Previously DOT/DNR was confident (according to Meagan McFadden)gravel pit located in the middle of the slide had nothing to do with it, now a bit of back peddling:
“At least one scientist says it's entirely possible the gravel pit could have played a role. "It's definitely premature to rule out the gravel pit as a contributing factor," said University of Washington geologist David Montgomery, a noted landslide expert. "They were definitely digging at the toe of an active landslide, and that's a recipe for a slide," added Montgomery, who examined Google maps of the site.” Source Seattle Times.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010074658_landslide16m.html
Short list of photos I collected from DNR, Google Maps, and Google Earth: http://picasaweb.google.com/jhaggard1/NachesNilesLandslideOct112009#
DNR slideshow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wastatednr/sets/72157622570021278/show/
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