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EPA, Army Corps and county describe phased debris removal, household hazardous waste abatement and lithium‑battery handling
Summary
Speakers outlined a phased debris program with EPA leading phase 1 (household hazardous waste) and the U.S. Army Corps assigned to phase 2 (ash and debris). Officials said lithium‑ion batteries from electric vehicles and backup systems are being handled under EPA protocols and sent to authorized recyclers.
Officials at a California Assembly joint hearing described a phased debris‑removal program for the Los Angeles wildfires that separates household hazardous waste and more extensive ash and debris removal and noted specific protocols for lithium‑ion battery handling.
"The Debris Task Force is responsible for the safe and efficient removal of hazardous materials and debris resulting from the wildfires ensuring public safety and facilitating rebuilding efforts," Bob Troy of Cal OES said. He noted that the EPA was the lead for phase 1 and the Army Corps was mission‑assigned for phase 2 in the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Nut graf: Testimony identified two distinct operational phases — an EPA‑led phase 1 focused on household hazardous waste and safety, and an Army Corps‑led phase 2 for ash and debris removal — and multiple oversight layers including county public health and South Coast Air Quality Management District for air monitoring.
County emergency management director Kevin McGowan said, "As of today, we have 10 properties that have fully completed all phases of debris removal. That's both phase 1, which is the household hazardous waste, and phase 2, which is the fire, ash, and debris." He added that more than 9,400 rights‑of‑entry forms had been submitted and that EPA’s portion of phase 1 had been completed for the assigned areas, with the Army Corps responsible for the remainder.
On battery disposal, county and state officials said EPA and the Army Corps are applying specialized protocols for lithium‑ion batteries, including those from electric vehicles and residential backup systems. "Part of the benefit of having the US EPA, running phase 1 of the household hazardous waste is their expertise in handling lithium ion batteries," McGowan said. Officials said batteries are staged and shipped to authorized recyclers or specialized disposal facilities and that federal partners brought experience from prior incidents (including Maui) to refine procedures.
Air quality monitoring and watershed mitigation were described as layered responsibilities: contractors using wet methods during removal, Army Corps monitoring, and oversight from county public health and South Coast Air Quality Management District to help protect returning residents and downstream water bodies.
Ending: Officials said debris removal is progressing but urged continued coordination and testing to protect air and water quality and to validate rights‑of‑entry before private property removal proceeds.
