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Washington Geological Survey shows Thurston County landslide inventory as residents press for stronger CAO protections
Summary
At a Jan. 7 Planning Commission meeting, Washington Geological Survey staff demonstrated new high-resolution landslide mapping and a public portal intended as a screening tool for site investigations. Multiple residents urged the county to use the data to strengthen the Critical Areas Ordinance and to limit harms from upslope forestry and land-disturbing activities.
Washington Geological Survey staff presented a new, county-scale landslide inventory and public-facing mapping portal to the Thurston County Planning Commission on Jan. 7, emphasizing the product is a screening tool that identifies past landslide deposits and other hazard features for further site-specific review.
"We are tasked with using the best available science to identify and map landslide hazards," said Mitch Allen of the Washington Geological Survey during the presentation, describing mapping methods that rely on high-resolution LiDAR, field checks, and a review process involving licensed engineering geologists. Allen said the inventory draws polygons for landslide deposits, fans and rockfall and assigns confidence ratings that are visible to portal users.
The presentation followed several public comments urging tighter local protections tied to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). "I ask that the updated CAO adopt performance-based protections to ensure…
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