The press conference discussed the progress and support for rebuilding in Altadena post-wildfires.
The county aims to fast-track rebuilding, with grants and philanthropic funding available for modern home improvements.
The Household Relief Fund offers $18,000 grants, and small business and worker relief funds provide up to $25,000 and $2,000, respectively, with deadlines approaching.
The EPA completed phase one of hazardous material removal, with 66% of properties cleared.
The Army Corps of Engineers has cleared 10 properties and aims to remove 4.5 million tons of debris.
The county also extended shelter operations for one week.
Action Items
[ ] Apply for the Household Relief Fund grants before March 12.
[ ] Submit interest in soil testing through the Community Action Project LA website.
[ ] Opt in to the right of entry program by March 31, 2025 to have debris cleared from property.
[ ] Apply for the worker and small business grants before March 2.
Outline
Rebuilding Efforts and Community Support
Speaker 1 discusses the rebuilding efforts in Altadena, emphasizing the need for quicker turnaround times for permits and fast-tracking for residents who want to rebuild within 10% of their previous home size.
Federal and state leaders are pushing local regulatory agencies to eliminate barriers to help residents return home, and Speaker 1 is looking into grants and philanthropic funding for modern investments in new homes.
Speaker 1 addresses the issue of tree removal during the wildlife debris removal process, assuring property owners of advance notice and emphasizing the importance of preserving trees in Altadena.
The Department of Consumer Business Affairs launches the Household Relief Fund program, providing grants of up to $18,000 for qualified households affected by the fires, with a deadline of March 12.
Economic Support and Small Business Grants
Speaker 1 highlights the worker and small business grants offered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, with a deadline of March 2 for applications.
Supervisor Horvath encourages residents to apply for the household relief grants and small business relief funds before the deadlines.
The Board of Supervisors has passed eviction protections for financially impacted residents, with a $10 million fund directed towards rent relief.
Supervisor Horvath provides an update on the debris clearance process, mentioning the completion of the first properties in Malibu and Pacific Palisades.
EPA's Role in Hazardous Material Removal
Speaker 3 reports that EPA has completed the removal of household hazardous materials from the Eaton and Palisades wildfire areas, with the support of various federal and state agencies.
EPA has removed over 300 million tons of hazardous materials, including almost 700 electric vehicle batteries and 300 solar storage power battery packs.
The success of the operation is attributed to the coordination and support of multiple agencies, including FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Coast Guard.
EPA will continue to support the Army Corps of Engineers in the removal of lithium-ion batteries.
Army Corps of Engineers' Progress and Tree Removal
Speaker 4 thanks the supervisors for their support and provides a progress update on the debris removal process, mentioning the completion of the first residential properties in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu.
The Army Corps of Engineers is working to save as many trees as possible, marking hazard trees with three blue dots and a barcode at the base.
Trees are removed if they pose an immediate safety risk or are expected to die within five years, with professional judgment from certified arborists.
The public is encouraged to be patient with increased truck traffic and to use the public viewers available on the recovery.la county.gov website to track the progress of their properties.
Q&A Session and Public Inquiries
Speaker 7 asks about the completion of phase one and the extension of the shelter, with Speaker 1 confirming the extension for one week to ensure housing for remaining residents.
Speaker 5 inquires about the timeline and logistics of phase one, with Speaker 3 explaining the rapid response due to increased resources and the deferral of 33% of properties to phase two.
Speaker 6 asks about the difference between deferred and referred properties, with Speaker 4 clarifying the process and the importance of removing household hazardous materials.
Speaker 7 questions the timeline for the Army Corps of Engineers to remove debris, with Speaker 4 stating it will be less than one year, depending on resident participation.
Coordination and Emergency Preparedness
Speaker 7 asks about the coordination with the National Weather Service and the activation of the Emergency Operations Center, with Speaker 8 providing details on the process and the involvement of various agencies.
Supervisor Horvath mentions personal outreach to small business owners in Topanga and Malibu to ensure they were aware of the red flag warnings.
The county's Emergency Operations Center was activated in advance of the fire due to severe conditions predicted by the National Weather Service.
The coordination efforts included working with all 88 cities and the California Office of Emergency Services, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness.
