(August 14, 2000) Without meaningful notice or public hearings, and scant LB media attention, a state agency has quietly labelled large parts of LB as a "seismic hazard zone," a bureaucratic action that could carry significant implications for some affected property owners.

Homeowners in affected areas must disclose their "seismic risk zone" status to potential buyers and in the future, the areas may become subject to development and zoning restrictions and perhaps higher insurance rates.

As described in a state agency fact sheet, its maps will be used to "regulate development and by property owners selling property within areas where seismic hazards have been identified. Local governments can withhold development permits until geologic or soils investigations are conducted for specific sites and mitigation measures are incorporated into development plans."

The affected LB areas extend further than previously listed fault zones by purporting to show areas of ground failure and liquefaction.

Using a procedure similar to FEMA's imposition of "flood hazard" maps, the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology issued preliminary maps in late 1998 without widespread media or public notice. After a six month review and comment period with predictably little public response, the new maps became final on March 25, 1999.

As with FEMA (which acts under laws passed by Congress), the state agency acted under a state law (the Seismic Hazards Act of 1990, Public Resources Code 2690-2699.6) passed by the state legislature which requires mapping of the state’s most prominent earthquake hazards. The state law (like the federal FEMA legislation) empowers the agency to act without giving meaningful notice to homeowners or conducting local hearings.

The maps claim large parts of inland LB, including ELB, are at a "landslide" risk from liquefaction/ground failure akin to coastal areas such as Belmont Shore. LBReport.com readers can view the LB area maps by clicking on the links below to the state agency's web site. (You'll be leaving our web site so remember to return to LBReport.com when you're done. Also, the areas indicated below are our very general descriptions only; see the maps for neighborhood details.)

[Editor note: Links in original text have been changed by state agency. Updated info is in LBreport.com reference section under seismic information].