SUPERVISOR HORVATH URGES SUBMISSION OF RIGHT OF ENTRY FORMS BY FINAL DEADLINE ON APRIL 15
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath held a press conference in Malibu alongside the Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Public Works to deliver a final call to action urging property owners impacted by the Palisades Fire to submit their Right of Entry (ROE) or Opt-Out forms before the April 15 deadline.
The press conference highlighted the County’s leadership on ongoing recovery efforts–the fastest post-disaster cleanup in United States history. To date, more than 10,000 property owners have opted into the County-led debris removal program, while 1,363 have officially opted out. However, over 500 properties remain unresponsive.
“This is one of the most significant and efficient recovery efforts LA County has ever led – and we’re moving with the urgency this crisis deserves. Submitting your Right of Entry form helps protect public health, clear debris, and start the process to rebuild your lives. If you haven’t sent it in yet, don’t wait. Get your ROE in and help your community recover” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
The Supervisor was joined by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brig. General Bill Hannan and Col. Brian D. Sawser, who leads the Pacific Palisades Emergency Field Office. Col. Sawser emphasized the logistical urgency of knowing which properties will be cleared by the Corps:
“In working to remove debris from the Palisades Fire communities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is rapidly increasing the number of crews to reduce the time needed to complete its mission. Fewer constraints and fewer unknowns greatly assist the Corps in moving faster. The greatest unknown right now is whether the remaining 380 undeclared properties in the Palisades Fire impact area will OPT IN or OPT OUT of the Corps’ Private Property Debris Removal program,” said Col. Brian D. Sawser, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Palisades Emergency Field Office.
He continued: “There are hundreds of trucks moving in and out of the impact area daily, sharing limited space on residential roads with utility repair, debris removal, and road work. Synchronizing these hundreds, and soon thousands, of daily movements requires clarity on how each property will be cleared of debris. I encourage all remaining residents impacted by the fire to make their declaration before the April 15th deadline.”
ABOUT THE RIGHT OF ENTRY PROGRAM
The Right of Entry (ROE) form grants permission for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to access and clear fire debris from private properties at no direct cost to the owner. Property owners who choose not to participate must submit an Opt-Out form and complete debris removal privately, in compliance with state and local requirements.
Failure to take action by the April 15 deadline may result in enforcement action, including abatement proceedings. Forms and additional information are available at recovery.lacounty.gov.
