Governor Easley and the landslide mapping program
In early October Governor Mike Easley reported that the first of the state advisory landslide hazard maps had been completed for Macon County. The hazard map shows historic landslide events in the county. The Macon County geological research map also attempts to determine factors of slope instability and how far a mountainside would move in the event of slope failure. The governor said "These maps will show which areas are prone to landslides and that will help developers, county officials and residents decide where to safely build homes, roads, and other structures."
Does our state government truly believe that these nonregulatory maps are sensible and safe ways to formulate public policy for the prevention of future landslides in the fifteen counties that were declared federal disaster areas in September 2004? It is a fact that mountain slope construction and mountain slope living is dangerous. The state has relegated responsibilty for the control of hazardous land to parties that do not have the authority, will power, or knowledge to protect against the next landslide disaster. The state has unfairly burdened the real estate industry, local government, and buyers with the critical responsiblity of interpreting and responding to scientific data on a geologic landslide hazard map.
The real estate industry does not have the authority to pass slope regulations or to oversee compliance of these regulations. That serious concern falls to the counties, towns, and cities in Western North Carolina. How do local governments respond to the hazard map and to the reality that large portions of developable land in their jurisdiction are at high to moderate risk for probable environmental disasters? The answer depends on the experience and the intentions of the governing body and their ability to pass enforceable safe slope building regulations.
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