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002872 The three landslide plans have been developed by local emergency management directors and their planning teams, with technical assistance provided by Colorado Geological Survey and DODES. In recognition of a serious threat to lives and property in each county, the plans are intended to address the unique challenges pres~nted in the planning, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of a landslide disaster, and to provide for effective direction and control, communications, warning, evacuation, sheltering, and public information services by emergency management officials. A Hazard Analysis has been developed as part of each plan to assist planners and response authorities by identifying population, structures, and critical facilities/services that are located in areas of greatest risk. The testing of existing plans through formal exercises has already begun and more landslide and debris flow exercises are planned for each county in the future. Refinements to plans and hazard analyses will be a continuous process as the pressures of new development are certain to broaden the problem, in spite of all efforts to discourage development on and below the steeper slopes. Local planning teams recognize that a program of long-term hazard reduction, together with a strong emergency management capability, is necessary to effectively reduce the vulnerability of the subject communities over time. In light of the budget constraints on local governments, particularly in western Colorado, a multi-year plan (usually five) is followed for funding mitigation projects, filling resource needs and improving emergency management capabilities in general. Local planning teams: Among the participants on local landslide planning teams in the case study counties are County Commissioners, Emergency Directors, City/County Planners, City/County Engineers, 8uilding Inspectors and Road and 8ridge Department personnel. Although the level of planning activity for landslides varies between these counties, each has recognized the threat and, at a minimum, has upgraded emergency plans and preparedness activities with the support of local leadership. While a significant threat to the public still exists, particularly at Dowd's Junction and Glenwood Springs, each county has enjoyed some progress toward alleviating the direct threat to life and property. The completion of hazard maps and technical studies, limited structural protection, hazard insurance, land use restrictions, relocation and the development and exercising of emergency operations plans are among the mitigation successes that can be - 87 -