Letter to Director Dr. Charles G. Groat, U.S. Geological Survey

January 12, 2004

Dr. Charles G. Groat
Director
U.S. Geological Survey
John W. Powell Federal Building
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, Virginia 20192

Dear Dr. Groat:

I recently toured Paso Robles and Atascadero in San Luis Obispo County and saw the destruction caused by the San Simeon Earthquake. Later, at a roundtable discussion with local representatives, I heard concerns voiced by local business owners and elected officials about various issues having to do with federal emergency response and other matters.

One of the points raised during our roundtable discussion was the issue of the mapping of faults in the central part of the State of California. One official raised a concern that, while extensive mapping has been done in the Los Angeles basin and in San Francisco Bay Area, there are data gaps in areas like San Luis Obispo County and the Central Coast.

I am writing to request your response to this issue of fault data gaps in the Central Coast area and, if those gaps exist, a report on what actions can be taken to complete mapping. The cost estimate for damages caused by the San Simeon Earthquake continues to increase and will ultimately be in the range of a quarter billion dollars. In my experience, better information can ultimately lead to better planning. If there is a lack of information about the extent and threat of faults, I believe it is important to complete necessary mapping.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your reply to my Los Angeles office.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator