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Will Oso tragedy revive stalled national landslide program? Unlikely
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023482419_mudslideprogramxml.htmlTen years ago, a panel of leading scientists called for a comprehensive, national program to reduce the risk from landslides — but the plan was never funded.
Now, experts are wondering whether the tragedy at Oso will revitalize efforts to assess landslide hazards, communicate them to the public and help local communities improve land-use planning.
“I think there’s a chance,” said Peter Lyttle, landslide-program coordinator for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). “As in so many of these awful cases, it’s a teachable moment.”
But even the deaths of more than 40 people may not be enough to shift national priorities, said University of Washington political scientist Peter May, who served on the National Research Council (NRC) committee that authored the report in 2004. It might lead to innovative ways to use existing funds, but I don’t think it will lead to the creation of a serious, national program,” he said.....
Now, experts are wondering whether the tragedy at Oso will revitalize efforts to assess landslide hazards, communicate them to the public and help local communities improve land-use planning.
“I think there’s a chance,” said Peter Lyttle, landslide-program coordinator for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). “As in so many of these awful cases, it’s a teachable moment.”
But even the deaths of more than 40 people may not be enough to shift national priorities, said University of Washington political scientist Peter May, who served on the National Research Council (NRC) committee that authored the report in 2004. It might lead to innovative ways to use existing funds, but I don’t think it will lead to the creation of a serious, national program,” he said.....