Disaster Preparedness and Response

October 2007 Southern California Wildfires

In response to the devastating Southern California wildfires, the California Integrated Waste Management Board has prepared the below guidelines to assist local enforcement agencies (LEA) and local governments with debris management and disposal, household hazardous waste collection and storage, and ash cleanup and disposal. These guidelines will be updated as more information becomes available.

• Disaster Debris Management
• Waste Facilities and More Resources
• Guidance Documents
• Contacts
• Key Websites

Disaster Debris Management

Guidance on disaster debris management, including selecting and securing temporary storage sites, is available in Local Enforcement Agency Advisory #43--Disaster Assistance, as well as in the Disaster Plan. LEA Advisory #43 also contains guidance on financial and technical assistance, as well as information to collect for the CIWMB.

For Private Contractors

The document Project Specifications for the Angora Fire Structural Debris Removal--Lake Tahoe, California (Adobe PDF, 386 KB, dated July 16, 2007), is one of two structural debris removal plans prepared by CIWMB for El Dorado County. Other guidance documents are listed further below.

For Local Governments Contemplating a Coordinated Debris Removal Operation

The document Scope of Work for the Angora Fire Structural Debris Removal--Lake Tahoe, California (Adobe PDF, 3.1 MB, dated September 15, 2007), was prepared by CIWMB for El Dorado County.

The right-of-entry permit (Adobe PDF, 159 KB) allows counties, cities, and state agencies to proceed with cleanup on privately owned properties.

Disaster Waste Tracking: Jurisdictions may deduct disaster waste tonnage in their annual reports to the Board, so that it will not negatively impact their solid waste diversion rates. In order for jurisdictions to be able to claim this disposal reduction, it is very important that disaster waste be tracked at disposal facilities.

Disaster waste needs to be tracked separately. For each disaster waste load received, facilities need to record the tons by jurisdiction. Applicable jurisdictions will need to be able to obtain an accounting that shows how much disaster waste originated from their jurisdiction. If this data is not tracked in this manner, it is very difficult for jurisdictions to substantiate a disposal reduction and thus, negatively impacts their ability to achieve their mandated diversion goals.

Local government and emergency personnel have the most specific knowledge of areas that burned and facilities that are--or soon will be--receiving disaster waste. We ask that you assist us in notifying all applicable facilities regarding these record-keeping needs.
Please contact Charlotte Sabeh, supervisor in charge of disposal reporting at (916) 341-6214 if you have questions on tracking disaster waste.

Waste Facilities and More Resources

Solid Waste Facilities. The Solid Waste information System (SWIS) lists all the solid waste facilities throughout the state.

Household Hazardous Waste Facilities (Adobe PDF, 248 KB). This document lists all the active permanent and temporary HHW collection programs in California and their contacts. The facilities take most HHW waste with some restrictions. Materials that may be dropped off are batteries, oil, oil filters, latex paint, antifreeze, and other universal waste.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Recycling. The C&D Debris Recyclers Database lists construction and demolition debris recyclers throughout California.

Electronic Waste Recycling. eRecycle.org lists electronic waste recyclers throughout the state.

Auto Dismantling and Recycling

• Auto Scrap Recyclers (SIC Code 5093): MS Excel, 245 KB
• Auto Parts Recyclers (SIC Code 5015): MS Excel, 427 KB

Guidance Documents

CIWMB

• Local Enforcement Agency Advisory #43--Disaster Assistance. Guidance on disaster debris management, including selecting and securing temporary storage sites.
• Local Enforcement Agency Advisory #41--Emergency Waiver of Standards. Guidance on the issuance of emergency waivers.
• Integrated Waste Management Disaster Plan. The Board's 1997 plan contains information and case studies that can assist local governments in recovery efforts.
  --The Executive Summary includes checklists that direct you to the information on pertinent topics.
  --Chapter 4 includes information on temporary storage and waivers.
  --Chapter 5 contains information on and examples of debris management contracts.
  --Chapter 17 includes case studies of the 1991 Oakland Fire and the 1994 Northridge Earthquake debris management programs and examples of ordinances and contracts used to manage the debris.
  Note: FEMA reimbursement requirements may have changed since the CIWMB's Disaster Plan was adopted. Please go to the FEMA website for up-to-date information on reimbursement requirements.
• Disaster Waste Guidelines for Local Agencies. These guidelines were prepared to assist jurisdictions in preparing for and dealing with disaster waste.
• Asbestos-Containing Ash and Disaster Debris. Solid waste landfills accepting ash or other disaster debris that contains greater than 1 percent friable asbestos by weight that are not already permitted to accept such waste must obtain an emergency waiver specific to this waste type pursuant to the procedure set forth in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 3, Article 3. Where the Enforcement Agency has issued a waiver, the ash or debris containing greater than 1 percent friable asbestos should be handled in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 17897.18 "Design and Operating Requirements" for solid waste facilities that dispose of asbestos-containing waste.
• Guidance on rebuilding your home that can save or reduce resources in five categories: site, water, energy, materials, and indoor environmental quality.

Other Cal/EPA Boards, Departments, and Offices

• Handling Ash, Debris and other Hazardous Materials from Burned Structures in El Dorado County. Emergency Guidance Fact Sheet on Angora Wildfire #1, Department of Toxic Substances Control, July 2007
• Interim Recommendations for Disposal of Animal Carcasses Associated with Fires (Adobe PDF, 165 KB). State Water Resources Control Board, November 1, 2003

Other State Agency

• Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Provides Consumer Tips to Avoid Getting Burned Twice (California Department of Insurance press release, July 2, 2007). The Commissioner reminds fire survivors of helpful resources available at no cost.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Affected local governments in the fire areas may be eligible to receive up to 75 percent of the eligible cost for debris removal and emergency protective measures that were undertaken in response to the fires. The emergency declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.

FEMA brochures and information on specific disaster debris issues are located at the following sites:

• Debris Removal Information
• Debris Management Brochure
• Fact Sheet: Debris Operations-Clarification: Emergency Contracting vs. Emergency Work
• Disposing of Debris and Removing Hazardous Waste
• Demolition of Private and Public Facilities
• Debris Removal Starts with Property Owner

Contacts

• CIWMB Local Assistance Contacts. The Board's local assistance staff can help local governments to locate disaster debris processors and example disaster debris contracts and ordinances.
• Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) Directory.
• CIWMB Permitting and Enforcement Contacts. Staff contacts for local enforcement agency reference.

Key Websites

• Federal Government Coordination. California Fires--Government Information and Assistance (also en español).
• California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). Cal/EPA Fire Response and Recovery website. Information on other environmental issues related to the fires.
• Department of Consumer Affairs developed  www.RebuildYourLife.ca.gov as a resource for consumers seeking information about what they need to do to recover from a disaster. The site provides information for both during and after the disaster.
• Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES). Fire Season 2007.
• California Contractor's State License Board's Disaster Information Center.
• California Department of Insurance. 2007 Fire Emergency Response.
• San Diego Regional Water Control Board. Regional Resources.
• Southern California Air Quality Management District. Asbestos May Be Present in Debris from Burned Homes and Businesses

Note: If you require special accommodation to access these documents pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at (916) 341-6300 or opa@ciwmb.ca.gov.

Last updated: November 02, 2007