A geology act, which has been stalled for 14 years, was passed by the Legislative Yuan Tuesday, mandating the government to conduct a nationwide geological survey and publicly list geologically sensitive areas. The survey should be reviewed every five years to update the scientific data, and the list of geologically sensitive areas may be revised based on the new data, the Geology Act stipulates. According to the act, six or seven other related regulations will be enacted to define and identify geologically sensitive areas before such areas are officially publicized. Individuals could be fined up to NT$500,000 (US$16,500) if they intentionally obstruct the efforts to carry out geological surveys, the act states. One of the stipulations in the new law is that the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Central Geological Survey should come up with a report within three months indicating whether any existing government or public facilities are sitting on geologically sensitive land. However, Lin Chao-tsung, director of the Central Geological Survey, said his office would have difficulty meeting the three-month deadline since six or seven related regulations must first be enacted. Another article in the act requires that funds should be allocated to schools, hospitals, highways, bridges and power plants for rebuilding or reinforcement within three years if they are found to be located on geologically sensitive land. Lawmakers across party lines hailed the passage of the new act. Ruling Kuomintang Legislator Hsiao Ching-tien said it optimizes the people's right to know and right to not be left in danger. Pan Meng-an, an opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator, said he hopes the act will help prevent the recurrence of disasters such as the collapse of buildings and roads. He urged landowners around the country to allow professional surveyors to inspect their properties. Developers should maintain integrity and objectivity if it is found that their lands are on sensitive areas, he said. DPP Legislator Wong Chin-chu suggested that the administration create a geological survey system and a data bank of relevant information to prevent the illegal development of land. 