelopment projects within southem California's active and abandoned oil fields. Ms. St.
Peters has been part of several teams to update Safety Elements and prepare environmental
impact reports and land use studies.
EDUCATION
B.S. Geological Sciences, California State University, Fullerton, California; 1984
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
1990 /Certified Engineering Geologist /California/CEG 1477
1990 /Registered Geologist/California/RG 4762
40 -Hour Hazardous Materials Certificate
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Geologist /Project Manager for a geological and geotechnical feasibility study,
Montebello Hills Oil Field, City of Montebello, California. This project design included
single and multifamily homes, senior housing, a school, a park site, two reservoirs and
commercial areas. For this investigation, we performed an aerial photo analysis, literature
review, detailed geologic mapping, exploratory drilling, and laboratory testing in order to
identify any geologic "fatal flaws" or constraints to planning and design of the project. The
geology and soil engineering characteristics of the site were then summarized in a report
suitable for future use in the environmental impact report for the project. The principal
geotechnical issues included natural and graded slope stability, seismic hazards, and
compressible soils.
Page 1 ��6
K. St. Peters
Project Consultant
Geologist /author for the Technical Background Report prepared for the City of
Moorpark Seismic Safety Element. Bounded by two major active fault systems, the City
of Moorpark is located in one of the most seismically active areas of California. Historically
an agricultural community, the city's valleys and gently rolling hills have experienced an
increase in residential and commercial development in recent years. North of the city,
moderate to steep hillside terrain is currently poised for several major hillside development
projects. As a result, the city must contend with the numerous natural hazards associated
with their area, including primary and secondary fault rupture, earthquake ground shaking
effects such as slope failures and liquefaction, unstable foundation soils, drainage and
flooding issues, landslides, and wildfires. The Technical Background Report included a
discussion of the city's susceptibility to these and other hazards, the potential impact to
lifelines and critical structures, and discussed various mitigation strategies that could be used
to formulate hazard reduction plans and policies on safe, environmentally sensitive
development
Geologist /Project Manager for several residential developments within the former
West Coyote Oil Field, a 700 -acre hillside area that spans portions of the cities of La
Habra, La Mirada and Fullerton, California. This extensive project included single- family
and multi- family housing units, an 18 -hole golf course, equestrian center, water reservoirs,
commercial areas and park sites, as well as the preservation of several canyons containing
coastal sage habitat and several endangered species. Our services included several phases of
field investigation in order to provide land planners and design engineers with
recommendations for creating grading designs that would utilize favorable geologic aspects
of the site while planning nonstructural development for the problematic areas. The most
significant impacts to the project were potentially active faults, numerous landslides,
potential instability in planned cut slopes, and thick deposits of compressible soils. These
issues were evaluated with over 150 exploratory trenches and borings that allowed
characterization of fault patterns and of the three - dimensional geometry of the landslides.
From this analysis, we developed a geologic structural model of the hills, analyzed the risk of
ground rupture and slope failure, and provided recommendations for design and
construction that would not impact habitat areas.
Geologist /Project Manager for the 280 -acre Olinda Ranch Project in the City of Brea,
California. Located in moderately to gently sloping hillside terrain, this project includes 660
new homes, a historic preservation site, community park, and trail corridors. The project is
sited within the Brea- Olinda Oil Field, one of the oldest oil fields in California. Oil field
facilities, including selected wells, tank farm, and infrastructure, will remain in operation and
have been incorporated into the design of the community. The development area lies
adjacent to the main trace of the active Whittier fault and encompasses several inactive,
subsidiary faults. Over 50 excavations were mapped, logged, and evaluated in order to
precisely locate the most active strands of this broad fault zone, both prior to and during
grading. Based on these excavations we were able to define specific setback limits for the
homes. This site has been particularly challenging to the design and earthwork construction
teams because of the presence of methane gas and naturally occurring oil seeps, as well as
the abundance of underground pipelines and other structures. Planning, investigation, and
analysis of the site required a strong, cooperative relationship with regulatory agencies, the
developer, the civil engineer, and the oil field operator.
Page 2 G,
K. St Peters
Project Consultant
Geologist /Project Manager for a 520 -acre hillside development (residential lots plus
water reservoirs) on the north flank of the Puente Hills in Los Angeles County,
California. Studies for this project, which included geologic mapping, drilling, soil sampling
and analysis, spanned a number of years, from the early planning stages through grading and
construction of infrastructure. Geologic impacts on the project included faulting, complex
geologic structure, cut slope stability, landslide stability and compressibility, settlement of
deep fills, and ground water seepage. In addition, the portions of the project constructed
adjacent to steep natural hillsides were analyzed for potential inundation from mudflow
during heavy winter storms. Based on this analysis, mudflow protection structures, such as
deflection walls, impact walls, and debris catchment basins were designed into the project.
