{"id":13557,"date":"2014-12-16T08:31:17","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T08:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.agu.org\/landslideblog\/?p=13557"},"modified":"2014-12-16T08:31:17","modified_gmt":"2014-12-16T08:31:17","slug":"sr-530-landslide-commission-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.agu.org\/landslideblog\/2014\/12\/16\/sr-530-landslide-commission-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Oso: The SR 530 Landslide Commission report"},"content":{"rendered":"
Oso: The SR 530 Landslide Commission report<\/h5>\n

Yesterday, the Oso \/ SR 530<\/a> Landslide Commission released its final report – it is available online as a PDF<\/a>. It its a very interesting document, carefully crafted and sensible in its recommendations.\u00a0 I would recommend that anyone interested in landslide, or indeed other geophysical, disasters reads the report as its findings are almost universally applicable.\u00a0 It is notable that the commission notes that there were many successes in the response, but that inevitably not everything went as smoothly as it could have done.\u00a0 Some aspects are almost bizarre – for example, the commission notes that:<\/p>\n

On March 23, 2014, the second day following the landslide, Chief Willy Harper, District 25 (Oso), made a request to Chief Eric Andrews, Northwest Regional Coordinator for the Washington State Fire Defense Board, for a mobilization of state resources. Chief Andrews assessed the situation per state mobilization guidelines and made a formal request to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for state fire service mobilization (all-hazards or state mobilization) under RCW 43.43.960 – -.964. This request was denied by WSP due to their legal counsel\u2019s interpretation that state fire service mobilization resources and funding is available only for fire disasters.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Not surprisingly the commission recommends that this strange anomaly is put right.<\/p>\n

However, in the context of this blog the most interesting aspects pertain to the landslide hazard and risk elements.\u00a0 Here the Commission makes a three key recommendations (amongst many others):<\/p>\n

1. Support a Statewide Landslide Hazard and Risk Mapping Program<\/strong>
\nThe Commission recommends the Legislature significantly expand data collection and landslide mapping efforts, which will provide the foundation for sound public and private land-use planning and decision-making.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The report provides more detail about how this should be undertaken, in particular with the use of lidar data.\u00a0 It is also suggests prioritization of transportation corridors, residential areas, urban growth areas, emergency evacuation routes and some forest lands.\u00a0 The work should be undertaken by the State Geological Survey, be subject to peer review and be overseen by a technical advisory group.\u00a0 The Commission illustrates the structure of this programme with the following diagram:<\/p>\n

\"SR<\/a>

SR 530 Landslide Commission vision for landslide hazard management<\/p><\/div>\n

.<\/p>\n

It is hard to disagree with this recommendation, and indeed it is reported<\/a> that the Governor has requested a budget of $36 million for “improved mapping and other landslide mitigation measures”.\u00a0 Whether this budget is granted is a different matter of course.\u00a0 My only criticism of this recommendation is in terms of the use of the information.\u00a0 Hazard maps are only useful if there is clarity in how and when they are to be used, and by whom.\u00a0 In particular it is perhaps slightly surprising that there is no mention of risk assessment or mapping, but perhaps this is considered to be a step too far at this point.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0 Establish a Geologic Hazards Resilience Institute<\/strong>
\nThe Commission recommends the Governor explore the creation of a geologic hazards resilience institute to address education, outreach, and research needs, professional practice guidelines, and other geologic issues impacting Washington communities.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In my view this is the most interesting recommendation, and the one that could have the greatest long term impact.\u00a0 The vision is for an institute that provides support by:<\/p>\n