Landslide Forum 2006: Research, Mitigation, & Land-Use Planning

Executive Summary

On February 6, 2006, The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries hosted a one-day Landslide Forum at the Red Lion Inn in Salem, OR to mark the 10th Anniversary of what has been characterized as 100-year events for landslides in Oregon.

The main objective for the forum was to review the events of 1996 and Oregon’s response to the landslide hazard. We updated the 150+ participants on state and local government activities to understand and mitigate the hazard, and shared insights on how to improve our response capability. The Landslide Forum targeted a broad spectrum of attendees from federal and state agencies, local government and the general public.

Presenters included speakers from the USGS, Governor’s Office, Department of Forestry, Oregon Emergency Management, National Weather Service, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Department of Geology and others (see agenda).

Keynote lunch speakers include Scott Burns from PSU and a presentation of the outstanding mitigation efforts in the State of Oregon for 2005 from Andre LeDuc and the Partners for Disaster Resistance & Resilience.

Participants were reminded that the fatalities and losses resulting from the 1996 landslide events brought about, among other things, the Governor’s Debris Avalanche Action Plan and passage of Oregon Senate Bill 12, which authorized the mapping of areas subject to rapidly moving landslides and the development of model landslide (steep slope) ordinances.

The Forum reviewed what progress has being made in the characterization, understanding and forecasting of landslide events. We discussed how Oregon’s debris flow warning system works and what state and local government can do to increase public awareness of landslides issues.

One final goal of the Landslide Forum was to remind all Oregonians that landslides will continue to occur. Educating policy makers and the public about the wide nature and complexity of landslides and land use issues will help everyone make informed decisions and create cost-effective policies that will reduce risk and save lives.

Landslide Forum 2006 Presentations

Presenter (with linked Word doc biographies)	Presentation
Vicki McConnell, State Geologist, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)	Introduction
Mike Carrier, Policy Director, Governor’s Natural Resources Office	Kickoff Speaker
Tyree Wilde, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)	Overview of the Weather Events, February, November, 1996
Bill Burns, Geotechnical Specialist, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (presented by Yumei Wang)	Landslide Types and Causes Abstract
Christine Valentine, Floodplain/Natural Hazards Coordinator, Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and Abby Kershaw, Financial & Recovery Section Director, Oregon Emergency Management (OEM)	The Floods and Landslides of ‘96 and The State’s Response
Gail Achterman, Director, Institute for Natural Resources	The 1998 Task Force on Landslides and Public Safety, Recommendations and Ultimate Result
Mike Ziolko, Meteorology Manager, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Jason Hinkle, Geotechnical Specialist, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)	The Oregon Debris Flow Warning System Abstract
Yumei Wang, Geotechnical Engineer, DOGAMI	An Overview of DOGAMI Landslide Mitigation Efforts Abstract
Scott Burns, Geology Professor, Portland State University	A Collection of Landslide Data and Analysis, Damage Estimates, Plus Highlights of the Work Being Done in Oregon
Andre LeDuc, Oregon Natural Hazards Workgroup (ONHW), Partners for Disaster Resistance & Resilience Oregon Natural Hazards Workshop prize winners	Showcasing the Measurable Activities that Oregon has Accomplished to Reduce Costs Associated with Landslides and Other Disasters since 1996 Abstract Awards presentation recognizing outstanding mitigation efforts in the State of Oregon including: Distinguished Leader in Natural Hazard Risk Reduction – Peter Courtney, Oregon Senate President, District 11 Non-Profit Leader in Natural Hazard Risk Reduction - Angie Karel, Partners for Loss Prevention Outstanding Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan - Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan, Contact: Sara Nicholson Exemplary Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Project - City of Seaside Tsunami Awareness Program, Contact: Kevin Cupples Student Achievement in Natural Hazard Risk Reduction - University of Oregon's Community Planning Workshop Team: Julie Baxter, Morgan Ellis, Jessica Nunley, Kate Lenzser and Sam Fox for the Lane County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Paula Gori, Assistant Coordinator of the US Geological Survey (USGS) Landslide Hazards Program.	Landslide Hazards and Planning Abstract
Dennis Sigrist, Hazard Mitigation Officer, OEM	Oregon Post-disaster Mitigation Activities Following the Three Presidential Disaster Declarations of 1996 and Early 1997
Les Sasaki, Principal Planner, Marion County and Ron Derrick, Senior Development Services Engineer, City of Salem	The City of Salem/Marion County Landslide Ordinance
Ian Madin, DOGAMI and Rex Baum, USGS Landslide Hazards Program	The DOGAMI/USGS Landslide Hazards Partnership and Upcoming Work Madin Abstract Baum Abstract
	Agency Updates / Future Work / Q&A
Vicki McConnell, State Geologist, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)	Wrap-up and Adjourn