Geologist /Project Manager for a multi -unit residential development on Signal Hill,
California. Signal Hill is situated within the Newport- Inglewood Fault Zone, a major
seismic hazard in the Los Angeles basin. It has also been a small, but highly productive oil
field since 1923. In addition to homes, the project included new streets, infrastructure, parks,
hiking trails, water reservoirs, and new oil drilling sites. Numerous geologic and
environmental issues, in addition to the complex logistics of working in an active oil field,
provided an interesting challenge for the design and construction team. The most significant
issues included precisely locating and evaluating active traces of the Cherry Hill and
Northeast Flank faults, potentially unstable slopes, densification of compressible soils,
_. treatment of contaminated soils, tracking earthwork quantities, and performing exploratory
and construction excavations in an area laced by a concentrated network of underground
piping and structures. The interdependent nature of these issues required dose
_. communication among the developer, project team members, contractors, oil field operator,
and regulatory agencies.
Geologist for the preliminary investigation of the 80 -acre Diamond Ranch High
School site, located in the City of Diamond Bar, California. Services included an
analysis of historical aerial photographs, geologic field mapping, logging of exploratory
borings and trenches, interpretation and analysis of the collected data, and development of
remedial grading measures. Principal concerns were the mitigation of large landslides and the
stabilization of cut slopes in steep terrain of the Puente Hills. The project included cut slopes
up to 200 feet high with design cuts up to 150 feet deep. A rods rippability and ground water
analysis were also crucial for the construction budget. This project required numerous
meetings with design team members, school board representatives, city personnel, and the
public.
Geologist for portions of the Newport Coast Development, a large, master - planned
residential community overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Crystal Cove State Park in
Newport Beach, California. Services for this project included planning, scheduling, and
conducting geologic mapping and exploratory excavations in steep, rugged terrain; analysis
of existing natural slopes as well as planned graded slopes; and preparation of preliminary
geological reports. This work required a cooperative effort between members of the client's
consultant team in order to develop viable solutions for safely building the project adjacent
to ecologically sensitive hills and canyons containing large landslides and difficult slope
stability issues.
Page 3 � A
K. St Peters
Project Consultant
Geologist for a portion of the Eastern Transportation Corridor through the Cities of
Orange and Tustin, California. Services included detailed geologic mapping, organizing
and conducting subsurface field investigations, and assisting in the preparation of the
materials report used for construction of the multi -lane corridors and East Orange
Interchange. This project, which included numerous bridges and a tunnel, passes through
some of the steepest terrain in the Santa Ana Mountains, resulting in cut slopes and fill
embankments in excess of 100 feet high.
Page 4 `
W. Richard Laton, Ph.D., RG
Senior Consultant
(714) 278 -7514, wlatonafullerton.edu; wlaton@earthconsultants.com
Dr. Laton is a groundwater geologist specializing in the evaluation of groundwater conditions
through modeling techniques. He has groundwater experience in Michigan, Minnesota, and
California. In addition to part time wont at Earth Consultants International, Dr. Laton is an
Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences, California State University Fullerton.
His teaching experience includes introductory and applied field hydrogeology, computer
groundwater modeling, water quality engineering, and oceanography. Dr. Laton also teaches short-
courses in the area of natural hazard analysis using FEMA's HAZUS software program.
Dr. Laton led Earth Consultants International's natural hazards mapping project for Riverside
County. In that capacity, he supervised the GIS -based effort to assemble and synthesize the natural
hazards of concern to the area, including seismic, flood, fire, landslide, liquefaction, faulting, and
dam inundation. He has also supervised the GIS/HAZUS efforts on several safety elements
including those for the City of Brea, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, the City of Pasadena and
the City of Fontana.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Hydrogeology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1997; (Dissertation
topic: Kalamazoo River Interaction near the Parchment Well Field)
M.S., Environmental Earth Science, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1992;
(Thesis topic Identification and Mapping of Small-Scale Coastal Cells)
B.S., Earth Science, Saint Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota; 1989
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
California Registered Geologist (RG -7098)
Certified Professional Geologist (C PG- 10544)
OSHA 40 -Hour Hazwoper Supervisors Course, active.
