Municipal
Affairs
November 17, 2009
Landslide Safety Zones to
Continue in Daniel�s Harbour and Trout River
In the interest of public
safety and in response to consultants� reviews of site
conditions, available data and landslide assessments,
the Provincial Government has expanded the safety zone
in Daniel�s Harbour and will continue the safety zone in
Trout River. Affected property owners will receive
compensation at the replacement value of their
properties.
�Following landslide events in both communities and
review and assessment by government officials and
municipal engineering consultants, it was determined
that both areas remain unstable and that the potential
for additional landslides exists,� said the Honourable
Tom Hedderson, Minister of Municipal Affairs (Acting).
�Future landslides are difficult to predict and there
remains substantial uncertainty about the timing,
trigger and magnitude of potential landslides in these
areas. We are not willing to risk the lives of
residents, and further damage to infrastructure, and
feel that for the protection of individuals who reside
in these safety zones, we will evacuate these areas.�
Safety zones have been in place since landslides
occurred in Daniel�s Harbour in 2006, and Trout River in
June 2009. The safety zone in Daniels Harbour has been
extended to include an additional 23 properties, in
addition to the 10 properties impacted following the
initial landslide in 2006. Six properties are impacted
in Trout River as a result of the safety zone.
Meetings have been held with town officials and
residents this week to discuss the decision to establish
safety zones. Property owners will be compensated in
accordance with past practice of replacement value for
their properties.
�We are addressing immediate concerns expressed by
residents about a future landslide threat, and will
provide compensation to allow them to move out of the
affected areas and to re-establish themselves,� said
Minister Hedderson. �We are sensitive to the residents
who are affected by this decision, but feel we have a
responsibility in the interest of public safety to
protect these areas in the event of additional
landslides which are unpredictable.�
Since an initial landslide in Daniel�s Harbour in
October 2006, four separate landslides have occurred in
the town. Ten properties were displaced and owners
received government compensation as a result of the
establishment of a safety zone. The Town of Trout River
experienced two landslides in June 2009, displacing
residents of six properties.
�The process of appraising properties will begin
immediately, with an expectation to have agreements in
place with property owners by March 31, 2010, and we
will then set a reasonable target date to vacate
properties,� said Minister Hedderson.
Officials with the Department of Municipal Affairs will
maintain a regular presence in both areas.
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2009 11 17
1:50 p.m. |