RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GEOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY IN UTAH

Geology continues to play an important role in Utah. The state is rich in mineral and energy resources (total production represents about 5% of gross state product); it is the second-most arid state in the nation, with groundwater contributing 60% of public water supply; it straddles the Intermountain Seismic Belt (ISB) resulting in the 7th highest annualized earthquake loss rate ($51 million); and it has the fourth highest population growth rate with most of the growth occurring in hazardous areas along the ISB. Utah is also well known for its national and state geologic parks, which attract about 12 million people each year, or about 5 times the state's population.

Public policy issues where geology is important typically revolve around two broad topics. The first concerns decisions about the best use of land, and the balance between environmental values that require protection, resource values that offer opportunities for development, and recreational values. This debate is intensified because the dominant land managers in Utah are federal agencies (67% of state area), causing perceptions that federal decisions are being imposed against the majority wishes of the local population (e.g. declaration of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, BLM's Wilderness Study Areas, USFS' roadless initiatives). The second topic concerns urban growth. Hazards ordinances and urban zoning recognizing hazardous areas are local government responsibilities. Historically, these areas have been poorly recognized and enforced, resulting in the need for later mitigation (e.g. seismic retrofit of public buildings, embankments for stopping debris flows), or ongoing vulnerability to geologic hazards.

Good geologic information combined with an ongoing commitment to increase awareness and educate our policy makers and planners at all levels of government, as well as the general public, is essential for preserving our environment, satisfying our resource requirements, and minimizing our exposure to geologic hazards.