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<br />002831 <br /> <br />In view of the many elements of society that can be held liable following a <br />landslide, it is logical that this liability can be perceived as a significant <br />threat and can stimulate action. Such a threat can serve as an incentive to <br />take mitigation measures and as a disincentive to simply maintain the status <br />quo. As more of the public becomes aware of the landslide hazard and the <br />resulting consequences, the chances are increased that people and governments <br />will take positive action to prevent excessive exposure to liability. <br /> <br />Information Dissemination - In view of the severe losses and liabilities <br />possible in Colorado's landslide environment, means of decreasing real or <br />potential impacts on society should be reviewed. First in importance among <br />the various available societal incentives to an active mitigation program is <br />the spread of information or the heighteni~g of public awareness about the <br />problem. There is inconsistency of information a~d hazard awareness among the <br />public and in local governments across the state. Many people are unaware <br />that they live in a location that could destroy or damage their homes. Many <br />governments are unaware of the landslide threat to the infrastructure: roads, <br />bridges, utilities, buildings for which the information is available. Few, if <br />any, legal and statutory mechanisms guarantee the transmission of the <br />information to prospective buyers. In addition, even if owners have access to <br />hazard information, renters are not necessarily informed of hazards to their <br />lives and personal property. There are many layers to this problem of uneven <br />availability of information. Land-use planning and building permit agencies <br />serving the public do not always act upon such information even when they have <br />it. Finally, even if the information is gathered, made understandable to the <br />lay-person, and ,disseminated to the community, citizens may not incorporate <br />the information into their actions. <br /> <br />To further identify the relationships between information and liability, its <br />unlikely that cities or counties will be found liable for landslide damages <br />that resulted from planning decisions, as long as they make policy decisions <br />taking all available information into account. Information about 1ands1iding <br />as a hazard becomes a powerful determinant of the various means chosen to <br />mitigate landslide impacts. Private lending and insurance are two important <br />means of impact modification. <br /> <br />Lending Policies - Private lenders and government lending agencies can help <br />reduce landslide hazards by denying loans or requiring nonsubsidized insurance <br /> <br />~ 45 - <br />