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452 Mr . Reiter, of DMJM , reported all construction schedules going well on existing contracts ; award of bids which had been made recently covering over two million dollars for construction to be commenced immediately , and calling for further bids on two other major pieces of construction ; and of the planning stages for Steinberger area subdivision and improvements . Mr . Reiter thereafter introduced Mr . William Moore , of Dames and Moore , consultant firm in applied earth sciences , as Consultant to the District through their firm as District Engineers , as he had been in conference with the principals involved in the various Federal Agencies on the present issue and would bring the Council up to date on status of this situation . Mr . William Moore of Dames & Moore felt to first give proper perspective to Redwood Shores , it should be distinctly noted this development not the first of its kind or unique in any aspect as marsh filled land developments throughout the world , noting examples in Bay area , particularly of down - town San Francisco , Alameda , areas in Marin County , etc . He stated , however , that because of concerns for proper develop- ment at the start for possible soil problems , it was consequently proposed that a program of study and research be commenced , and which study was made by soil experts eminent in their field . The scope of this study exceeds any other for any comparable project . He noted not all answers are known or can be known on earth - quake action , studies continue on research not only for marsh - land but hillside areas also , but that District had reason to be proud of this project because of being a leader in develop - ing ways to attack its development logically and with maximum degree of safety . He further noted research on seismic con- ditions still in need of research and study will continue but that there was no reason to doubt , because of the recent furor as a result of a Congressional Committee study and report made as many aspects more unfortunate and unfair resulting with Redwood Shores being faced with two particular problems : ( 1 ) Safety factor questions raised under an atmosphere not allowing for technical considerations ; ( 2 ) Question of the study called for by U . S . G . S . to be the same as that already covered and doubt any better answers will be derived than that now known . Mr . Moore thereafter answered Council ' s questions in more detail , his replies as to inferences made in Congressional Report summary being that conclusions were misleading , facts distorted , and findings erroneous . He detailed as simply as possible for a very technical subject , the underlying soil references to " bay mud fill " ; subsidence experiences , process of reclaiming land at water edge , noting cities built where people need them , not where geology convenient ; ex- plained how calculations made to determine safety factors for lateral forces with dikes for pressure from which deductions resulted in arbitrary mathematical quotations ; how ratio of 1 . 1 was used in all areas , river deltas , earth dams in California , etc . , by FHA and Corps of Engineers and how administered and how it would also vary in various areas , but no basis for a difference of balance or criteria for Redwood Shores than any other similar areas . as j) 3 'G9