RESOLUTION NO. 2007-10

RESOLUTION DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY

DUE TO LANDSLIDE ACTIVITY

 

               

WHEREAS, the Skamania County Director of Emergency Management has reported to the Board of County Commissioners that beginning November 10, 2006, landslide activity was observed in the Piper Road area of Stevenson. Beginning February 2, 2007, increased activity has caused the threat of an emergency/disaster by creating the threat of damming of Rock Creek and flooding in parts of Skamania County; and

 

WHEREAS, expected debris of 2 to 8 million cubic yards damming Rock Creek, and possible flooding when debris fails, would cause closure of some roads and possible evacuation, and may cause damage to County/City roads and bridges, private roads and bridges, homes, businesses, sewer, septic and water systems, power lines, gas lines, State Hwy 14 and a railroad; and

 

WHEREAS, under the above referenced conditions there is substantial likelihood of risk to persons, property and the environment unless further efforts are taken to reduce the threat; and

 

WHEREAS, due to the threat to lives and property, the County Sheriff/DEM Director hereby requests immediate public access closure to Rock Creek drainage from the bridge on Rock Creek Drive to the Rock Creek Bridge on Ryan Allen Road; and

 

WHEREAS, the conditions stated above constitute an emergency/disaster for the areas of the County proximate to the Rock Creek area, necessitating activation of the Skamania County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and the utilization of emergency powers granted pursuant to RCW 36.40.180, 38.52.070(2), and 38.52.110(1);

 

NOW THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners of Skamania County, Washington, do resolve as follows:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby declared an emergency, as defined in the Skamania County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (PLAN), due to the imminent threat of landslides, damming/flooding in Skamania County. 

 

Section 2.  Pursuant to the emergency declared in Section 1, County departments and offices, as designated pursuant to the PLAN, are authorized to enter into contract and incur obligations necessary to combat such emergency with approval of the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners to protect the health and safety of persons, property, and the environment, and provide emergency assistance to the victims of such emergency, consistent with the PLAN.

 

Section 3.  It is hereby declared that in the interest of public safety, public access to Rock Creek drainage from the bridge on Rock Creek Drive to the Rock Creek Bridge on Ryan Allen Road is closed to the public until further notice.

 

Section 4.  The declaration of a local emergency set forth in Section 1 shall terminate by the issuance of a subsequent rescinding Resolution which shall follow when the Board determines that the extraordinary measures contained herein are no longer required for the protection of the public peace, safety, and welfare.

 

APPROVED this 5th day of February 2007.