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Landslide Mitigation Efforts

landslide

Although landslides are a hazard in all 50 States and U.S. territories there is currently little national effort to reduce landslide hazards and damage. Generally, national attention and funding have been deficient to adequately address landslide hazards. There are local examples of successful landslide hazard mitigation. For example, in the Los Angeles area a 92-97% reduction in landslide losses for new construction was achieved by implementing appropriate zoning regulations.

The Approaches

Both "hard" and "soft" approaches can be taken to mitigate landslide hazards.

  • Hard solutions include constructing debris dams, retaining walls, and drainage systems in landslide-prone areas.

  • Soft solutions include avoiding landslide hazard areas by proper zoning and land-use regulations. Long-term hazard reduction and avoidance can likely be achieved most efficiently by implementing soft solutions to landslide hazards. Also, zoning and land-use regulations are more cost-effective measures over the long-term than constructing debris dams and retaining walls.

Overall an effective landslide mitigation program should address emergency management and response and long-term hazard reduction.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Multi-hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: A Cornerstone of the National Mitigation Strategy. Washington, D.C., 1995 pg. 369

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