Index slide continues

In the 18 months since it first started to slide in December 2013, the hillside south of Sunset Falls near Index has continued to creep steadily toward the Skykomish River.

Previously, a private roadway known as the Mt. Index River Road wound through this portion of the Mt. Index Riversites area, a small community along the south fork of the Skykomish River roughly 3-1/2 miles south of the town of Index. As a result of the hillside continuing to shift and move, the roadway eventually became completely impassable. As of early last year, between 80 and 100 Snohomish County citizens living east of the slide area were completely isolated, with no access to U.S. 2. This was due to the unique formation of the river as it twists through the area.-á

The problem was corrected with a new bridge installed last summer, after a series of negotiations between the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) and the Mt. Index Riversites Community Club (MIRCC) Board of Directors.-á

The two organizations formed a contract to share the cost of a bridge that would span the Skykomish River near Canyon Falls, to facilitate U.S. 2 access for the residents living east of the slide.-á

For MIRCC, the contract enabled them to obtain the financial assistance necessary to complete the bridge project. For the PUD, it streamlined access necessary for it to move forward with the Sunset Fish Passage and Energy Project, a potential hydropower project slated for the area. PUD is seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to proceed with the project.-á

While the hydroelectric project has been altered dramatically since its inception, including the removal of any cross-river structure, residents opposing the project have concerns over the proposed underground tunnel that would extend from the point of intake to the north side of Sunset Falls.-á

The 23-foot-diameter tunnel, which would be located immediately adjacent to the slide area toward the east, would extend 800 feet to a fish screen facility. From there, a 150-foot vertical shaft would be constructed, from which an adjoining tunnel would extend 1,400 feet to the powerhouse by Sunset Falls. The second portion of the tunnel would be roughly 21.5 feet in diameter and located north of the slide area.-á

The tunnels would be constructed by controlled dynamite blasts.-á

Residents who live west of the slide area are concerned about the tunnel and how it could impact the roadway near Sunset Falls, which has continued to deteriorate. Debris from the northern-most portion of the slide area have now begun to feed directly into the water at the base of Sunset Falls.

A visual survey of the landslide indicates its rotational nature, meaning that the slide appears deep-seated. Evidence of the rotational slide can be observed by viewing the trees that appear to have been uprooted and knocked backward toward the slope, rather than plummeting forward. The upper scarp is bare and dramatic, and live debris has collected in a secondary scarp, indicating recent movement as the foliage is still green. -á

Dr. Pete Rainey, owns a home less than a half-mile from the slide area. He has been dissatisfied with the results of the PUD's geotechnical studies and has submitted numerous comments to FERC for its consideration.-á

"Blasting of the proposed tunnels will occur close to and along the full length of the north side of the slide,GÇ¥ Rainey wrote. "If the Sunset Falls slide failed catastrophically GÇô triggered, for example, by blasting GÇô we could all be injured or killed.GÇ¥

The PUD has responded to landslide concerns with numerous geotechnical studies. -á

"The final report concludes that blasting is not anticipated to induce landslides, but includes recommendations for field monitoring and use of a blasting consultant to verify safe conditions during the construction phase,GÇ¥ responded PUD.-á

"From my point of view, the landslide is a loaded gun pointed at my home, and SnoPUD is asking FERC for permission to play with this gun, although they have not made a meaningful effort to understand how it works,GÇ¥ Rainey wrote.-á

In addition to mud and other debris, the slow-moving landslide has introduced a small, gray car and a large, red shipping container into the waters of the Skykomish River. Residents are concerned that, as the region continues to move, other toxic items will end up in the river. There are several deserted homes and cabins perched precariously on the hillside.

Emergency assistance has been greatly inhibited by the fact that government agencies including the state, the county and FEMA, are disallowed from dedicating public funds to assist privately-owned roadways and residences.

Initially, all structures in the slide area were yellow-tagged by the Snohomish County fire marshal, meaning that owners were allowed limited entry with no overnight occupancy. As the slide continued to progress, the yellow tags were upgraded to red tags, which disallowed any form of occupancy. The structures, now empty, are unstable, cracked and in an eerie state of disrepair.

According to Snohomish County Fire Marshal Mike McCrary, the road is unusable. It would be up to the MIRCC Board of Directors to attempt repairs, which would be contingent on permits and engineering approvals.-á

Currently, the roadway that winds down to the base of Sunset Falls has been blocked off by the MIRCC Board of Directors.

For more information on the Sunset Fish Passage and Energy project, visit www.snopud.com/?p=1956. -á -á -á