Right Column
Press Releases
Geologist's License Revoked as Part of Settlement with Geology Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2005
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Consumer Affairs' Board for Geologists and Geophysicists (BGG) has revoked the professional license of a Northern California Geologist under a stipulated settlement.
The agreement was negotiated after the BGG filed an accusation against Gary Steward Johnson in September 2004 that alleged the Trinidad, Calif., geologist failed to exercise "reasonable care" in determining the location of underground tanks at the site of a former auto dealership and service center in Ukiah. Mr. Johnson was also accused of misrepresenting site conditions to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
"The Department is pleased that the board and its staff are vigorously enforcing the law. Doing so helps to better protect the consumer and levels the playing field for the profession," said Charlene Zettel, Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
The misrepresentations came to light when the site owner sought reimbursement from the SWRCB for the cleanup costs under the state's Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Trust Fund Act.
"Environmental cleanup projects require the diligent maintenance of professional standards by Professional Geologists, and Mr. Johnson failed to satisfy those standards, " said Paul Sweeney, Executive Officer for the BGG.
The location of the underground tanks was critical to determining the source of the contamination, which in turn determined whether the cleanup was reimbursable.
In addition to the surrender of Mr. Johnson's license, the agreement calls on him to reimburse the board $13,000 to cover the cost of the investigation and prosecution of the case, in the event he should apply for reinstatement in the future.
The law allows BGG licensees to seek reinstatement a minimum of one-year after satisfying all of the conditions of a revocation settlement.
The BGG works to continually enhance the quality, significance and availability of geological and geophysical services to the people of the State of California through licensing and enforcement. For more information, visit the board's Web site at www.geology.ca.gov.
###
