Last week, Third District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and First District Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Mercer Island, announced that Clark County will receive $299,250 from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as part of a nearly $1 million federal investment in landslide preparedness and research efforts nationwide that will save lives and better protect communities.
This funding was made possible through DelBene’s National Landslide Preparedness Act, which was signed into law in January 2021 and expires at the end of September 2024. In April, Gluesenkamp Perez helped pass a provision in the House to reauthorize the law through 2028, which is awaiting action in the Senate.
The funding will be used by the Washington Geological Survey to survey potential landslide hazards in a 250-square-mile area of Clark County, which will support planning, mitigation and emergency preparedness, according to a news release.
“Landslides are dangerous, destroy infrastructure, and cut off access for emergency services and transportation. Southwest Washington has recently experienced several landslides which can be devastating for small businesses, impact entire communities, and take all hands on deck to overcome,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in the release. “With federal funds from the National Landslide Preparedness Act on their way to Clark County, we’ll be able to better prepare for these disasters and identify landslide-prone areas before it’s too late. I’ll keep working with my colleagues to ensure our House-passed provisions to reauthorize this vital program are signed into law to support more projects like this one.”
Casey Hanell, Washington State geologist and director of the Washington Geological Survey, said in the release that landslides are one of the “most common and devastating” natural hazards in Washington.
“Mapping existing landslide hazards and understanding where future landslide dangers are present is foundational for informed decision making by planners, local officials, and emergency managers,” Hanell said. “The Washington Geological Survey is grateful to receive grant funding from the newly established Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program authorized by the National Landslide Preparedness Act. The program furthers partnerships among those working to mitigate harm from landslide hazards, allowing for efficient use of funds and the ability to accomplish more working together across all levels of government.”
The National Landslide Preparedness Act authorized two grant programs designed to improve preparedness and mitigation efforts. This funding represents the first round of grants from the Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program.
