ORS 195.256 Legislative findings

The Legislative Assembly finds that:

Many locations in Oregon are subject to naturally occurring landslide hazards, and some human activities may accelerate the incidence or increase the adverse effects of those hazards.

Rapidly moving landslides present the greatest risk to human life, and persons living in or traveling through areas prone to rapidly moving landslides are at increased risk of serious bodily injury or death.

Although some risk from rapidly moving landslides can be mitigated through proper siting and construction techniques, sites that are vulnerable to impact from rapidly moving landslides are generally unsuitable for permanent habitation.

Activities that require sound decisions to mitigate rapidly moving landslide hazards and risks include but are not limited to:

Siting or constructing homes or other structures in areas prone to rapidly moving landslides;

Occupying existing homes or other structures in areas prone to rapidly moving landslides during periods of high risk due to heavy or extended rainfall;

Conducting land management activities that may adversely alter the susceptibility of land to rapidly moving landslides; and

Operating motor vehicles in areas known to be subject to rapidly moving landslides.