Enlisting the support of land-use planners to reduce debris-flow hazards in the United States

Land-use planners have an important role in reducing losses from debris-flow hazards. For that reason, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the American Planning Association (APA) have developed a strategy to make information about landslide and debris-flow hazards available to local planners so that they can incorporate this information into the planning process. A guidebook for planners and active training and technical support are the centerpieces of this strategy. The strategy that the USGS is using, which enlists the support of a professional society such as the APA to develop the guidebook and communicate with its members, may be a useful example for other countries to follow. ?? 2003 Millpress.