Mitigating losses from land subsidence in the United States.

Bibliography: p. 55-58

This report reviews the land subsidence problem in the United States and the measures that have been applied to mitigate it, and it assesses the effectiveness of research, engineering, and technical solutions in reducing losses incurred by subsidence. It addresses subsidence that occurs naturally, as well as that caused by land development and resource extraction. Resource and land development practices, mainly underground mining, groundwater and petroleum withdrawal, and the drainage of organic soils, are key contributors to the problem. Public and private responsibilities and capabilities for reducing subsidence-related losses on the federal, state, and local levels are examined and their effectiveness evaluated. The report concludes that if its findings are implemented, they would reduce and more equitably distribute subsidence losses in the United States