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Project Consultant, Safety Elements for the Cities of Pasadena, Fontana, Brea, and Rancho
Santa Margarita, California. Conducted analyses of flooding potential and hazardous waste
contamination potential for the cities listed above. This required a background review of surface
water management specific to each area, and flood mapping in urban and non -urban areas. The
flood mapping efforts included review of FEMA's 100 -year and 500 -year flood zones, and dam
failure inundation and assessment. For some cities, Dr. Laton also reviewed the location of above
ground water tanks relative to assess the inundation risk that these structures may pose on populated
areas. Vulnerability assessments were made for each hazard identified to categorize mitigation
priorities. The hazardous waste mapping portion included an extensive document search for
existing contaminated sites and sites that have the potential to cause accidental, non - authorized leaks
Page 1 5 q
W. Richard Laton, Ph.D.
Project Consultant
of contaminants, with the potential to impact the surrounding environment and community. Dr.
Laton developed a series of HAZUS earthquake scenarios for the cities and their spheres of
influence. Finally, Dr. Laton oversaw the natural hazard GIS mapping and database development
for each city.
GIS Manager for the Safety Element of the General Plan, Riverside County, California. In
conformance with California State law, the County of Riverside prepared a new Safety Element of
their General Plan. Earth Consultants International developed the Safety Element by combining the
Safety and Seismic Safety elements into one comprehensive document, in accordance with State
Government Section 65302(8). This Section, adopted in 1986, requires each local government to
maintain a Safety Element that addresses a variety of natural and man -made hazards, and that
contains goals and policies aimed at reducing the risk associated with these hazards. Dr. Laton
oversaw the development of the county-wide GIS database and the development of new hazard
maps.
Project Manager for the San Gabriel River Watershed - GPS and Observational Report on
the San Gabriel River from the Whittier Narrows region to Seal Beach, California.
Conducted a field investigation of the outfalls along the San Gabriel River from the Whittier
Narrows Dam to Seal Beach to verify the location of non- stonnwater point source discharge
outfalls. Obtained GPS locations for existing and past point - source non- stormwater discharge
monitoring sites. Verified the location of 10% of the industrial stormwater dischargers currently in
the RWQCB database. Transferred all previously collected data into a GIS database format.
Project Manager for a Groundwater Study of Trancas Canyon, Malibu, California for the
purpose of determining the feasibility of discharging wastewater onsite. The site, located north of
downtown Malibu, is to be developed into a thirteen home residential community. As a condition of
approval, the City requires that these lots be on septic systems, provided that doing so will not
impact the adjacent properties, located between the site and the beach. To evaluate the feasibility of
discharging wastewater at the site, Dr. Laton installed and monitored several groundwater -
monitoring wells in the area. The data collected were used to construct a geologic and water budget
model that estimates the impact that the wastewater will have, over time, on the regional
groundwater table.
Project Manager for a Groundwater Modeling Project of the Taylor Railroad Yard Area, Los
Angeles California. Used MODFLOW to establish a baseline groundwater flow model of the
subject site. The model was used to determine the interaction between the Los Angeles River and
the associated local aquifer. The data are being used to evaluate future land uses for the property.
Project Manager of a Study on Sediment Quality and Depositional Environment of San Elijo
Lagoon in San Diego County. The purpose of this project was to characterize the quality of the
surficial sediments and the depositional environment of San Elijo Lagoon. Many of the restoration
and enhancement projects that are suggested in the San Elijo Enhancement Plan (County of San
Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, 1996) and described in the San Elijo Lagoon Action
Plan (Gibson and Thum, 1998) are dependent on future deepening, widening, and extension of the
existing channel system within the lagoon. The project used GIS to quantify the special
relationships of the sediment type and thickness, properties that will be used to model and evaluate
the impacts that the proposed modifications may pose to the lagoon and surrounding areas, in
compliance with the CEQA.
Page 2 55
W. Richard Laton, Ph.D.
Project Consultant
Staff Consultant, Feasibility Investigation to Review Mitigation Options for Active Crude
Oil Seeps (tar) and Methane Generation at the Brea- Olinda oil and Stearns Oil Fields in
Brea. The purpose of these studies was to provide the land developers with preliminary remediation
and/or planning alternatives for development within sites heavily impacted by naturally occurring
surface oil seeps. The projects focused on mapping the limits of the naturally occurring tar deposits,
and identifying the structural and geologic conditions that allow the oil seeps to develop. At the
Brea- Olinda oil field, the volume of methane being produced.was investigated with three gas
collection boreholes. Several preliminary mitigation measures were outlined. At the Steams oil field,
the study focused on the mechanisms of oil and methane seepage and evaluated the impacts that
steam/water injection could have on the future development of the site.
