PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN REGULATORY REVIEW

Regulatory Reviewers need to do the right things for the right reasons. That's professional ethics. The right reasons inform us about the right things to do. What are the right reasons? The regulatory reviewer has a primary responsibility to the general public. It is their job to verify that the geologic work has been done correctly, to the current standard of care (or higher), and in a manner that will protect present and future citizens from the geologic hazard or conditions, such as landslides, fault movement, liquefaction, contaminated groundwater, or flooding, that they are charged to review for. In addition, the regulatory reviewer needs to make sure that the geologic information contains all the potentially pertinent information and that nothing is missing. The flip side is also true, geologic work not needed for the site should not be required or expected, even if it is listed in a check list or guidance manual. Why? Because the reviewer also has a duty to conserve taxpayers money, which includes the project developer and future tax dollars spent to repair damages.

Some of the right things are the same as for all geologists. Reviewers need to maintain a current level of knowledge and expertise in those areas of geology where they provide review of other geologists work. In simple terms, read the literature, attend meetings, short courses, and discuss developing information and new knowledge with colleagues. Usually this is not on government time but an activity undertaken as a consequence of the individual reviewer's professionalism. This obviously includes having a state license at least equivalent to that required for those submitting the investigations.