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EPA Updates Public on Assistance Following Wildfires01-29-25 | Legislation

EPA Updates Public on Assistance Following Wildfires

Trump Administration Released Executive Order
by Rebecca Radtke, LASN

President Trump signed an executive order Sunday that is designed to help those affected by the fires.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been assisting local government in Los Angeles amid the fire emergency. However, on January 24, President Trump issued an Executive Order - Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas.

The order overrides California policies and requires that the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture report to the President within 15 days of firefighting. Further, it requires that the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Commerce take action to override existing action. The order requires the identification of all potential water supply and storage projects, as well as requiring that each designated official must identify any regulatory hurdles that unduly burden each respective water project. President Trump also ordered that the California Central Valley deliver more water and eliminate rules including endangered species protections stating that the extra water will help prevent and fight these fires and others in the future.

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The order gives additional action to assist North Carolina hurricane victims rebuilding through FEMA, works to house the displaced, improve fire preparedness, and expedite waste removal within five days of the order. According to the Santa Monica Mirror, beginning on January 28, property owners affected by the Pacific Palisades fire may begin Phase 2 of the public debris removal program.

Debris Clean Up in L.A.
The program details the right-of-entry forms and the progression of waste removal phases. The forms will allow teams to access properties for safe debris clearance. The first phase was handled by the EPA and focused on the assessment and removal of hazardous waste like pesticides. Phase 2 will include the removal of structural debris, foundations, hazardous trees, and contaminated soil. Further, contractors must meet certification for hazardous material handling if the homeowner chooses to not go through the public cleanup process conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

According to the EPA, the agency was granted access to properties by the State to remove materials in Phase 1. In the second phase, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will be working with EPA as part of this process. A major focus of the removal efforts is the safe removal and disposal of lithium-ion and high-voltage batteries, including the de-energizing and decommissioning process for recycling and disposal.

LASN will continue to monitor this story as it develops.

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