Project Manager, Groundwater and Methane Migration Investigation at the Playa Vista
Property, Los Angeles, California. Directed and conducted field exploration of methane within
the groundwater and subsurface soils at the site. Oversaw the development of a GIS database for
the site that compiles .about 30 years worth of geologic and hydrogeologic data that have been
developed at and for the property. Helped develop a model for methane migration and geologic
history of the site.
Project Manager, Geologic, Seismic and Hydrologic Sections of the Environmental Impact
Report for the Proposed Sully -Miller Fieldstone Project, in the City of Orange, California. We
described the potential geotechnical and environmental constraints anticipated to affect the
proposed land development, and provide alternative mitigation measures for the potentially adverse
impacts identified
Staff Consultant/Hydrogeologist for a Groundwater Study of Winter Canyon, Malibu,
California for the Purpose of Determining the Feasibility of Using the Canyon for
Wastewater Disposal. The site, located east of downtown Malibu is being used for wastewater
disposal. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the canyon watershed to evaluate the impacts, if
any, that increasing wastewater discharge at the site would have on the site and adjacent properties.
Several groundwater- monitoring wells were installed and monitored The data were used in a
Modflow computer model of the canyon that allowed us to analyze the existing and proposed
groundwater conditions for the site.
Staff Consultant and Manager, Groundwater study of a 200 -acre site in Support of the
Proposed Malibu Civic Center EIR. The project area is impacted by severe constraints, including
potential surface fault rupture associated with the Malibu Coastal fault, earthquake- induced
liquefaction as a result of the shallow groundwater at the site, and wastewater disposal issues. Dr.
Laton evaluated the groundwater conditions at the site. Data were collected from four borings
drilled at various locations on the property, and six monitoring wells that were installed for this
purpose. Geologic cross - sections of the site were prepared using the stratigraphic data obtained
from the borings. The data collected allowed Dr. Laton to document and map the groundwater
gradients in both the shallow and deep aquifers underlying the site.
Project Geologist and Manager, Hydrogeological and Geochemical study of the Panelyte
Facility, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Laton worked with the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality on the Hydrogeological and Geochemical aspects of the Panelyte site. The
site was turned over to the City of Kalamazoo as a brownfield site. The study involved the use of
geophysics (EM, GPR, and shallow Seismic) and geochemical (soil and water) analysis and
Page 3 5(p
W. Richard Laton, Ph.D.
Project Consultant
comparison for the detection and mapping of possible contaminants and buried objects throughout
the facility.
Project Hydrogeologist on a study of a proposed municipal well field property, Ross
Township, Michigan. The study was designed to determine the possible effects of a municipal
well field on the surrounding surface water bodies (streams, lakes and wetlands). Over 30
monitoring wells were established in and around 3 lakes and 2 streams. Then a 30-day pump test
was conducted to establish the connection, if airy, between the subsurface and surface water bodies.
To further establish a connection between water bodies, extensive geochemical testing was
conducted over the course of the pumping test.
Project Hydrogeologist and Manager to Study the Effects of Golf Course Construction on
Lake Templene, Three Rivers, Michigan. Dr. Laton was retained by the Reid and Reid Law
Offices in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to evaluate the effects of the construction of a golf course and
adjacent buildings on the water quality of Lake Templene. Extensive review of construction plans
and environmental impact reports was done to evaluate the possible impact on Lake Templene by
the proposed project.
Project Hydrogeologist and Manager for the City of Portage on an Aeration Pilot project on
Austin Lake, Portage, Michigan. Designed and coordinated the work on an aeration pilot project
on Austin Lake. This project involved bottom sediment and water sampling, coring and profiling.
Throughout the pilot program, water samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate the chemical
changes brought about by the aeration project. The success of the entire project was extrapolated
from the results of the pilot program Dr. Laton prepared and presented to the City of Portage,
Michigan an independent report on the anticipated success of the project.
Staff Geologist /Hydrogeologist for a Study of Wetland Impacts Resulting from Dam
Construction in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Laton was retained as consultant by Sutherland, Asbill &
Brennan, to address a wetland problem within one of Mobil Land Development Companies major
developments. The study included wetland hydrology, soil monitoring and aerial photographic
interpretation. A historical wetlands map was produced to compare with present day wetlands as
determined through a delineation conducted for this project
Project Hydrogeologist, Various Coastal Erosion Study Projects. Retained by Littoral et
Patrimonie for projects in France and India. Evaluated coastal erosion and provided possible
solutions to ongoing erosion problems.
