LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Consultants Assessing Keet Landslide Risks
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
A preliminary finding from a city consultant says that the Gavan Hill area, including Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School, “may contain landslide hazard zones.”
“We’ve received an oral preliminary assessment that indicates that Keet Gooshi Heen may be subject to moderate landslide risk,” City Administrator Mark Gorman said in a news release issued at 1:35 p.m. today. “Moving forward we are exploring collaboration with NOAA and other agencies on development of an early warning system, but at this point it is too early to say whether it is possible to provide accurate and reliable warnings about landslide risk.”
The city “intends to contract” with the Seattle firm Shannon & Wilson Inc. Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants, to develop a comprehensive report on the risk in the area, including proposed mitigation if applicable. This is the same company that completed the preliminary assessment of Gavan Hill, as well as the risk assessment of the south Kramer Avenue slide area, in the wake of the Aug. 18, 2015, landslide.
The scope of that work included a definition of the landslide hazard in the vicinity, and an assessment of the risk of future slope instability. In the hazard map, areas were delineated as low-, medium-, and high-risk slide zones.
Sitka Mayor Mim McConnell said the news today gives her “concern,” but said she believes it’s better to know the risks than not.
“I have concern for our populations that could be in jeopardy at some point in the future,” she said. “But I think it’s a good thing to be looking to see what kind of mitigation we can do, looking forward.”
She said the Assembly made a decision to find out more about the hillsides, following last August’s slides that killed three people and damaged property around town. Those slides followed 2.5-inches of rainfall in a six-hour period.
“I think it was smart to look into this and find out what areas may be at risk,” McConnell said. “We seem to be going down that path. At this point, it’s kind of a given – we don’t stop and not proceed.”
School district superintendent Mary Wegner said she supports the additional research.
“I appreciate the city’s due diligence in contracting this firm to get more information,” Wegner said. “Student and staff safety is a top concern. ... I don’t think it’s a shock that a school so close to a mountain would be at moderate risk for a slide. Once we learn more information we’ll make appropriate evacuation plans should there be a risk of a landslide.”
The school district has an evacuation plan for emergencies. In the citywide emergency plan, Keet Gooshi Heen is the secondary emergency operations center, after the fire hall, said Fire Chief Dave Miller.
The report for the Gavan Hill area is expected to be similar in form to the one already done for the south Kramer Avenue area, and should be available for release by the end of December, city staff said.
Work to study the areas and repair infrastructure, including roads, land and buildings, is ongoing, the news release said.
Gorman said the city wants to get the information out to citizens as quickly as possible. Those seeking more information may contact the City and Borough of Sitka at 747-1808.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.