🧯 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.