Feds Won’t Test Soil After L.A. Wildfire Cleanup, Potentially Leaving Contamination Behind

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday that it won’t order soil testing at properties damaged by the Eaton and Palisades fires after they have been cleaned by private federal contractors — breaking with a long-standing safeguard to ensure no lingering contamination is left behind after wildfires.

Federal and state agencies have called for soil samples to be collected and analyzed at homes and schools cleaned by work crews after nearly every major wildfire in California for the last two decades.

The process, known as confirmation sampling, is intended to verify that the soil at these properties no longer harbors toxic chemicals above the state’s cleanup standards once toxic-laden ash and rubble are removed, along with up to six inches of topsoil.

But now, on the heels of the most costly wildfires in the state’s history, Army Corps officials are saying that excavating six inches of topsoil is enough to rid fire-devastated properties of hazardous pollution.

At a news conference in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, Army Corps Col. Eric Swenson explained the decision by saying soil sampling wasn’t authorized in this disaster response.

“When the state does a request for direct federal assistance… they make that request of [the Federal Emergency Management Agency],” Swenson said. “And we get brought on to do a specific scope. And so these are the limits of what we can do under this disaster.”

The Army Corps is told “‘these are our instructions and guidelines,’ and we have to stick to those guidelines,” he added.

FEMA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Los Angeles County Officials Express Surprise and Concern

Los Angeles County officials expressed surprise over the Army Corps’ decision.

“We’re going to sit down and talk about this, because this is a concern,” said Kathryn Barger, chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. “We don’t want to discount it. … So we’re gonna have to regroup and figure this one out.”

Homeowners and Businesses May Be Left to Pay for Testing

The move will probably shift the burden to homeowners, businesses, and school districts to pay for testing and to potentially arrange for more contaminated soil to be removed.

Under California policy, contaminated soil should be removed until wildfire-affected properties come under state limits for toxic contamination, according to wildfire experts.

Environmental Groups Criticize the Decision

“If they’re not willing to do confirmatory sampling, that tells us they’re willing to leave the properties contaminated,” said Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics. “They’re willing to leave people at risk.”

Previous Analyses Show Toxic Chemicals Remain After Cleanup

Earlier this week, Swenson told reporters that the removal of six inches of topsoil “is an acceptable level of debris to remove to ensure that we get any of the hazards that may have fallen on the topsoil as a result of the fire.”

But that assertion appears to conflict with previous analyses that show dangerous levels of chemicals even after the federal cleanup workers clear a layer of topsoil.

Soil Testing Crucial for Public Health

“A lot of these cleanup standards are aimed to protect people’s health,” said Jill Johnston, an associate professor at USC who has overseen soil testing in contaminated areas. “Particularly thinking about vulnerable populations — elderly, our young kids and folks that have chronic diseases — we know, oftentimes, heavy metals stick around with ash and soil. They’re not going to easily dissolve or disappear.”

Conclusion

The decision not to test soil after the L.A. wildfire cleanup is a concerning development, potentially leaving behind contaminated soil that could harm public health. Environmental groups and local officials are urging the Army Corps to reconsider its stance and ensure that the soil is thoroughly tested to ensure the safety of the public.

FAQs

* What is the purpose of soil testing after a wildfire?
Soil testing is done to verify that the soil at properties damaged by a wildfire no longer harbors toxic chemicals above the state’s cleanup standards.
* Why is soil testing important?
Soil testing is crucial to ensure public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic diseases.
* What is the current policy on soil testing after a wildfire?
Under California policy, contaminated soil should be removed until wildfire-affected properties come under state limits for toxic contamination.
* How many properties have been affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires?
More than 7,300 property owners have filled out forms to inform public officials how they intend to clear hazardous ash and rubble.