International Symposium on Mitigative Measures against Snow ...

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Symposium</strong> on Mitigative Measures against Snow Avalanches
Egilsstaðir, Iceland, March 11–14, 2008
5. PROTECTION MEASURES
Shortly after the accidents in 1995, preparations for protection measures for the settlement below
Drangagil in Neskaupstaður were started. The proposed catching dam and braking
mounds were the first of their kind in Iceland and there was considerable debate in the community
regarding their environmental impact. In 1998, the Neskaupstaður municipal government
initiated a survey among the inhabitants regarding the construction of a catching dam
below the Drangagil gully following a public introduction of the prospective avalanche
defences. The survey showed that 55% of those who had familiarised themselves with the
proposals were in favour of the defences but 35% were against. However, the survey also
revealed that more than half of the respondents were not familiar with the defence proposals
which was surprising in view of the fact that less than 3 years had elapsed since the
catastrophic avalanches in Western Iceland and despite the thorough introductions in Neskaupstaður.
One wonders whether the introductions were unsuccessful. A flyer was distributed
to every household in Neskaupstaður, a public meeting with avalanche experts, engineer
and landscape architects was held as well as an open house for two days at the community
centre, where the specialists were present to explain and elaborate on the proposals.
The catching dam, braking mounds
and supporting structures in the starting
zone were constructed and formally
inducted in 2002. Prior to the
construction and during the planning
stage there was some opposition to the
plans. Articles appeared in the local
paper but these did not affect the
process and after the defences were
erected there have been no voices of
dissent and not even the people who
wrote the articles objecting to the
defences will now admit to any
opposition! The defences fit admirably
into the environment and the area
is very popular both for recreational
activities by the local population as
well as an attraction to visitors.
The 17 m high catching dam and two rows of 10 m high
braking mounds above the settlement in Neskaupstaður.
6. RELOCATION VERSUS PROTECTION MEASURES
It was decided, due to excessive cost of protection measures, that the municipality would buy 5
houses in the western part of the town that were outside the main residential area instead of constructing
defences in that area. There were some difficulties, mostly concerning the right prices
for the houses, although the owners were unanimous that the houses should be bought. It should
be noted that at the time a real estate market in Neskaupstaður was virtually non-existent, hardly
any new houses were being built and real estate prices were very low. None of the previously
mentioned houses would have been sold on the open market but it is a fact that real estate
owners will demand unrealistic prices when dealing with public officials. However, the matter
was resolved satisfactorily and the houses were bought. Four of the five families bought houses
in other parts of Neskaupstaður and one moved away. As proprietor of the 5 houses, the
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