Best-case scenario is 6 months for both phases, but officials warn that it could be up to 24 months for some areas.
County officials explained over the last several days that it could be nearly two years before burned-out sites in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other areas impacted by the recent fires are ready to be rebuilt.
The sobering timeline was relayed primarily by County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, along with several other county, state and federal officials at several Palisades Fire rebuild meetings in recent days.
Construction on new residences or accessory structures can’t begin until all toxic materials are removed, officials say. And the toxins must be identified and then removed by trained government workers or certified private haulers.
Here is the timeline suggested by officials in recent days:
- PHASE 1 – EPA assessment of each property and removal of toxic materials. An EPA spokeswoman at a Town Hall in the Palisades on Sunday said it will take “months” to complete phase 1 on the 15,000+ structures that were destroyed. A Public Works spokesman estimated 3-6 months. The EPA is beginning phase 1 this week.
- PHASE 2 – With written permission from property owners, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will remove fire debris and leave a clean pad for the rebuild. Phase 1 must be complete on the property for Phase 2 to commence. Officials said the USACE will do several adjacent properties or an entire block in batches to expedite the process. Estrella estimated phase 2 will take “up to 18 months” depending on where the property falls in the queue. He said it will not be first-come, first-served basis; instead, they’ll clean entire streets and/or blocks at the same time.
Both phases of the clean up are free to property owners. Those who want to opt out of the phase 2 clean up can hire a certified contractor instead, but the EPA will still need to complete phase 1 on their property and the contractor must be approved by local officials before the removal can commence.
A private contractor can be very expensive, according to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), who quoted $170,000 per jobsite during one of the weekend meetings.
Officials suggested that property owners should use this clean up timeline to have construction plans prepared, filed and Ready To Issue (RTI) so construction can commence as soon as phase 2 is complete.
County Public Works has created a website specific to the toxic debris removal program and timeline here.
The Pacific Palisades Civic League recorded its Town Hall meeting from Friday. Video of DPW director Mark Pestrella here; his comments start at about the 1:35 mark.
