Deferred to Phase 2? Why the EPA can’t clear some burned properties right away

The Environmental Protection Agency is roughly 80% done with its Phase 1 cleanup during which the agency removes household hazardous materials burned in January’s wildfires. Phase 2, which involves the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or a private contractor if residents so choose, removing debris from properties where Phase 1 removal has been completed, is also well underway.

But for some properties, where there are risks deemed too dangerous for EPA employees, the properties are deferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Over 8,000 properties have been cleared by the EPA, while about 3,400 properties have been deferred directly to the Corps of Engineers.

“EPA defers to Phase 2 those properties where there are unsafe conditions for our workers and those conditions stop them from completing the Phase 1 household hazardous material removal,” Bill Dunbar, an EPA public information officer explained.

Properties with wall damage, collapsed ceilings or upper floors, unstable structures on the property or heavy metal or tree debris may be among those deferred to the Corps.

When they get to a property, the Corps then “conduct(s) ‘make safer’ operations,” which are then followed by Phase 1 and Phase 2 cleanup, according to the U.S. Army’s website.

“In this case (deferment), household hazardous waste removal activities will be included during Phase 2 removal. If you opt-in to the Consolidated Debris Removal Program (also referred to as the Government-Sponsored Program), household waste removal will be included during Phase 2 debris removal,” L.A. County Recovers stated on their website.

Information about the EPA’s cleanup process, including information about properties deferred to Phase 2, on the EPA’s storymaps.