The Los Angeles Post

GOVERNOR NEWSOM GRANTS LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S REQUEST FOR FLOOD CONTROL SUPPORT

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LOS ANGELES, CA January 20, 2025 – Following requests from Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and Board Chair Kathryn Barger, Governor Gavin Newsom announced an Executive Order today granting Los Angeles County the necessary tools to prepare the region for potential landslides, mudslides, and flooding, following devastating wildfires.

“We are immensely grateful for Governor Newsom’s continued leadership and support as we recover from these unprecedented natural disasters,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “Today’s executive order allows us to quickly combat the threat of flood and debris flow and do all that is necessary to protect life, property, and our natural environment. We stand ready to repair our critical infrastructure so our communities can rebuild their homes and businesses as quickly as possible, and have the support and resources necessary to fully recover.”

Through the Executive Order, Governor Newsom waived certain environmental rules and and procedures, cleaning the way for faster debris removal and hillside reinforcement ahead of forecasted wet weather. Supervisor Horvath and Chair Barger sent a letter to the Governor requesting the authority to provide flood control protection for the entire region, including the cities of Los Angeles and Malibu through the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District). Governor Newsom responded swiftly, issuing today’s Executive Order clearing the way for Los Angeles County to accelerate extraordinary flood control measures to protect life, property, and the natural environment. 

“Even now that the fires are out, looming threats of mud and debris flows are a significant threat to the safety of our communities,” said Board Chair Kathryn Barger. “It’s imperative that this preventative work begin immediately, in addition to the ongoing management of our dams and reservoirs to ensure flood protection.”

The District will work on behalf of impacted cities and unincorporated communities to:

  1. Implement temporary debris flow mitigation measures on streets and flood control infrastructure.
  2. Remove debris and pollution and mitigating toxic runoff from burned areas to protect local waterways, beaches, coastal waters, and groundwater basins that serve as drinking water sources.
  3. Conduct sediment removal and additional debris flow mitigation measures in cities and unincorporated County areas impacted by the fires until the threat to public health and safety has abated.
“Managing post-wildfire debris removal is critical not only for rebuilding communities but also for mitigating flooding and protecting waterways, drinking water sources and the public from polluted runoff exacerbated by the fires,” said Mark Pestrella, P.E., director of Los Angeles County Public Works, the department responsible for overseeing the work. “With anticipated rains, Los Angeles County deeply appreciates the support of its federal and state partners and is committed to leading efforts to safeguard life, property, and the natural environment across impacted areas.”

Phase 1 of the recovery process is underway with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leading the removal of household hazardous waste. In Phase 2, the Federal government will lead the debris removal process, at Governor Newsom’s request. The work this Executive Order streamlines and accelerates will support the safe flow of debris through the County’s flood control infrastructure to prevent a second disaster in the form of landslides, mudslides, and flash flooding. 

Los Angeles County thanks Governor Newsom for all of his Executive Orders, which are essential to a robust and successful recovery.