REP. LIEU, SEN. PADILLA, SEN. BUTLER AND REP. SCHIFF URGE FEMA TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND MOVEMENT

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LOS ANGELES -Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) led a letter with Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify any assistance and funding that can be made available to residents impacted by land movement on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. In the letter, the Members called on Administrator Deanne Criswell to consider ways in which FEMA can help impacted communities in conjunction with other local, state and federal efforts to mitigate the dangerous ground movements and provide relief for impacted homeowners.

In the letter, the Members write:

Dear Administrator Criswell,

Thank you for your commitment to protecting all communities before, during, and after disaster strikes. We write to you regarding the urgent landslide on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and its devastating consequences for the residents of the communities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates.

The Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide complex is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in western Los Angeles County. As a result of the 2022 and 2023 winter storms, all three cities have experienced land movement at an unprecedented pace. In the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the amount of land movement that the city was previously experiencing over the course of an entire year is now occurring on a weekly basis.

With this accelerated movement, utility infrastructure has been significantly impacted, and many residents are now without access to basic utilities. The de-energization of the region also poses a significant threat to critical public infrastructure such as sewage service and the dewatering wells that are needed to mitigate the landslide.

Your leadership has been key in addressing this land movement. Through FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will be able to mitigate this crisis by eliminating excess moisture and reducing future ground movement. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has also been working closely with FEMA and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) in updating their scope of work for this project. This close partnership has allowed the City to maintain eligibility for the BRIC grant while conducting immediate work that is critical in addressing the ongoing movement.

We are thankful that federal resources are being utilized in the area. After a recent visit from Regional Administrator Bob Fenton, FEMA has requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Geological Survey to provide technical assistance to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes as they work to stabilize the land. We urge any assistance be extended to the City of Rolling Hills and City of Rolling Hills Estates, so they too can work to mitigate the land movement and restore a sense of safety for their residents.

It is our understanding that the region faces challenges in accessing both state and federal aid because the land movement has persisted over time. We ask that FEMA work to identify any assistance and funding, that can be made available, to the residents impacted by land movement on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

We know you share our deep concern about the impact that this land movement is having on the residents and businesses in these communities. Like you, several of us have visited the landslide area and witnessed firsthand the devastating impact this issue has had on the community. Following the increased land movement, we have held several meetings with experts from FEMA and our state and county representatives to better understand the impacts of this movement and what resources could be deployed in response. Additionally, we are continuing to advocate for projects submitted by the Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts through the federal appropriations process.

We urge you to consider all pathways to provide support to residents impacted by land movement on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. We will continue to work with federal, state, and local officials to support these communities and their residents to ensure that any resources that can be offered to support them are available. We ask that you continue to keep our offices apprised of your work in the region and maintain communication as we work together to support impacted residents.

Thank you again for your attention to this emergency. We look forward to your response and cooperation in tackling this challenge.

Sincerely,

FIND A PDF OF THE LETTER HERE

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