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Eldon Gath, CEG
Senior Consultant
(714) 282 -6122, ptb@earthconsultants.com
Mr. Gath has 22 years of experience in the identification, investigation, and
remediation of geologic hazards, involving land use planning, environmental assessments,
field exploration and analysis, and presentation of findings. Mr. Gath has particular
experience with the evaluation of active faults for construction site planning, the
development of seismic safety programs and policies, and the determination of remediation
and design alternatives for geologically sound site development. Eldon Gath's experience in
the translation of geologic and seismic hazards into municipal polity and mitigation spans
public agencies, private developers, and research. He was the Principal -in- Charge for the
Safety Elements of Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Santa Monica, Burbank, Garden
Grove, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Calimesa, Yucca Valley, Chino Hills, and Culver
City. He was the Principal -level geologic consultant to the City of Brea for their future city
expansion planning. All of these projects involved intense interaction with public and
technical review groups, planning commissions, and city councils or county supervisory
boards. He is also heavily involved in professional practice organizations, has given
hundreds of presentations before professional and public groups, and has published
extensively on a wide range of subjects.
EDUCATION
Graduate studies in Urban Natural Hazards, University of California at Irvine, (Natural
hazard mitigation through land use planning); 1998- Present
Post - graduate studies in Geomorphology, University of California at Riverside,
(Tectonic geomorphology of the southeastern Los Angeles basin); 1993 -1996
Post - graduate studies in Engineering Geology, California State at Los Angeles, (Tectonic
geomorphology and neotectonics of the Whittier fault in southern California); 1982-
1990
B.S. Geology, University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology; 1978
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS
Registered Geologist:
Engineering Geologist:
SELECTED PROJECT
California, RG 4140, (1986)
California, EG 1292, (1986)
Project Manager for the preparation of a new combined Seismic and Safety
Element for the County of Los Angeles. The project necessitated the collection,
collation, and analysis of geologic and cultural data for the entire County of Los
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5�
E. Gath
Senior Consultant
Angeles, an area of over 4,000 square miles. The data was transcribed onto eight
separate 1:100,000 -scale overlay sheets for use in hazard abatement analysis by the
Department of Regional Planning. All supporting technical data and discussions as to
the data sources, reliability, adequacy, and recommended programs for either current
usage or future enhancement were compiled into a 430 page Technical Report "Hazard
Reduction in Los Angeles County ". In addition to the extensive data collection effort,
the main focus of the project was to develop the Goals, Policies, and Programs for Los
Angeles County to implement as part of their Five Year Seismic Hazards Reduction
Program. The final preparation of the Element involved close coordination and
meetings with the County Planning staff, including testimony before the County
Planning Commission, several local public hearings, presentations to civic groups, and
County Board of Supervisors' presentations prior to final adoption. The project was
awarded the 1991 Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of Counties.
Project Manager for the preparation of a new Public Safety Element for the
County of Riverside, California. The project involved an extensive collection,
digitization, and analysis of geologic and cultural data for the entire County of Riverside,
an area of over 7,000 square mules (35,000 km2). The data were all compiled into a
MapInfo and ArcInfo GIS database for use in hazard abatement planning by the
Department of County Planning. All supporting metadata plus discussions as to the
data sources, reliability, adequacy, and recommended programs for either current usage
or future enhancement were compiled into a large Technical Report entitled Natural
Hazard Mapping, Analysis, and Mitigation. The main focus of the project was to
develop a map-based hazard management and mitigation plan for the County of
Riverside to implement over the next twenty years. The final preparation of the
Element has involved dose coordination and meetings with the County Planning staff,
including testimony before the County Planning Commission, and presentations to a
select technical review board The project is still on -going at the final review level.
Program Manager for the site characterization and construction of 100 permanent
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver monuments for JPL. As the
construction contractor to the Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN),
100 permanent GPS receiver stations were sited, geologically characterized for stability,
and constructed using the Wyatt-type braced monument. The entire program spanned
ten southern California counties, was scheduled to be completed in eleven months, and
involved a budget of over $2 million. Intensive scheduling and coordination was
required between SCIGN's site selection review group, the geological site review team
of Earth Consultants Int., the construction contractor Gradient Engineering, and the
drilling contractor APEX. Depending upon the site conditions, either a hollow stem
auger or an air percussion rotary drill rig was used.
Principal Geologist and Project Manager for a fault hazard investigation of San
Bernardino Valley College to locate the active traces of the San Jacinto fault for
campus redevelopment planning. The San Bernardino Valley College campus in San
Bernardino was constructed gradually from the early 1930is to the early 1970is upon an
elevated pressure ridge (the Bunker Hill Dike) formed along the San Jacinto fault. As
part of an overall campus redevelopment planning, this study was undertaken to
quantify the fault rupture hazard through the SBVC. In addition to the threat posed by
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E. Gash
Senior Consultant
surface rupture, other secondary seismic impacts were addressed, including liquefaction,
shaking amplification, and ground deformation due to folding. The project involved the
excavation of eight trenches within the campus area to expose the traces of the San
Jacinto fault, completion of ten boreholes to depths of 50-100 feet coupled with nearly
100 cone penetrometer tests, and shear wave velocity profiling of the borings. The
trenches revealed that the surface trace of the fault passes through four of the school's
buildings. Eight other buildings were determined to be at risk due to secondary ground
fracturing or their location across an active surface fold caused by shallow blind thrust
faulting.
Project Geologist and Manager for a planning study of 200 acres in preparing the
Malibu Civic Center Specific Plan. The project area contained severe constraints
from the Malibu Coastal fault, shallow ground water, earthquake induced liquefaction,
and waste water disposal. To evaluate the impact of the fault, 80 cone penetrometer
(CPT) and 5 continuous core borings were emplaced, and stratigraphic units correlated
between the borings. The project involved presentation and discussion of findings at
three public workshops and several General Plan Task Force meetings. The project also
comprised technical consultants for Planning, Civil, Biology, Traffic, and Economics all
working towards a comprehensive, mixed -use development plan for a "downtown"
Malibu; a plan that incorporated site constraints and public input into a viable town
center. The study was able to document that the mapped fault was an older structure,
and posed no impacts to the proposed land plan. These findings were presented to the
California Division of Mines and Geology for their use in defining Alquist -Priolo Special
Study Zones for the Malibu Coast fault.
Principal Geologist and Project Manager for a geological and geotechnical review
and design -level analysis of Phase 2B of ALARKO's Alkent Istanbul 2000, an upscale
residential development project in Istanbul, Turkey. The Alkent Istanbul 2000 project
is a master planned residential development and community east of Istanbul, Turkey.
Developed by the ALARKO Group, it consists of large single - family homes, plus
recreational, commercial, and educational facilities to support a contained and secure
community environment. Over 800 homes have already been constructed. ECI was
initially retained to provide ALARKO with a second opinion on landslide stability issues
for their upcoming Phase 2B development of nearly 100 additional home (villa) sites.
The site was extensively impacted by shallow slope failures and landslides. The slides
were initiated from a perched water condition that had developed within a weathered
regolith that was capping a hard shale unit. Following the initial consultation, ECI was
requested to complete a design -level geotechnical analysis to develop the construction
stabilization requirements and detailed implementation drawings. Because of difficulties
in relying on good fill compaction, the stabilization measures relied on pile support for
all villas, slopes, and retaining walls. Construction design details were also developed for
site dewatering subdrains.
Principal Geologist and Project Manager for the revision and updating of the
Santa Monica Safety Element. The project involved a very close working relationship
with several city departments, including engineering, planning, emergency services, and
fire, to incorporate the current efforts of the City into the action programs of the new
Safety Element. The study also resulted in the relocation and reclassification of the
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E. Gatti
Senior Consultant
Santa Monica fault as an active seismic hazard. However, because of our association
with the Southern California Earthquake Center, the City Council and planning staff
were frilly appraised of this new earthquake threat, two weeks before the SCEC press
release on the Santa Monica fault was issued. During the Safety Element review period,
the M6.7 Northridge earthquake occurred, causing extensive structural damage in the
city. At city request, we served as information sources for displaced citizens at a public
information meeting immediately after the earthquake, and provided guidance and
recommendations to city emergency response officials.
Project Investigator to develop the geologic evaluation criteria for 56 alternative
alignment segments of a proposed 32-mile freeway project [Foothill
Transportation Corridor] in Orange County, California. The project necessitated a
review of existing geologic data, a field reconnaissance of all 170 miles of the alternative
alignments, GIS computation of all collected data, and preparation of a geologic
evaluation matrix for incorporation into the complete EIR document. Project was
presented to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the preferred alignment was
selected, and detailed site investigations and initial construction is proceeding.
