Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Altadena Debris Removal Effort Continues as Right Of Entry Deadline Approaches

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The Department of Public Works provided an update on the ongoing debris removal efforts in Altadena during a community meeting on Monday.

According to Chris Shepherd, an engineer with the department, 8,854 Right of Entry (ROE) submissions have been collected to date. Of those, 5,177 have been processed and sent to the Army Corps of Engineers for debris removal operations.

For the Altadena area specifically, Shepherd reported 5,087 ROE submissions, with 3,080 of them already transmitted to the Army Corps for cleanup. The department is processing hundreds of ROEs daily and transmitting over 200 each day, ensuring that the cleanup continues at a steady pace.

“We continue to put a lot of resources into this effort,” Shepherd said. “We’re reviewing hundreds of ROEs per day and we’re transmitting ROEs at a rate of over 200 ROEs per day over to the Army Corps for cleanup and continue to work through that.”

The Army Corps of Engineers has significantly expanded its debris removal efforts in the Eaton footprint, with 80 crews now working to clear affected properties, a major increase from the 34 crews operating just two weeks ago.

According to Col. Sonny B. Avichal, the expansion is part of a larger push to accelerate cleanup efforts.

“As of [Monday] morning, we’ve cleared debris from 212 properties, and the rights of entry (ROEs) have been returned to the County,” Avichal said. “This is a strong indicator of progress, and we expect these numbers to grow as we continue to ramp up operations.”

The Corps’ cleanup efforts are focused on key priority areas to minimize contamination risks. Avichal outlined three categories of properties that are being prioritized, including ecologically sensitive areas, communal areas and inhabited residents.

Debris removal operations can only proceed once the necessary rights of entry are obtained from property owners. Avichal urged residents to submit their ROEs to help ensure timely cleanup in their communities.

“We are fully committed to performing this work as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Avichal said. “We can’t do anything unless we have the right of entry, so please get those submitted so we can continue the work in your area.”

New features on the ROE dashboard allow residents to upload additional documentation or address any issues directly. If an ROE status shows “additional information needed,” users can now click a link to submit required documents. For more assistance, residents can call the debris hotline and speak to a case manager to ensure their ROE is complete.

As the March 31 deadline approaches, Shepherd reminded residents to submit their ROEs or opt-out forms, regardless of whether they plan to participate in the debris removal program. The department is urging residents to act quickly to help facilitate the ongoing recovery efforts.

The deadline for ROE submissions is March 31.