Western GeoLogic was formed in 2001 to provide high quality, cost-efficient services for our clients. Our geologists, engineering geologists, hydrogeologists, and environmental professionals seek to provide the optimum blend of a superior level of expertise and ability to meet your delivery schedule, all at very competitive rates.
Our team provides high quality engineering geology investigations and environmental assessments, we have the experience and expertise to provide creative solutions to any of our client's geologic and environmental issues. Whether it is a residential subdivision, commercial building, school, church, bridge, roadway, or dam, we work with you to provide solutions to even the most challenging development challenges.
Our principal engineering geologist, Craig Nelson, Professional Geologist (P.G.), Certified Engineering Geologist (C.E.G.), and Certified Environmental Manager (C.E.M.), has over 32 years of experience. He served as the first Salt Lake County Geologist and coauthored the first geologic hazards ordinance in Utah.
Some of our other associates include Craig Bartholomew, an Environmental Professional with over 24 years of experience with environmental due-diligence projects.
Bill Black, a Professional Geologist (P.G.) with over 27 years experience in engineering geology and environmental due-diligence projects.
And Kevin Thomas, a Hydrogeologist with over 10 years experience in hydrogeology and groundwater projects.
Throughout the years, we have seen many different approaches to technical geologic and environmental problems, so we know what works -- and what doesn't.
Our geologists and environmental professionals have excellent credibility and long-standing relationships with members of the local, state and federal regulatory communities.
We also understand the time constraints that our clients often face. When needed, we can help your project move forward without delay by offering expedited report delivery. We believe in doing it right the first time!
For questions or a consultation,
please call or email
Western GeoLogic, LLC
2150 South 1300 East, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106-4461 USA
A Philosophy of Problem Solving. Most city and county governments now require that geologic hazards be addressed as part of the development process. At Western GeoLogic, our goal is to serve as your technical advocate in identifying and addressing potential geologic hazards to balance optimum land use and geologic safety, and help make your project a success.
Providing Acceptable Alternatives. When a new development is undertaken in an area of potential geologic hazards, we consider many alternatives for evaluation in planning your project.
HazardThe simplest way to eliminate geologic hazard risks is by avoiding them. Our geologists are experts at identifying potential hazards and helping define acceptable building locations or set-back zones to avoid risk to structures. This alternative is typically used with active faults. |
RiskSometimes, after careful probability evaluation, it is determined that the risk to the occupants and structure is sufficiently low that no mitigation measures are required. The decision to accept the risk is then up to the client or developer. |
StructuralWhen a geologic hazard cannot be avoided or economically eliminated, as in the case with earthquake ground shaking or soil liquefaction, risk reduction can take the form of structural modification such as strengthening or redesigning. Western GeoLogic specializes in providing ground motion estimates for building site, liquefaction analysis, and retaining wall designs for structural engineers. |
HazardOnce a hazard is identified it is often more economical to remove or reduce the source of the hazard than to avoid it. This strategy is often used when a development is confronted with risks of landslide or rockfall. One way to handle this situation is remove potential rockfall clasts from above the site, or to stabalize a landslide-prone slope, increasing the project's safety to an acceptable level. |
The experts at Western GeoLogic can help solve almost any geologic hazard or engineering geology problem, including:
Over the past several decades Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) have become an essential element in commercial and industrial real estate transactions. The EPA's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) places the responsibility for site investigation and cleanup on the current owner of a property if evidence of environmental problems is found. Unfortunately, the cost of characterizing contamination and performing an environmental cleanup can occasionally exceed the value of the property and even run into the millions of dollars.
Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) can help protect you in your commercial and industrial real estate transactions.
In the event an environmental problem is discovered after purchase, CERCLA does provide legal protection to the property buyer, if an ESA was performed prior to the sale. This protection, known as the "innocent landowner defense," requires the exercise of "due diligence" by having conducted an ESA investigation.
Sophisticated lenders require ESAs to help avoid inheriting environmental liabilities for a site when they make a loan and accept property as security. Only verifiable performance of due diligence can help support a lender's claim of the innocent landowner defense.
The primary goal of a Western GeoLogic ESA is to identify any environmental liabilities before a buyer or lender "owns a problem" and to qualify them as innocent landowners should a problem be discovered in the future.
Given the early variation in scope and quality of ESAs, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) developed a standard protocol to define the minimum standards an ESA must meet to qualify as due diligence. ESAs conducted by inexperienced or unqualified environmental consultants often fail to meet the ASTM standards and could jeopardize the innocent land owner defense. All Western GeoLogic ESAs meet or exceed applicable ASTM standards and are performed only by our highly qualified, experienced environmental professionals.
Our team provides a full range of hydrogeology, water well, and ground water services.
As part of our ongoing commitment to education, research, and development, we have published papers in many institutional journals and publications.
Profession details for all of the Western Geologic associates, saved in PDF format and available for download.