Project Geologist and Manager for a feasibility investigation to review mitigation
options for active crude oil seeps (tar) and methane generation within the Santa
Fe Energy Olinda oil field in Brea. The purpose of the study was to provide the land
developer with preliminary remediation and /or planning alternatives for development
within a site heavily impacted by naturally occurring surface oil seeps. The project
focused on mapping the limits of the naturally occurring tar deposits, and identifying the
structural geologic conditions within which the oil seeps are occurring. The volume of
methane being produced was investigated with three gas collection boreholes. Several
preliminary mitigation measures were outlined.
Project Manager for a 350 -acre hillside residential development in the Puente
Hills for The Lusk Company. The project had been in the tentative tract design stage
for six years, with numerous plan revisions developed to finally achieve a viable
development concept. A detailed subsurface investigation involving nearly 50 borings
and 100 trenches was completed, followed by comprehensive geotechnical analysis of
the 20 onsite landslides and proposed cut slope stability, and summari zed into a cost
benefit analysis of the various development alternatives. The design modifications have
necessitated regular working meetings between the consultant team, and several
meetings with the County of Los Angeles Planning Commission. Major design efforts
and innovative geotechnical remedial solutions were required to preserve historical oak
trees at several localities on the site.
Project Geologist for the "Area G" residential development project by Hon
Development in the Laguna Niguel area of southern Orange County. The 700 -
acre parcel was investigated for both active faults and large landslide constraints. Three
very large perimeter landslides were studied to determine their impact upon the
proposed upslope development, and the impact of the future development on the
landslide stability. Of particular concern was the reactivation of one of the landslides due
to the presence of nearly 100 existing homes constructed on the landslide without prior
recognition or stabilization of the slide. To isolate the proposed development from the
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E. Gath
Senior. Consultant
slide and to increase the in situ stability of the residual slide mass, a 190 -foot deep by
1,000 -foot long shear key was constructed, an elaborate subdrainage system was
designed, and several land use plans were reviewed. The project was mass graded into
smaller tracts, involving over two years of earthwork and the moving and compacting of
nearly 20 million cubic yards of earth fill.
Principal Investigator for a Southern California Earthquake Center research
grant to determine the activity and fault kinematics of the northern extension
zone of the Whittier fault, in the epicentral region of the 1987 Whittier Narrows
earthquake. This research project involved three dimensional trench excavations and
detailed paleoseismic logging to define both lateral and vertical slip on the northwest
trending Alhambra Wash fault The fault lies within the step -over zone where the
Whittier fault transitions into the Elysian Park- Monterey Park anticlinorium set of faults.
The study began with a detailed aerial photographic reconnaissance to map the potential
fault features, and to select optimal trenching sites. The fault was excavated in three
dimensions to directly measure the lateral and vertical slip components. Preliminary
results indicate recurrent displacements of fault - crossing late Pleistocene stream
channels as older units are displaced increasingly larger amounts. The fault is dominantly
right - lateral with a down to the east component. The study was funded by the Southern
California Earthquake Center as part of its mission to quantify and model the seismic
risk within the Los Angeles basin.
Principal Geologist for a detailed fault hazard assessment of the 700 -acre West
Coyote Hills oil field for Chevron Land and Development. The site is a young
anticlinal uplift in the eastern Los Angeles Basin, immediately south of the Whittier
fault. Due to the extensional tectonics of the uplifting fold, numerous secondary faults
were created. The occurrence of a minor ground rupture along one of these small faults
in 1968 prompted the State to include that fault in an Alquist -Priolo Special Studies
Zone. For future development planning, other secondary faults within the development
area were investigated as to their structural style, recency of activity, and risk to the
development A tectonic model of the area was developed to better characterize the
pattern of faulting, and to enhance future risk predictive capabilities.
Principal Geologist for a 450 -acre hillside development project within the Puente
Hills for Shea Homes. The project took over five years in the conceptual planning and
design stages before final construction began in 1988. Extensive meetings and
interaction with the County of Los Angeles was required due to the construction of two
miles of Fullerton Road and one mile of Pathfinder Road, both under the review of the
Department of Public Works. Numerous large landslides were investigated and analyzed
for design buttresses, a 170 -foot deep fill was placed into an offsite canyon and
monitored for secondary consolidation, and debris flow basins were sized and
constructed within three drainages entering the site. The site was a former Shell oil field,
necessitating the consideration of contaminated soils and the re- abandonment of 12 oil
wells. An interstate aviation fuel pipeline was relocated due to the grading, and the
relocation plan was reviewed for geotechnical impacts. During canyon cleanout
operations for Fullerton Road, both the north and south traces of the Whittier fault
were exposed, and charcoal samples from the faulted alluvial sediments were sent for
radiocarbon dating to provide valuable technical data on the slip history of the fault
Page 5 �'?'
