WSR 09-21-051

PROCLAMATION

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR


[ October 12, 2009 ]


PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR

09-05



WHEREAS, on October 11, 2009, a large scale landslide uplifted a large section of State Route (SR) 410 and pushed it and a significant amount of earth into the Naches River, destroying at least two homes, extensively damaging SR 410, changing the river's course, and causing the evacuation of nearby residents as a result of potential flooding; and


As a result of the massive landslide, on October 12, 2009, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Washington State Patrol (WSP) closed a 47-mile section of SR 410 between Mount Rainier National Park's Lake Tipsoo and the junction with US 12, five miles west of Naches, and the expected duration of the closure is currently unknown; and


The estimated cost to repair the damage is over $1,000,000, the highway repair project is expected to be complex and relatively lengthy, the emergency condition has eliminated vehicle traffic on the highway and caused significant detours, delays, and inconvenience that affect public health and safety; and


Such conditions will persist until the repair work is completed and the highway reopened to vehicles; and


WSDOT is coordinating resources to repair the highway and rechannel the river, is continuing to assess the damage caused by this event, and is working closely with local jurisdictions to develop short- and long-term repairs for the roadway and detours; and


It is necessary for the Washington State Department of Transportation to use emergency contracting procedures; and


The landslide and its effects continue to impact the life and health of our citizens, as well as the property, and transportation infrastructure of Washington State, and is a public disaster that affects life, health, property or public peace.


NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the above-noted situation and under Chapters 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Yakima County in the State of Washington, and direct the plans and procedures in the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the event.


Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington this 12th day of October, A.D, Two Thousand and Nine at Olympia, Washington.
By:
Christine O. Gregoire

Governor

BY THE GOVERNOR:
Sam Reed
Secretary of State

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