The Truth About the Army Corps Lot Clearing Program
A Homeowner’s Frustration
After losing everything in the Palisades Fire, I thought at least the cleanup would be
straightforward. I was wrong.
Like many of my neighbors, I signed up for the Army Corps of Engineers’ debris removal
program, thinking it would be efficient and save me from fighting with my insurance. What I got
instead was months of confusion, delays, and costs I’m still trying to sort through.
It’s Not Really “Free”
They tell you the program is free. But what they don’t tell you up front is that FEMA and the
Army Corps are going to bill your insurance company directly, and in some cases, they
drain your debris removal coverage entirely. That leaves you with nothing left for things like soil
testing, site prep, or unexpected environmental remediation. Good luck building again without
those. My lot was cleared only to the ash line and my hardscape was left over and I have to
clear that before I can move forward. I am going to have to hire a private contractor to finish
the job so we can get started on our rebuild.
One Size Fits None
The Army Corps takes a cookie-cutter approach. They’ll scrape your lot down to six inches and
then call it a day. No customization, no nuance. Burned retaining wall? “That’s outside the
scope.” Melted pool shell contaminating the soil? “We don’t do pools.” Trees that might be
hazards during rebuilding? “Not in the ash footprint.”
Everything that’s not removed becomes your problem.
No Soil Testing? Really?
One of the most baffling parts of this whole process is that they don’t do soil testing
afterward. How are we supposed to rebuild safely without knowing if the soil is still toxic? Most
of us have to hire a private firm anyway just to verify it’s safe to pour a foundation. Again, out-of-
pocket—since insurance funds are already spent.
Slow and Opaque
Sure, they “mobilized quickly,” but that doesn’t mean they moved quickly on my property. Some
homes were cleared in weeks; others are sitting untouched for months with no explanation. You
couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone. Phone calls went nowhere. Emails unanswered.
Meanwhile, we're still paying mortgages, rent, and property taxes—on a heap of ash.
Opting Out Is Realistic
If you hire a private contractor. Don’t hire just any ordinary company. Find a contractor that
understands building a house. If they don’t know what a caisson is move on. Have them meet
you at your property in person and have them do a drone flight and look at the photos from the
air. Ask lots of questions. Some items like retaining walls or concrete steps can be saved. Make
sure they do the environmental testing and get the demolition permits for you.
Final Thoughts
What was sold to us as a helpful, no-cost government program turned into another bureaucratic
mess. The Army Corps of Engineers might have cleared my lot, but they left a trail of new
problems in their wake.
If I had to do it again, I’d think twice before handing my property over to a program that treats
every home the same, no matter how complex the damage. And if you're a fellow fire survivor,
read the fine print—and then read it again.
If you have questions or need a reputable lot clearing company to share your frustrations with
and get a plan of action, feel free to call Scott at 951-640-3890.
