Thanks to dry summer weather and a collaborative project team that included community members from the Stillaguamish Valley, Snohomish County will wrap up its debris removal and processing work in the 530 slide area Friday, Sept. 12, nearly 10 days ahead of schedule.

“What made this project so successful – and what helped us finish our work so quickly – was the partnership between IMCO construction and community members working as spotters,” said Snohomish County Executive Director Gary Haakenson, who oversees the county’s long-term recovery team. “Everyone involved in the debris removal was committed to treating the area with respect and making sure they left a safe, stable site for the community.”

During construction – which began June 30 – crews removed and processed more than 200,000 cubic
yards of material in the slide area. Crews recovered nearly 1,000 personal items, many of which were
reunited with family members.

The majority of the material stayed on site – roughly 85 percent was earthen material, with 10 percent
woody debris – and was smoothed and graded to improve stability and drainage, then hydroseeded.
Find more information about the debris removal project online at
http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/2568/Debris-removal.