the government has issued an executive order that temporarily sets aside key environmental regulations to enable survivors of wildfires to rebuild their homes and businesses more quickly.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office received an email inquiring for a comment.
Why It Matters
since January 7.
In U.S. history, AccuWeather, a private forecaster, estimates that the damage and financial losses fall between $135 billion and $150 billion.
What To Know
On Sunday, Newsom signed an executive order that suspends specified requirements for permits and reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act for properties that suffered significant damage or were entirely destroyed in the fires.
California Environmental Quality Act, which was signed into law in 1970 by then-Governor Ronald Reagan, requires public agencies to regulate activities that might affect the environment.
Governor Newsom's order also instructs state agencies to identify other permitting requirements that can be safely suspended in order to speed up the rebuilding process.
The proposal also requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to work with the affected local governments to create regulations that would require all permits and approvals to be issued within a 30-day timeframe.
The California Coastal Commission, the agency responsible for overseeing coastal development, announced that existing regulations already exempt the rebuilding of damaged homes and structures from standard permitting requirements, as long as the new buildings are constructed in the same location and do not exceed 10 percent in size compared to the original structure.
What People Are Saying
I'm committed to California's environmental leadership. However, I won't compromise on speed - delay is unacceptable, as it can uproot people's lives, destroy traditions, and devastate communities. We'll act swiftly and decisively to address our environmental challenges, getting results quickly and efficiently.
Please don't turn your back on us. Don't walk away, because we want you to come back and work with us to build something better, with newer and more modern building codes. We want to ensure that the costs associated with this are not unfairly burdensome, particularly in communities where middle-class families are already stretched financially.
With so many homes and businesses destroyed, we're already preparing plans to rebuild aggressively. My office is spearheading the city's effort to clear the way. Excessive regulations and bureaucratic red tape will need to be streamlined.
When it's time to rebuild, both the Coastal Act and the Governor's Executive Order provide a clear route for replacing lost structures speedily and efficiently.
What Happens Next
As of Monday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Palisades fire was 14% contained, the Eaton fire was 33% contained, and the Hurst fire was 95% contained.
This could make it even more difficult to gain control of the fires.
Related Articles
- Altadena Resident Shares Acute Details of Eaton Fire Evacuation: 'Too Late'
- A map of the Palisades fire shows the home of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former California governor, is threatened by the blaze.
- Protecting Your Pets from California Wildfires: Expert Advice
- California Wildfires Map Update Displays Regions Most Prone to Blazes This Week
Start your complimentary Hey NEWStrial