New USGS-Funded Science Will Support Landslide Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness Nationwide

RESTON, Va. - The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $1 million in federal grants to 16 states, local, and Tribal governments to support landslide risk reduction and enhance public safety nationwide. These grants, originally authorized under the National Landslide Preparedness Act, now mark a significant step in advancing the nation's ability to identify at-risk areas and protect communities from landslides.

"People rarely think about landslides until they are threatened by one," said Stephen Slaughter, USGS landslide geologist. "That is why it is so important to support local governments' efforts to map these hazards, educate the public, and reduce the risk to their communities."

These annual landslide grants fund research efforts that enhance the scientific understanding of landslide risks, map and assess their locations, and inform mitigation strategies used to protect against them. This year's recipients will undertake projects ranging from building countywide landslide inventories to developing new strategies for responding to landslide events. Notable projects include:

• Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska - The Alaska Tribal groups will convene the Southeast Alaska Landslide Information and Preparedness Partnership, where they will develop a strategic landslide risk reduction plan, provide community support, and distribute information about landslide issues affecting the region.
• Pennsylvania Geological Survey - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will spend the next two years developing a high-resolution landslide inventory and susceptibility map for Washington County. This project will support safer land-use planning, emergency management, and public understanding of geologic hazards, particularly along the high-risk I-79 corridor.
• Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology - For Nevada, the Bureau of Mines and Geology will compile the first statewide landslide inventory, which will be supplemented by standardized watershed assessments for potential post-wildfire debris flow hazards. Funds will also be used to establish new protocols that unify public, state and federal landslide rapid-response guidance.
• North Dakota Geological Survey - North Dakota Geological Survey will launch its next phase in landslide inventory mapping, producing new, detailed maps using significantly higher-precision techniques than earlier phases. This enhanced mapping effort will provide public, government and industry stakeholders with more accurate information to guide infrastructure planning in areas increasingly affected by landslides.

The USGS received over two dozen applications for fiscal year 2026 funding, demonstrating the value of federal support in mitigating landslide risks. This year's awards build on the success of the previous grants awarded in 2024 and 2025.

For a full list of funded projects and additional details, visit the USGS Landslide Hazards Program Grants website: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/science/external-grants-overview.