Curbside Quake Debris Pickup Is Extended

The city’s free curbside quake debris cleanup program will be extended six months, officials said Tuesday.

The service was set to expire Jan. 17--the quake’s one-year anniversary--but the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state’s Office of Emergency Services have agreed to provide the necessary funding through July 17.

So far, the program has hauled away about 2 million tons of fractured wood, concrete and other debris at a cost of about $149 million, officials said.

And there’s plenty more on the way.

“We haven’t seen a slackening in the amount hitting the streets,” said Jim Doty, assistant head of the city’s Earthquake Recovery Division. “We get a lot of calls from people who can now do actual work on their property.”

Doty said the city spends about $500,000 a day on demolition and debris removal. FEMA picks up 90% of the bill, the state 10%.

Russ Edmonston, a FEMA spokesman in Pasadena, said it’s no surprise that the city requested additional time and money.

“We experienced a similar thing with Hurricane Andrew,” Edmonston said. “This is a very widespread disaster and there’s a lot of hidden damage that becomes more and more evident as people rebuild their homes.”

Though FEMA has agreed, in principle, to give the funds, the city isn’t taking any chances. Deidre Reyes, a senior administrative analyst, said the city will submit a written request to the federal agency.

Because of concern over FEMA’s potential money shortage, Reyes said, “We want to assure the funds are obligated through July 17.”

Barring any funding problems, Reyes said the deadline for people to call for pickup will be sometime in June. That will give the city enough time to pick up the remaining debris before July 17, Reyes said.

The toll free telephone number to request debris pickup is (800) 498-CITY.