Blueridge Landslide Coroner’s Report Includes Recommendations for APEGBC
The Coroner’s Report into the death of a woman killed in the 2005 Blueridge landslide in North Vancouver recommends further action from APEGBC and the provincial government to institute a strategy for dealing with landslide risks. Eliza Wing Mun Kuttner died when a landslide descended on her home from 90 metres above.
The report recommends that APEGBC and the provincial government consider the development of a specialist designation for professionals conducting landslide analyses and assessments, and that APEGBC support initiatives to develop and maintain a publicly accessible landslide information databank.
These recommendations build upon the Guidelines for Legislated Landslide Assessments for Proposed Residential Developments in BC. These guidelines were developed by APEGBC in 2005 to assist its members working in this field to identify appropriate considerations that should be addressed when carrying out geotechnical hazard assessments. In 2007, APEGBC received funding from the provincial government to revise the guideline to include procedures for estimating seismic slope displacements. The revised guidelines are expected to be released in September 2008.
APEGBC’s Council will be discussing the recommendations put forward in the Coroner’s Report and looks forward to working with municipal and provincial government to address and resolve this issue.