In a decisive move to expedite the recovery of wildfire-ravaged communities, California Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted an executive order temporarily suspending key environmental laws.
This action aims to hasten the rebuilding process for those who have lost homes and businesses to the devastating wildfires.
As reported by Newsweek, the wildfires have wreaked havoc across the Los Angeles area, scorching a landmass larger than San Francisco and decimating over 12,000 structures since January 7. The human toll has been equally severe, with at least 24 fatalities and around 100,000 individuals still under evacuation orders. Early estimates from private forecaster AccuWeather suggest the fires may be the costliest in U.S. history, with damages and economic losses ranging between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Governor Newsom's executive order, signed on Sunday, temporarily lifts permit and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act for properties significantly damaged or destroyed by the fires. The CEQA, enacted in 1970 by then-Governor Ronald Reagan, mandates public agencies to regulate activities with potential environmental impacts.
The executive order further instructs state agencies to identify other permitting requirements that can be safely suspended to accelerate rebuilding. It also mandates the state's Department of Housing and Community Development to collaborate with affected jurisdictions to establish new rules that would allow all permits and approvals to be issued within 30 days.
The California Coastal Commission, responsible for enforcing the Coastal Act, has stated that the law already allows for the reconstruction of disaster-destroyed homes and other structures without typical permits, provided the new structure is in the same location and not more than 10 percent larger than the one destroyed.
Governor Newsom, in an interview with NBC, emphasized California's commitment to environmental stewardship, but also underscored the urgency of rebuilding. "I'm not going to give that up. But one thing I won't give into is delay. Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder We're going to be back. We're going to do it efficiently and effectively," he said. He also urged residents to return and rebuild with higher-quality, more modern standards, while ensuring that the associated costs are not disproportionate, especially for middle-class communities.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed this sentiment, stating at a news conference on Thursday, "With so many homes and businesses lost, we are already putting plans in place to make sure that we aggressively rebuild. My office is leading the city effort to clear the way. Red tape, bureaucracyall of it must go."
Kate Huckelbridge, the California Coastal Commission's executive director, assured that both the Coastal Act and the Governor's Executive Order provide a clear pathway for replacing lost structures quickly and easily.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported on Monday morning that the Palisades fire was 14 percent contained, the Eaton fire was 33 percent contained, and the Hurst fire was 95 percent contained. However, firefighters are preparing for severe wind conditions that could further complicate efforts to control the fires. This situation underscores the urgency of Governor Newsom's executive order and the pressing need for swift rebuilding efforts.
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