PACIFIC PALISADES—On January 28 the families who were evacuated from their homes and neighborhoods since early January, were granted permission to return. The Pacific Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes Fires consumed thousands of acres of land, historical homes, and estates.
The California State Park website reported that historical landmarks at Will Rogers State Park and Topanga State Park including the Will Rogers historic ranch house, the Topanga Ranch, all concessions, the residences of state park employees, and other structural losses.
On January 25, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took an aerial tour of the devastation by helicopter. They then attended a roundtable with California leadership including Mayor Bass, some regional and congressional representatives.
Trump made the following remarks at the roundtable:
…“I don’t realize how devastating it is until you see it…. Even some of the chimneys came down. I would like to declare a state of emergency. The Federal Government and I are [behind you] one hundred percent. The First Lady and I are in California to express a great love for the people of California, giving condolences for the 28 lives lost.”
Trump announced his plan to waive all federal permits so that the work crews could get to work as soon as that night promising to override the time-consuming requirements by the Coastal Commission.
“We are going to open up the valves in the Pacific Northwest and allow the water to flow down,” reminding those present that he made the suggestion seven years ago. Now, he’s decided to “just do it.”
Mayor Bass welcomed the President and agreed to sign off on expediting the rebuilding process, stating, she would be, “cutting through the red tape,” and “We absolutely need your help.”
President Trump clarified with Mayor Bass that the people must not have to wait 18 months to rebuild, to which she agreed. The Mayor brought up the possibility of toxic waste. Trump insisted that the people be permitted to begin their work as soon as tonight, to which, Mayor Bass agreed.
The full text of the emergency measures taken to provide permanent water resources in California including improving disaster response in some areas with consequences for non-compliance may be found in the press release on the White House webpage. Section (3) is as follows:
“Ending subsidization of California’s Management (a), The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall review all federal programs, projects, and activities for all relevant agencies that impact land management, water availability, water supply, water storage and delivery, water infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, and response.
(b) Expediting Waste Removal. Within five days from the date of this order, to accelerate the rebuilding of areas devastated by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall develop and execute a plan to expedite the bulk removal of contaminated and general debris.”
