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Enforcement Action
TEMECULA REGISTERED GEOLOGIST'S LICENSES
REVOKED FOR NEGLIGENCE AND INCOMPETENCE
Sacramento - The Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists revoked Warren Lester Sherling's Registered Geologist License No. 3777 and Certified Engineering Geologist License No. 1182 for negligence and incompetence, effective February 7, 2000. The Board adopted the proposed decision of an Administrative Law Judge. The disciplinary action was based on a report Sherling prepared for a residential property in Lytle Creek in San Bernardino County. Sherling demonstrated negligence and incompetence when he failed to identify the project site within a state-designated Earthquake Fault Zone under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act.
Sherling also failed to meet the "standards of care" for Registered Geologists and Certified Engineering Geologists in Southern California by using an outdated earthquake fault map: not accurately locating the site on the earthquake fault map he did use: and failing to include the Earthquake Fault Zone Map containing the project site, and a geologic cross-section across the site, to disclose the limitations of his fault hazard analysis; and assuming that alluvium underlying the site would lessen, rather than increase ground motion during a seismic event.
The Administrative Law Judge concluded in the written decision, "The revocation of the respondent's licenses is the only disciplinary measure which will serve to protect the public." In addition to his license revocation, Sherling was ordered to reimburse the Board $8,525 for costs of investigation and enforcement.
To file a complaint against or to check the license status of a Registered Geologist or Registered Geophysicist, call the Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists at (916) 263-2113 or see the Board's website at www.geology.ca.gov.
