Title
Chief Administrative Officer recommending ratification of the Chairman's signature on letters sent to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services requesting State assistance through a state-managed debris cleanup program.
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BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
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Other |
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Total Funding Available |
$ |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$ |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: Unknown at this time. Preliminary cost estimates for cleanup based on historical wildfire data and the unique environmental concerns for the Tahoe area are estimated at $7 million. If successful in implementing this program, the State will seek reimbursement for all the clean-up costs from insurance carriers that are liable for the clean-up.
Background:
The Angora Fire began on Sunday, June 23 east of Fallen Leaf Lake. The County proclaimed a local emergency on Sunday June 23, which was ratified by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 26. As of Thursday, June 28, 229 residences and 75 commercial structures have been destroyed. As a result of the Angora fire, serious health and safety hazards currently exist from fire debris, including unstable chimneys, walls of fire damaged structures, and harmful chemicals that are likely to remain on affected parcels.
Reason for Recommendation:
Representatives of state and local agencies have formed a Multiagency Coordinating (MAC) team with the goal of developing a plan to remove structural debris and ash from residences that were either completely or partially destroyed by the Angora Fire. The MAC team has identified the use of a state-managed debris cleanup in collaboration with the County to be the most desirable and efficient manner to proceed in the recovery phase. State staff members who have experience with similar management plans understand the environmental conditions related to fire debris cleanup and have proven resources needed to readily implement this plan. County staff understands the unique physical and regulatory environment of the Lake Tahoe basin and will work closely with the MAC team members to address the immediate and long range needs of the impacted citizens and environment.
The MAC proposes that the State provide up-front money for a State-managed clean up of the structural debris from red-tagged residences. The clean up could be done quickly (with a goal of completion by September 1) and would yield clean lots, ready for rebuilding, and all the burn ash properly disposed with the steel and concrete recycled. The contract would be managed by Cal/EPA.
The plan is predicated on receiving quick funding from the State. Through the letter that Supervisor Baumann signed on June 29, the County asks the Governor and the Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services for the up-front money, which would be re-paid by home-owners' insurance carriers. The MAC beleives that this approach offers the best possibility for very quickly cleaning up the debris, thereby minimizing its impact on the environment.
Action to b taken following Board approval: Work with State representatives to pursue funding and implement debris clean-up.
Contact: Laura Gill - Ext. 5530, Gerri Silva - Ext. 6653
Concurrences: