Board authorizes emergency debris‑flow mitigation and debris‑removal coordination with cities and state

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an urgency motion on Jan. 21 to delegate authority to the County Director of Public Works to enter memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with cities, districts and state and federal partners to expedite flood-control, debris-flow mitigation and debris removal following recent wildfires.

Why the board acted: Supervisors and department heads warned that rain in the coming days and weeks could mobilize contaminated fire debris and sediment down into populated areas, posing public-health, water-quality and life-safety risks. The urgency motion was presented as part of a suite of emergency actions to protect life and property.

Motion details and authorities

- The board found an immediate need to act under Government Code section 54954.2(b)(2) and determined that the need arose after the posting of the meeting agenda. The board approved the urgency finding and then voted to delegate authority to the Director of Public Works to enter MOUs to deploy temporary debris‑flow mitigation measures, remove debris from flood-control infrastructure and to coordinate Phase 1 hazardous debris removal led by EPA on private property.

- The board thanked Governor Newsom for issuing Executive Order N-13-25, which provides temporary emergency powers and waivers to expedite cleanup and debris-flow efforts.

Operational intent

Public Works staff said the delegated arrangements will allow the county to coordinate and scale work on flood-control infrastructure, debris basins and property-level protections, and to implement best-management practices to reduce mobilization of toxic materials during rain events. The motion was described as a short-term, operational authority intended to speed agreements and protective measures ahead of the winter rainy season.

Board action

The board approved the urgency motion and delegation unanimously (5-0). The motion directs Public Works to coordinate widely with Cal OES, EPA, cities including Los Angeles, Malibu and Pasadena, and municipal public works departments to prioritize protection of communities most at risk from debris flows and contaminated runoff.

Ending note

Supervisors said the motion enables a faster operational response by removing barriers to interagency agreements and permitting for emergency interventions, while acknowledging that the cleanup will proceed in phases coordinated with federal hazardous-debris programs.