E. Gads
Senior Consultant
Principal Geologist for the planning and redevelopment of the Signal Hill oil
field into a master planned residential community, within the Newport- Inglewood
fault zone. The project commenced with a thorough data review of the site, followed by
subsurface trenching to locate the active strands of the Newport- Inglewood fault system
as required by the Alquist -Priolo Act. The Cherry Hill fault and Northeast Flank faults
were located and provisional structural setbacks were developed Extensive geotechnical
issues were encountered, including hydrocarbon contaminated soils, thick oil field fills,
existing production infrastructure, and adjacent development. Detailed design
investigations, and construction mapping, observation, and testing services were
provided throughout the phasing of the development.
Principal Geologic Consultant for a technical review of the Toland Canyon
Landfill neat Santa Paula, in Ventura County. The purpose of the study was to
complete a third -party technical review of the geologic issues at the Toland Canyon
Landfill in Ventura County. The review focused on the issue of active faulting, seismic
design, groundwater monitoring and slope stability. The initial review stimulated the
RWQCB to require the landfill operator to undertake extensive new investigations
designed to address the age of faulting across the landfill footprint. The new trenching
results were reviewed and discussed in the field with all interested parties, which led to
additional focused investigations to address newly uncovered faulting issues. The review
was instrumental in stimulating these new studies by generating enhanced regulatory
appreciation of the issues, and also led to the development of different, more
appropriate, design measures to mitigate the site's geologic conditions for safe landfill
operation.
Page 6 I ^
Gunnar J. Kuepper
Gunnar J. Kuepper
Appointments
Gunnar J. Kuepper is Chief of Operations with
Emergency & Disaster Management, Inc., in
Los Angeles, CA. This independent agency
advises private, non - profit, and governmental
organizations throughout the world in state- of-
the -art disaster preparedness, emergency
response, and business continuity programs.
Much of his planning and consulting work
takes place in the international aviation
industry. He analyzes the emergency
response capabilities and rescue operations in
catastrophic incidents, including plane and
train crashes, fires and explosions, riots and
acts of terrorism.
Before moving to the US in 1997, Gunnar was
Commanding Chief and Managing Director of
several different EMS and rescue systems in
Europe, particularly in Germany.
• Chairman, California Symposium on Aviation Emergencies
• Member, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Standard 1600
Committee on "Emergency /Disaster Management and Business Continuity
Programs
• President, IAEM Region IX (international Association of Emergency
Managers)
• Director, ARFFwg Europe (Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting working group)
• Member, NFPA Content Advisory Board
• Chairman, IAEM International Affairs Committee
• VP for Industrial Safety, National Safety Council, Greater Los Angeles
Chapter
• Committee Chairman, "Safety and Disaster Preparedness" Rotary Club
Downtown Los Angeles
Memberships: ARFFwg, BICEPP (Business and Industry Council for Emergency
Planning and Preparedness), IAEM, IAFC (International Association of Fire Chiefs),
NFPA, TIEMS (The International Emergency Management Society), WADEM (World
Association of Disaster and Emergency Medicine)
Achievements: DoJ- certified Trainer for Emergency Response to Terrorism;
Designer of "Working Together," an ARFF Capability Improvement Program;
Developer of "Violence & Terrorism in the Aviation Industry," an Awareness and C
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Response Improvement Program
Awards: Share the Knowledge Program (ARFFwg, 1999); Certificate of Appreciation
(ARFFwg, 1999); Special Recognition (City Council of Los Angeles, 1999);
Outstanding Service (ARFFwg, 2001)
Publications: 911Magazine, AIRPORT Safety and Security Management,
ARFFNews, FIRE INTERNATIONAL, IAEM Bulletin, Journal of Prehospital and
Disaster Medicine, NFPA Journal, Journal of American Society of Professional
Emergency Planners
Speaking Engagements: on average 30 speeches/year on recent disaster
situations or emergency management related topics at major national and
international conferences from Asia (i.e., Japan, Singapore), to Europe (i.e., Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United
Kingdom), to all over the US; about 60 guest lectures at universities, associations,
and emergency departments throughout the world.
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