By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
FEMA extended the deadline to opt in or out of the government-run fire debris removal program to April 15, and expanded its eligibility to include condominiums and townhomes, officials announced on Friday, March 28.
“FEMA has responded to our request—condos [and] townhomes … are now eligible for federally funded debris removal,” Supervisor Lindsey Horvath wrote. “The deadline to submit your right of entry form has also been extended to April 15.”
Residents have two options for Phase 2: opting in to the government-run debris removal program, which is being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Colonel Eric Swenson, at no out-of-pocket charge, or opting out and hiring a private contractor.
Speaking with the Palisadian-Post Monday morning, March 31, Constance Farrell, communications director for Horvath’s office, explained that mobile home parks fit FEMA’s criteria for “case by case” basis, but she is “extremely confident” they are going to be included.
Farrell reported that Horvath’s office has been in touch with the owners/managers of Tahitian Terrace and Palisades Bowl, as well as Councilmember Traci Park and the state, to advocate for their inclusion in the government-run debris removal process.
Phase 2 involves removing visible fire debris, such as chimneys, hazardous trees, ash and—if specified on a right-of-entry form by the owner—foundations.
The form can be completed online at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal or in-person at a Disaster Recovery Center, with the Westside location at 10850 West Pico Boulevard. There is also a Hazardous Tree Waiver that property owners can fill out to “retain specific trees on their property.”
At press time on Tuesday evening, April 8, 685 properties in the Palisades fire burn area had received final sign off from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CA Wildfire Debris Mission. According to the map, 3,398 right of entries had been accepted by the county, with 3,398 in progress with contractor.
The announcement to extend the deadline and expand eligibility came one day after the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services urged FEMA on March 27 to expand the debris removal program.
“Regarding residential commercial properties, I have determined residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home will be treated in the same manner as approved residential properties for the entire structure,” FEMA Regional Administrator Robert Fenton wrote in a letter dated March 28. “This will include most condominium and other multi-family buildings, even where there may be a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building. This approval does not include multi-family rental properties entirely owned by for-profit entities, such as apartment buildings, which will continue to be treated as commercial properties.
“Commercial properties, including multi-family rental properties entirely owned by for-profit entities, will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any requests to include commercial properties in Private Property Debris Removal operations must include a justification based on the following factors: An immediate threat to public health and safety due to debris; Barriers to the commercial entity completing debris removal independently; Insurance coverage and status of claim; Economic impact of debris removal on the commercial entity and community.”
When it comes to multi-family properties, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex needs to submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association.
“This allows the county, state and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility,” the statement concluded.
Farrell confirmed that each tenant of the mobile home parks should fill out the ROE, as officials are working on “packaging” them for FEMA to review.
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