Loggers and locals have long been conflicted over potential landslides in the Oso, Washington area. In 1997, the state Department of Ecology commissioned a new map of the unstable plateau above Oso. The mapmakers suggested boundaries for safe logging areas. According to a report in today's Seattle Times, in spite of praising the map and the accompanying report (created by geologist Daniel Miller and hydrologist Joan Sias), the Department of Natural Resources failed to take its suggested boundaries into account when, around 2005, it issued permits for a 7.5 acre clearcut.The August 2005 clearcut, of land owned by Grandy Lake Forest, covered much of the area that would have been protected had DNR followed the prescription of the Miller map. The Seattle Times also notes that clearcutting appears to have extended beyond its permit onto restricted land. Less than six months later, in January, 2006, a landslide hit Oso, a landslide that looked eerily similar to this year's fatal hillside collapse — only smaller. — C.H.
Did a clear cut contribute to the Oso slide?
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By Berit Anderson
Berit Anderson was Managing Editor at Crosscut, following tech, culture, media and politics. She founded Crosscut's Community Idea Lab. Previously community manager of the Tribune Company’
Berit Anderson was Managing Editor at Crosscut, following tech, culture, media and politics. She founded Crosscut's Community Idea Lab. Previously community manager of the Tribune Company’