Valleywide : Quake Debris Pickup Extension Rejected

The Federal Earthquake Management Agency has rejected a $98-million request by Los Angeles that would have allowed the city to continue hauling away earthquake debris at no charge to city residents through Jan. 17.

The disaster relief agency’s decision, communicated to the city last week, means that the program will end on Monday, after nearly 18 months.

City officials quickly rebounded with an alternative request for $15 million to fund a program that would encourage city residents, through a combination of penalties and incentives, to properly dispose of earthquake debris.

“It’s a new idea,” said Andres Santamaria, project manager of the city Department of Public Works’ earthquake recovery program. “Let’s see if they’ll buy into it, and if they agree with the amount of money for funding.”

The request was contained in a July 7 letter from City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie to FEMA Director James Lee Witt.

“It certainly will be reviewed,” said FEMA spokesman Morrie Goodman on Monday. “No decisions have been made as of this time.”

Los Angeles’ most recent request would fund overtime for police officers and street inspectors who would cite people for violating the city’s anti-dumping law.

It would also pay for an incentive program that would give rebates of up to $300 to people who collect their earthquake debris in special bins and take their construction waste to recycling centers.

In addition, the program would pay for newspaper advertising and billboard space to educate people about the importance of properly disposing of their earthquake debris.

The program would last for one year.

The City Council’s Ad Hoc Earthquake Recovery Committee is expected to review the city’s request for the FEMA funding today.