We hope that many of you were able to attend or live-stream the Debris Removal Town Hall yesterday afternoon. For those who couldn't attend or who would like a refresher, here is a link to the YouTube recording:
The meeting featured an extensive Q&A session, from which Supervisor Horvath indicated an FAQ would be prepared for the community's convenience. We will link to the FAQ when it becomes available.
In brief, we learned from officials at the Town Hall about the two phases of debris removal:
Phase One: This is the environmental stage, in which EPA will remove all toxic/hazardous substances from each property, such as lithium batteries, oil & gas, paint, asbestos, flammable materials, cleaning solvents and the like. The work will begin this week and will likely last between 2-3 months (no firm timeline). Only hazardous materials will be removed. Residents may visit their property during this time if they are cleared to repopulate, but the EPA will not work on the site when visitors are present. For your safety, residents are strongly urged to use appropriate PPE when visiting their property as the area is extremely toxic.
Phase Two: This phase will begin on a rolling basis when the work on each site in Phase One is completed. During this phase, debris removal will take place "within the ash footprint" of each site in order to prepare for eventual rebuilding. You will have the option of using the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to remove debris on your property (free of charge to you) OR using a licensed, private debris removal contractor at your expense (or through your insurer). Private contractors must adhere to the same standards as the Corps and you will need a permit to do your own removal.
You will be required to fill out a Right of Entry (ROE) form to indicate whether you are opting-in to using the Corps for debris removal (the form will likely have to be printed out as a wet signature is required). Registration for the ROE will begintomorrow, Tuesday (January 28) on the County recovery website -- County Recovery.
The official ROE form and instructions will be made available on the website starting tomorrow. For a preview -- here is a template that is already online: ROE Template. However, we caution that everyone should visit the County website to make certain that you are using the correct/official form as of 1/28/25.
During debris removal, the Corps (if you chose to use them) will notify you if any valuables are found, and trees may be assessed by arborists to determine their condition (hazardous trees will be removed; we understand that trees that are unharmed or burned but determined to be likely to survive will not be removed). We were told that six inches of topsoil will also be removed (no more). You may be present during debris removal.
There is no timeline yet for when all the Phase Two work will be completed. As debris removal is complete at each site, property owners can begin rebuilding. You may submit building applications/plans for City approval in an expedited process at any time during the debris removal, and can begin rebuilding once the removal is complete and your application is approved. Mayor Bass advises that LADBS will open a site for processing rebuilding applications in the Palisades in the near future (possibly at the Rec. Center). Stay tuned for more details.
Residents whose homes are still standing may return to live in them at any time if they wish (once cleared to repopulate), keeping in mind any hazardous conditions on adjacent properties, the fact that currently the air and water are unsafe, and that at present there is no power or gas service in the area.
Additional reporting: Here is a news article (from the LAT reporting) that presents a good summary of the meeting for those interested, and should be accessible by all -- Debris Town Hall Report.
As more details are released about upcoming processes, we will attempt to make them available to the community.
Upcoming Insurance Town Hall
CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will hold a virtual town hall on insurance services available in connection with the wildfires on Thursday, January 30 from 5-6pm. Click on the graphic above to see the URL to register.
Recovery Center - Menu of Services
The Mayor's West Area Represesntative of Community Engagement, Marian Ensley, has forwarded this detailed menu of the many services offered at the West LA Disaster Recovery Center:
