SPECIAL PUBLICATION NO. 57


Dr. Tom Kwader, PG, URS Corp. (Vice President, Senior Consulting Hydrogeologist)
Ms. Kathy McDonald, PG, Subsurface Evaluations, Inc.
Dr. Pat Maroney, Esq., FSU College of Business
Dr. Tom Missimer, PG, Missimer Groundwater Science, Inc.
Mr. Sandy Nettles, PG, N. S. Nettles & Associates, Inc.
Dr. Tony Randazzo, PG, Geohazards, Inc. (past Chair & Professor Emeritus UF Geology Dept.)
Mr. D.S. Saxena, PE, ASC Geosciences, Inc. (President and Senior Consultant)
Dr. Tom Scott, PG, FGS, Assistant State Geologist for Geologic Investigations.
Dr. Doug Smith, PG, Geohazards, Inc. (Professor Emeritus, UF Geology Dept.)
Mr. Steve Spencer, PG, FGS (State Sinkhole Database oversight)
Dr. Mark Stewart, PG, Professor (past Chair) USF Geology Department
Ms. Ann Tihansky, Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Tampa
Dr. Sam Upchurch, PG, SDII Global Corp. (past Chair, USF Geology Dept.)
Mr. Mike Wilson, PE, Ardaman & Associates
Ms. Lynn Yuhr, PG, Technos Inc. (Vice President)
Also observing the discussion on September 28th was Ms. Kelly Kubiak an attorney with Gunn-
Merlin, PA.

 Introduction

As was the case in 1992, there are still inconsistencies across geological and geotechnical
engineering firms in the identification and cause of subsidence features observed impacting
structures. Hence the Legislative request for another analysis. Our group was in agreement with
the findings of the first Sinkhole Summit, in that the most recent discussions, again found the
following:

 1. Ideally, at least two topical areas of professional expertise may be needed for a complete
 and comprehensive assessment of any subsidence feature to determine if a sinkhole is the
 likely reason for the observed damage and if the structure remains safe or is salvageable.
 These include: a Professional Geologist or a Professional Geotechnical Engineer
 qualified in Geology, and where appropriate, a Professional Structural Engineer could be
 warranted by circumstances.

 2. A stringent "standardized cookbook" approach is not feasible, because there is too much
 variability of local geology. Professional judgment must be allowed using the various
 professional tools available and the expertise of the professional. These various
 technologies, however, must be utilized in a competent manner along with routine
 professional care in making reasonable interpretations. There can be a generalized listing
 of the steps, processes and tools a competent professional would utilize or consider in
 carrying out such an investigation. These "protocols" are included later in this report.

 3. It was also agreed by the group that a Florida Sinkhole Insurance Facility (as named in
 the legislation), should include an educational outreach component to assist Insurance
 adjusters with these difficult decisions, and to provide continuing education for
 Professional Geologists and Engineers in these agreed upon "standards" or "protocols."
 Leaflets, workshops and seminars could be conducted to continually update and inform