Gregoire seeks delay in federal landslide damage survey

NILE, Wash. — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is asking federal officials for more time to assess damage from the Oct. 11 Nile Valley landslide for a possible federal disaster declaration.

The request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a 30-day extension until Dec. 9 is likely to be approved, state officials said.

At the same time, Gregoire asked the federal Small Business Administration to declare an economic injury disaster for businesses that have suffered losses as a result of the slide.

Five businesses along State Route 410 suffered substantial economic injury from the slide, which initially closed off access for motorists and as many as 600 residents in the area.

The anticipated disaster declaration would make businesses eligible for low-interest loans to deal with their losses.

Both letters went out Monday afternoon, according to a governor’s spokeswoman.

In her letter to FEMA, Gregoire said the 30-day extension from FEMA will allow state officials to complete their analysis and verification of damage to public infrastructure and private property in the Nile area.

On Friday, the state Emergency Management Division concluded that the uninsured loss of nine homes wasn’t sufficient for the owners to receive federal help. Gregoire’s request for more time appears to be an attempt to keep the state’s options for assistance open.

Rob Harper, public information officer for the state Emergency Management Division, said the additional time will allow for a better review of the impacts the slide had on public roads and other facilities, as well as private property.

“We have to look more at the public sector piece of that and figure out what is going to be the extent of the work,” he said.

Cost of such work must reach a threshold of $7.6 million before a request can be made for a federal disaster declaration.

The landslide covered State Route 410 and blocked the Naches River. Temporary access on the Nile Road opened to the general public 10 days after the slide.

Yakima County is working to create a new channel for the Naches River around the slide, 10 miles northwest of Naches.

The state Department of Transportation is working on a new road that will maintain vehicle access through the Nile area. The hope is to have the road completed by Thanksgiving.

• David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.

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