Assemblymember Muratsuchi Secures $5 Million in State Funding for Rancho Palos Verdes Landslide Mitigation to Prepare for El Nino Storms

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA - Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) announced today that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been awarded $5 million in state funding to support its ongoing landslide mitigation efforts at the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex and to help prepare for the upcoming El Nino winter storms.

Following years of historic rainfall, and with severe storms projected this winter, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to face substantial property and infrastructure damage caused by unprecedented movement within the 700-acre Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, with some areas moving as much as 40 to 50 feet. The city has experienced significant damage to homes and disruptions to critical utility and communication services.

To mitigate these impacts, Rancho Palos Verdes has implemented measures to reduce land movement within the Greater Portuguese Bend area. The city installed deep dewatering wells (DDWs) and pursued winterization measures to reduce groundwater pressure and prevent stormwater infiltration into the landslide area. Since September 2024, DDWs have extracted approximately 539 million gallons of groundwater, resulting in a substantial reduction in land movement. Preventative measures are ongoing and have placed a significant financial burden on the City.

"I am pleased to deliver $5 million in state funds to help the Palos Verdes Peninsula prepare for the upcoming El Nino winter storms," said Assemblymember Muratsuchi. "Governor Newsom just proclaimed a state of emergency to bolster statewide El Nino preparedness. These funds will help the City continue their proven efforts to slow down land movement following severe rainstorms and help protect homes, critical infrastructure, and regional emergency road access."

"The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is deeply grateful to Assemblymember Muratsuchi for adding this allocation to the state budget bill and for his attention to this issue going back to years before the 2023 acceleration," said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Paul Seo. "These funds will go a long way toward helping relieve some of the tremendous financial strain taken on by our small city and its residents in responding to the landslide emergency."

The $5 million in state funding will help Rancho Palos Verdes offset approximately $15 million in expenditures accrued during FY 2025-26, equivalent to 38 percent of the City's General Fund.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi represents California's 66th Assembly District, which includes El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro and Torrance.

CONTACT: Xochitl Murillo: (916) 319-2066