Landslide threatens upper Elochoman Road

The Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Wednesday, 2 p.m., to consider the possible closure of the upper Elochoman Valley Road.

A landslide blocked the road near Milepost 10.3 last Friday, and the County Road Department had to clean rock and debris to reopen the road.

On Tuesday, Public Works Director Pete Ringensaid he was concerned about the stability of the slope above the road, which consisted of fractured basalt.

Ringen has asked a geo-technical engineer to check the slope and give an evaluation so that he can prepare a report and recommendation for the commissioners.

" After hearing my report tomorrow, the commissioners may decide it would be best to close the road for public safety reasons, until an action

plan for the slide can be put into place," Ringen said Tuesday.

The slide occurred beyond the last residence on the road, which is used primarily by forest industry vehicles at that point.

The Wednesday meeting occurred after The Eagle had gone to press. Check The Eagle's website, http://www.waheagle.com, for an update.