Landslide Hazards

A National Issue

Paula Gori,
U. S. Geological Survey
Assistant Coordinator,
Landslide Hazards Program
Reston, Virginia
Property loss grows annually

Some of the most

costly landslides in the
US have been during
El Nino related storms
in 1883-84 and 1998.

The Nisqually
earthquake in Seattle
in 2000 caused $30
mil. in damage from
landslides.
 Landslides result in deaths and injuries

A massive landslide
in 1985 in Puerto
Rico killed 129
people.

Many of the deaths

resulting from
Hurricane Camille in
1969 were caused
by debris flows.
The presentation will address:

The roles of Federal, State, and Local

governments and the private sector in
reducing losses from landslides.

The American Planning/USGS project to

increase aware and understand of landslide
hazards by the planning community.
 The presentation will address: (cont.)

The resources that land-use planners can

utilize now to reduce landslide hazards.

The plans for next year’s APA conference

in Denver, Colorado, on landslide hazards.
 Landslide Hazards are a National Issue

Because landslide hazards cross many

jurisdictional lines, no single state or local
jurisdiction can muster the resources
necessary to deal with landslide hazards.

Because landslide hazards, like earthquakes

and volcanoes, occur infrequently and are
costly to mitigate.
 The U.S. Geological Survey’s Role

The USGS is responsible for providing

impartial earth science information to public
officials and others.

The Stafford Act (1974 Disaster Relief Act)

gives the USGS the responsibility to issue
disaster warnings.

The USGS is the recognized authority on

landslide hazards in the U.S.
 The Federal Role Focuses on:

Research
Training
Information Dissemination
Regional Assessments
Development of new technology and
methodology, and modeling
Warning and Prediction
 The USGS Landslide Hazards Program

Investigates landslide hazards caused by

earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, floods and
wildfires.

Characterizes landslide processes.

Monitors and forecasts potential landslides.

Responds to landslide emergencies and disaster

nationwide and internationally.

Provides timely information through the National

Landslide Information Center.
 The Role of FEMA

Responsible for emergency management and

long-term mitigation of natural hazards
including landslides.

Coordinates emergency response, disaster

recovery, and hazard mitigation efforts.

Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration

provides insurance coverage for flood damages
including mudslides.
 The Roles of Other Federal Agencies

The National Science Foundation and the

NASA fund landslide hazard research
through universities.

The National Weather Service provides

weather forecasts and assists in emergency
response activities.
The Role of Other Federal Agencies (cont.)

The following agencies manage large land

holdings and infrastructure and play a role in
landslide hazard reduction:

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

 Bureau of Land Management
 U.S. Forest Service
 National Park Service
 Department of Transportation
 Bureau of Reclamation
 The Role of the States
States vary in their approach to managing
landslide hazards--Only a few states have
regulatory authority for landslide hazards.

Some state geological surveys produce inventories

and maps of landslides and landslide-prone areas.

Some states also monitor landslide-prone areas

and support research.

States support response and recovery efforts

following landslides.
 The Role of Local Governments
The reduction of landslide losses through sound
land-use planning and building, grading and
zoning codes is a local government responsibility.

Regulatory approaches vary widely.

In times of disaster, local governments have the

responsibility for issuing landslide warnings and
managing the emergency response unless it
declared a a state or national emergency.
 The Role of the Private Sector
Private sector geologists, planners, and engineers
work mainly as consultants for both local
governments and private property owners by
investigating landslide hazard areas and
recommending hazard reduction measures.

Faculty and researchers at universities conduct

research on landslide processes, develop
monitoring and mitigation techniques and
advance scientific methods to understand the
hazard.
 The Role of Professional Societies

Serve as conduits of information between

researchers and practitioners.

Promote best practices, model codes, guidebooks

and training.

The APA, American Society of Engineers, and

Association of Engineering Geologists serve these
functions for landslide hazard issues.
Landslide Hazards and Planning Project

The main goal of the USGS/APA

project is to educate the planning
community on landslide hazards and
how to reduce their impacts on
communities and individuals.
 USGS/APA Project Outcomes

The USGS and the APA will publish a practical

guidebook for planners entitled “Landslide
Hazards and Planning” in the spring of 2003.

The two organizations are also collaborating on

training and workshops for local planners and
curriculum for planning schools.

APA maintains a web site on landslide hazards:

www.planning.org/Landslides
http://planning.org/landslide.
 Other Products and Activities

APA maintains an electronic mailing list of

interested planners:
http://list.planning.org/mailman/listinfo/landslides-1
www.planning.org/Landslides

Referral service

APA member newsletters, journals articles and

CD-ROMs
 Guidebook Contents

Overview of landslide hazards in the US

Incorporating landslide issues into the
planning process
Regulatory Tools
Case Studies
GIS Tools
Recommendations
Appendices – Model Ordinances
 Available Resources for Planners:

State Geological Surveys

National Landslide Information Center at:

www.landslides.usgs.gov
www.landslides.usgs.gov

University planning, geology and engineering

departments
 Planning for 2003 APA Conference

Roll out of the Handbook.

Session on experiences with landslide hazard

planning and disasters.

Session for Federal government planners.

GIS and computer-based training.

Mobile workshops to landslides near Denver.