Rock Slide Declared Disaster Kootenai County Can Pursue Federal Assistance

A rock slide that closed Cape Horn Road near Bayview in Kootenai County and isolated about 75 homes has prompted Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to sign a disaster declaration.

“Engineers assessing the situation indicate the area remains unstable,” Kempthorne said Thursday. “This declaration will allow the state to help Kootenai County officials pursue potential federal assistance and access state resources.”

The declaration is effective for 30 days, but can be renewed to meet recovery needs.

Crews reopened the road Wednesday, but people driving on it were asked to sign waivers that they would not hold the local highway district liable if another slide occurred.

The Lakes Highway District on Thursday began removing cracking rocks above the road. That work will continue for at least another 20 days.

Ferrying of residents by boat from Raven Point Marina to Bayview’s public docks ended Thursday.

Highway district officials called in geologists from the University of Idaho and structural engineers from local engineering firms to make sure the bridge where the rocks landed is safe.

The rock removal project will cost at least $750,000.

Kempthorne’s proclamation states that “there is extreme peril to public safety and property which is likely to be beyond the control of the services of Kootenai County.”