Revised Earthquake Fault Zone Maps Are Available for Review

• Major Change Is Coast Fault Status

BY BILL KOENEKER

Malibu municipal officials have given notice that the proposed revised earthquake fault zone maps for the area are now being made available for public scrutiny.

The preliminary review map of the proposed Alquist-Priolo Earthquake fault zones in Malibu was released to the city on Feb. 16 and the public is now being told about the revisions this week.

The major revision to the map is the removal of the fault zone designation to the Malibu Coast fault splay at the Bluffs Park.

The site has been plagued by the active designation and a number of former property owners, including General Motors, have dropped plans for a think tank or other use because of perceived geological problems on the site.

The property was sold about one-and-a-half years ago, but no development plans have been made public at this time.

“That is the major revision [to the Malibu map]. The AP zone next to the Bluffs Park site has been removed,” said Chris Dean, the city’s geologist.

Dean had no answer to why the local public was being noticed about the revisions in early April instead of when the review period began on Feb. 16.

“We have the documents on display. We got the notice out. This is a preliminary. There is more than three months before the final map is issued,” added the city geologist.

Dean also noted that there were no other revisions on the preliminary map. “There are no changes to the rest of the AP zone in the Civic Center. No additions on Point Dume,” he added.

Municipal officials describe earthquake fault zones as regulatory zones that encompass surface traces of active faults that have a potential for future surface fault rupture. The zones are established for about 500 feet on either side of the surface trace. The maps show the general location of the proposed fault zones within the city.

An active fault may pose a risk of surface rupture to existing or future development. A fault study may be required before the parcel can be subdivided or before most structures can be permitted. If the property is developed, the Alquist-Priolo Act requires disclosure by the seller to any buyer for all real estate transactions.

Detailed maps can be seen at Malibu City Hall, or at California Geological Survey offices in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles, or can been viewed at the CGS website at www.consrv.ca.gov/CGSINEWS/news.