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 But Young continues to clear his fields of debris, such as home
siding and insulation, that is a bitter reminder of the tragedy last
March 22, when a rain-soaked hillside collapsed near Oso, about 60
miles (97 kms) northeast of Seattle, killing 43 people.
"We should get growth this spring so we don't have to see this scar
we've been looking at," Young, 55, said as he recalled watching the
approaching torrent. "You don't want to keep re-living the damn
thing, you know?"
Even as the land recovers, many of those affected by the mudslide
say their nerves continue to be jangled by unresolved lawsuits,
pending legislation, difficulties accessing relief funds and a
parade of disaster site gawkers and profiteers.
Amid an anniversary weekend of prayers, commemorations and a solemn
moment of silence, families of victims and survivors say it is hard
to reconcile themselves to their losses.
"There is healing that still needs to happen," Oso Fire Chief Willy
Harper said. "There are a lot of emotions right now, sometimes they
are right there on your face, and sometimes they are just below the
surface."
 The Washington state legislature is considering a transport package
that includes funds of $36 million over 12 years for laser mapping
of landslide-prone areas.
Bills would require the state to build a public database of
laser-mapped areas and hazards, and tweak state law to let
firefighters respond to all kinds of catastrophes, including
landslides.
A December 2014 report found the Washington State Patrol was unable
to send in firefighters following the slide after a state lawyer
said dispatching them would violate state law.
OFFENSES, MONEY
At the epicenter of the disaster, a street sign marking the road
that led to a subdivision where a cluster of homes was obliterated
now offers a lookout point for motorists to take photos of the
hillside gash.
Forty-three small cedar trees, memorials to the dead, many decorated
with multi-colored ribbons, heart-shaped wreaths and name tags, have
been planted on the side of the re-built highway.
Several families still live in houses perched around the mile-wide
debris area.
Some complain visitors have let their dogs defecate on their
property. Others felt it was insensitive when a company briefly put
up a "for sale" sign on the property of a bankrupt owner. Others
were angered over river raft tours a company offered site visitors
for $90. Those have now been suspended.
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Victims' families have complained in wrongful death suits that the
state, county and hill landowner were aware of the disaster risk but
made no efforts to divert the river or relocate homes.
They also say logging added to the hill's instability. The
landowner, Grandy Lake Forest Associates, has denied wrongdoing, and
sought to dismiss the case, still in preliminary stages.
Major relief group American Red Cross, and charities United Way of
Snohomish County, and Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation have handed
out, or committed to disburse, roughly $8 million from donations of
more than $9.4 million for aid such as housing stipends, grief
counseling, food and clothing.
Some families say they have faced delays when seeking help from
relief agencies.
For example, the parents of Summer Raffo, who was swept away while
driving, had their electricity shut off when a six-month needs-based
financial plan arranged with relief funds by a county case worker
was changed by a new case manager.
Representatives for Snohomish County and the Salvation Army did not
immediately respond to requests for comment.
"The frustration is not just with my family, it's every family,"
said Summer's brother, Dayn Brunner, 43. "The amount of money they
have raised, versus what has gone directly to the families, is two
different stories."
(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Oso, Wash.; Editing by Ken Wills
and David Gregorio)
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