The recent Oso landslide covered one square mile with mud, wiping out an entire neighborhood and killing 43 people. How can we predict, prevent and respond to similar disasters in Washington state?
While there will certainly be proposed legislation on the issue, some fact-finding and recommendations will come from a new commission appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee and Snohomish County Executive John Lovick.
Lovick is quoted as saying, “One of government’s preeminent roles is to promote public safety. The commission will focus its work on identifying the most important recommendations that, if implemented today, would make all of us safer tomorrow.”
Part of the problem for our state is the geology at the Oso slide is common. Much of the terrain in the Puget Sound is deposits from glaciers, and the amount of rain we get here means erosion and landslides will happen. Geologists knew the Oso area had a history of landslides all along the Stillaguamish River, but that’s not the only place in the Puget Sound with glacial silt and river systems.
According to Gov. Inslee’s office, the new commission will review the landslide, examine the response to the disaster and look for recommendations for the future. The 12 members of the commission include experts, first responders and local officials. The commission will be independent with meetings open to the public and recommendations are scheduled to be released Dec. 15, 2014.
The release from the governor’s office lists the following 12 members of the commission:
• Prof. David Montgomery, Geomorphology Director at the University of Washington
• Wendy Gerstel, Licensed Hydrogeologist and Principal at QWG Applied Geology
• Bill Trimm, FAICP, Community Development Director at the City of Mill Creek
• Diane Sugimura, Director, Department of Planning and Development at the City of Seattle
• Chief Greg Garcia, former Fire Chief at the City of Pasco
• Chief Steve Strachan, City of Bremerton Police Chief and former King County Sheriff
• Lee Shipman, Emergency Management Director at Shoalwater Bay Tribe
• Hon. Jill Boudreau, City of Mount Vernon Mayor
• Renee Radcliff Sinclair, former State Representative and former Snohomish County Planning Commissioner
• Paul Chiles, Real Estate Counselor and former Chair, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
• JoAnn Boggs, President, Washington State Emergency Management Association
• John Erickson, former Director of Emergency Preparedness, Washington state Department of Health.