The Blackhawk GHAD
Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts (GHADs) were authorized by the State of California as a tax-exempt political subdivision of the State of California, under the provisions of the 1979 Beverly Act (California Public Resources Code 26500-2661).
The Blackhawk GHAD was formed in 1986 to address landslide hazards within the Blackhawk district. Members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, acting as an independent Board, serve as the GHAD Board of Directors.
Plan of Control
Landslides contained within a single property (certain exceptions apply)
Landslides related to structures built within established setback areas
Landslide damaged or destroyed structures
Landslides caused by property owner negligence
Landslide repair costs that exceed the protected asset value
Landslides located outside GHAD boundaries, with the conditioned exception of those geologic hazards that threaten properties within the GHAD
When the limitation of funds prevents action
When another district or service area has primary responsibility
The Blackhawk GHAD Plan of Control specifies that the GHAD General Manager will address (at their discretion) landslides or potential landslides involving two or more properties with exceptions or limitations including the following:
Proactive + Responsive
The Blackhawk GHAD maintains proactive and responsive response capabilities within the district through the implementation of a comprehensive preventive maintenance program that includes monitoring and maintaining several hundred district-wide assets and instrumentation sites, as well as conducting studies and research to utilize new technologies. Additionally, the Blackhawk GHAD maintains a full array of response capabilities to address landslide activity and related incidents as they arise.