HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter From Eric Lamoureux - FEMA Identified Areas of Concern RE Butte County and Paradise’s Ordinances and Proposed Amendment DR-4407-CA
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Joint Field Office
FEMA-4407-DR-CA
10000 Goethe Road
Sacramento, CA 95827
Mr. Eric Lamoureux,
Acting Deputy Director
Response & Recovery Directorate
Dear Mr. Lamoureux
FEMA has identified several areas of concern related to Butte County and
passed ordinances and proposed amendment.
First, placing any recreational vehicles (RVs) on parcels that have been not been cleared
of fire related debris is a health and safety concern,
Ordinance 4152:
There exists the potential for widespread toxic exposures and threats to
public health and the environment in the aftermath of a major wildfire
disaster, and debris and ash from residential structure fires contains
hazardous materials and the harmful health effects of hazardous materials
produced by a wildfire are well-documented.
On November 11, 2018, the Butte County Health Officer, Dr. Andy Miller, issued a Hazard
Advisory Warning Against Habitation of Destroyed Property that warned persons about the
health hazards associated with fire debris until a property has been cleared of the hazardous
materials.
Butte County and Paradise allowing its residents to re-occupy their property prior to fire debris
and hazardous materials being removed from the property
Second, FEMA will not place any FEMA RVs/THUs (temporary housing units) for disaster
survivor temporary housing via the Direct Housing Program on private property/site until the fire
debris and hazardous materials is removed from the private property/site and the County has
certified that the parcel is safe to re-occupy. Individual Housing Program Unified Guidance
(IHPUG), page 77. County actions towards these certifications may include soil sampling, as
approved under the Private Property Debris Removal Program (PPDR). Air sampling has been
done on past disasters and may be considered, if necessary.
Third, Butte County and Paradise allowing residents to place temporary housing
units/RVs/similar housing structures may impact the justification for PPDR related activities and
federal reimbursement of PPDR costs as the FEMA approved justification for the reimbursement
of PPDR costs is
n Butte County and the Town of Paradise. 44 CFR
§206.224(a)(1) (emphasis added). In the approval of PPDR, FEMA agreed that some of the
debris posed immediate threats to human health and safety and therefore approved federal
assistance for removal of certain types of debris within Butte County and Paradiseto preserve
life, public health and safety. See Federal Coordinating Office PPDR Approval letter dated
December 6, 2018.
We would encourage you to work closely with Butte County and Paradise to remedy the issues
identified above in the interest of the survivors while maintaining the viability and integrity of
the PPDR program.
Sincerely,
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David G. Samaniego
Federal Coordinating Officer
DR-4407-CA
www.fema.gov