Town of Eatonville Landslide Hazard Areas

     The above map shows the landslide areas in the town limits. Much of the slide area in red is within the plat in question. Just under 100 homes are supposed to be built on the property. This map was copied from the Eatonville Comprehensive Plan of 1993. The Rath project was approved during former mayor Cliff Murphy's administration. Below is a letter sent to Interim Public Works Director Greg Wilder by Pat Van Eaton, a licensed geologist. Van Eaton is expressing his concern about the steep slopes cut into the small mountain and liabilities possibly faced by the town. 

Van Eaton Letter to Public Works Director

October 30, 2003

Date:         10/28/03

To:            Greg Wilder

From:        Pat Van Eaton

Subject:    Rath Plat

     Dear Mr. Wilder, I have examined aerial photos of this project as well as ground observations combined with the examination of the project engineering records on file with the town, and cannot find any soils engineering on the steep slopes that have been created on this project. These steep slopes, greater than 2:1, have been built in a landslide hazard area according to the map on figure 7-4 Eatonville Comprehensive Plan of 12/27/1993.
    There are obvious legal liabilities when the engineering requirements of PCSM (Pierce County Stormwater Manual) & SD (Site Development) Manual are ignored. (Item # 87 general site development review checklist.) Compliance with the PCSM & SD Manual, appendix G, page G-2 #5, has not been achieved on these slopes. It appears these problems could have been avoided if the PCSM & SD Manual had been adhered to, and enforced. I'm looking forward to your response.

                                       
Best Regards,

Pat Van Eaton

Aerial Photograph of Rath Cut...

Cul-de-sacs Indicate Future Development on Rath Plat

                                                                                       (Photo by Donny O'Brien)

For more aerial photos please see More Photos

                                                                                                                        Back to Top

                                                                                                                                   Back to Front Page

     We Care!