Notes from the Blueridge Community Association Question and Answer session with James Ridge held May 10, 2005
| · | There have been 11 claims filed involving 20 residents. |
| · | Staff have been told by the insurance companies that they would be personally sued if they say anything that compromises the financial position of the district. |
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There was a rainfall amount of approximately 400mm in the 7 days immediately preceding the slide. |
| · | The three families at the top of the slide + the Dykes and the Kuttners remain evacuated. |
| · | Approximately $500K has been spent in preparation of the forensic report. |
| · | The forensic report will say what contributed to the cause of the slide, not what actually caused it. |
| · | The study may not become public until after it is introduced in court. |
| · | The 2 slabs on either side of the landslide are at higher risk of sliding during high water levels for a period of time after the landlside. |
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The Perrault backyard is gone. |
| · | The Norris backyard has a corner missing. |
| · | A decision as to whether they will ever be allowed to return home has yet to be made. |
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It would require piles to be driven in and the back yards restored. |
| · | Some of the Dykes backyard has now been used for drainage culverts. |
| · | A predictive computer model is being developed using the following variables: - piezometer water levels and pressures - rain patterns using various collection points around the district - creek water levels on certain key creeks |
| · | James Ridge is a Blueridge resident. |
| · | The slope stability monitoring program will be kept in place permanently. |
| · | The district will never be able to guarantee total slope stability. |
| · | The focus will be on life safety. |
| · | High risk escarpments exist in Pemberton Heights, Lynn Valley, and Riverside. |
| · | An estimate of the cost to fully control debris flow across the district is $40M. That would require an 80% tax increase. |
| · | Its a matter of prioritizing what to do first and how far to go. |
| · | In addition to Landslides, the district is also involved in minimizing risks from Earthquakes and Fires. Some experts say that the area is 200 years overdue for a significant earthquake and 50 years overdue for a significant fire. |
| · | The district will be preparing a Homeowners guide which will contain recommendations on how to prepare for Earthquake, Fire, and Slide emergencies. |
| · | Geotechs will be made available to evaluate the properties of concerned homeowners in July and August. |
| · | Current district bylaws do not allow the district to force homeowners to change the slope geometry of their yards. This can be done while provincial emergency powers are in effect. |
| · | Electronic monitoring of piezometer levels was supposed to be intalled by the end of April. This has been delayed and the current date of completion is unknown. |
| · | There are 8 piezometes installed right now. The current locations may be changed. |