Newsom Warns Coastal Commission to Not Stymie Fire Rebuild

Gov. Gavin Newsom has scolded state coastal regulators for providing “legally erroneous guidance” in rebuilding Pacific Palisades, where nearly 6,700 structures burned in this month’s wildfires.

The governor ordered the agency not to issue guidance or take any action that interferes with or conflicts with his previous executive orders, the the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

Newsom also issued an order that temporary housing be expanded for firestorm survivors across Los Angeles County by extending hotel and short-term rentals to more than 30 days.

In addition, the latest order speeds up debris removal and cleanup with an eye toward recovery, allowing federal hazmat crews to begin cleaning up properties and to mitigate the risk of mudslides and flooding.

The orders follow an earlier order to suspend two coastal environmental laws, waiving the California Environmental Quality Act and Coastal Act rules. It also comes after a Jan. 16 order to streamline the construction of granny flats to create more temporary housing.

Newsom acted this week after commission guidance said that rebuilds in the burn areas were subject to Coastal Act exemption provisions and procedures.

The governor reiterated that all permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act have been suspended.

“As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way,” Newsom said in a statement. “We will not let our over-regulation stop us from helping the L.A. community rebuild and recover.”

Kate Huckelbridge, executive director of the Coastal Commission, appeared chastened in response to Newsom’s latest order.

“The damage caused by the fires in Los Angeles is unprecedented, and the state’s response must rise to meet this challenge,” Huckelbridge said in a statement.

“As the governor has emphasized, the Coastal Act will not slow or hinder rebuilding efforts. Coastal permitting requirements have been suspended for fire-impacted areas in Los Angeles to facilitate rapid recovery,” she said.

Huckelbridge said that the Coastal Commission is working with Newsom’s office to ensure a unified effort to rebuild fire-ravaged neighborhoods and help residents return to their homes.

As of Monday, the Palisades fire spanned 23,448 acres and was 94 percent contained, while the Eaton fire in Altadena scorched 14,021 acres and was 98 percent contained. Fire officials have verified that the Palisades fire destroyed 6,662 structures, while the Eaton fire destroyed 9,418.

— Dana Bartholomew