THE USE OF GEOLOGY IN FORMULATING HAZARD POLICY IN OREGON

Geologic hazards in Oregon include earthquakes, landslides, coastal erosion, floods, volcanoes, wildfires, subsidence, and an active public. With proper information the risks posed by these geologic hazards can be managed. Therefore, there are many opportunities for the geo-science profession to engage in policy. Good geo-science information can help guide society to proper, affordable, and politically acceptable risk reduction.

Technical knowledge about the nature of hazard, however does not imbue the geo-scientist with singular intuition about what to do about the hazard. Reduction of risks from large geologic hazards actually involves several discrete steps, some of which are beyond science.

Scientific quantification of the hazard is needed to guide cost effective strategy development. Through the provision of relevant information science can help the public decide from among many options. Science can help society choose how to put scarce public funds to best use. A society that wants to get the most return for its mitigation investment, needs science.

In general, even if the science is adequate, the strategies may not be acceptable to stakeholders, if other considerations are ignored. Alternatively, even if strategies are acceptable, they may not work if they ignore the input of science.

In Oregon, processes that address geologic hazards include a comprehensive framework of land use statutes and goals, building codes regulations, manuals for construction practice, efforts towards public education, the legislative process, and voluntary actions.

Ballot measures sometimes address geologic hazards. In Oregon geoscientists acting in a private capacity can participate in those efforts

In efforts to influence policy as a scientist the scientist must maintain his or her credibility by sticking to the science. Technical knowledge about a hazard does not bring with it the right to dictate the sole solution to the problem. That decision is developed by stakeholders acting in response to the hazard and in response to community opportunities, politics, and values. These are not the domain of geo-science. There is more than one way to address a hazard.