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).

  Panel Presentation at Landslide Forum 2006

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