RSSMining suspended near Nile land slide
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- Fire forces evacuation of apartment building on North Sixth Street
- Bilingual education forum scheduled in Wapato
- Information session on immigration planned
- Yakima woman involved in fatal crash near Pasco
- Interstate 90 traffic detoured after truck accident
- It's on! Shoppers are out seeking bargains
- Palin makes pit stop for Tri-Cities Turkey Trot
NILE, Wash. — Saying any renewal of operations could cause additional landslides, the state Department of Natural Resources this morning imposed an emergency order suspending mining at the Simmons and Son Hauling gravel pit.
The order stops the firm from attempting to resume mining in the wake of the 80-acre Nile landslide on the morning of Oct. 11 that partially covered the pit, located along State Route 410.
The order said DNR was prompted to take action after representatives of the pit’s owners indicated they would resume mining.
According to the order, renewal of mining on the 50-acre site would threaten additional slides that could bury additional homes.
“Mining companies normally do not propose mining on active landslides,” the order said. “Mining in these areas are inherently dangerous and pose a tremendous challenge to re-establish a stable slope upon final reclamation.”
Geologists have not determined the cause of the slilde that buried a portion of the highway and dammed the Naches River.
Conjecture exists about whether the pit played a role in triggering the slide.
The pit is located near the western edge of a massive 6-mile landslide that occurred as much as 1 million years ago.
-- David Lester
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
