Contractor donates restored Oso land to Snohomish County

OSO, Wash. (AP) — The construction company that rebuilt a section of Highway 530 after the deadly 2014 mudslide in Oso is donating land to Snohomish County.

The 2014 mudslide struck about 55 miles north of Seattle when a hillside gave way in Oso, burying 43 people and blocking the state highway.

The Daily Herald of Everett reports (http://bit.ly/1MfmbXt ) that the County Council on Monday agreed to accept 36 acres from Guy F. Atkinson Construction.

As part of its work to restore the area, Atkinson bought land to re-create wetland and stream habitat impacted by the roadwork.

County officials say they will keep the land as open space. The area is off limits to the public.

Atkinson Construction plans to continue monitoring vegetation planted for the habitat over the next three years.