Mitigation Request: EPA Assistance in Beach Remediation

If the EPA moves forward with using Will Rogers Beach parking lot as a hazardous waste sorting site, the loss of this critical public space must be offset by EPA-led environmental remediation efforts.

The soot, ash, and debris from the Palisades Fire have accumulated across our beaches, negatively impacting coastal ecosystems, marine life, and public health.

Unfortunately, the City of Santa Monica lacks the specialized equipment required for a large-scale beach cleanup operation. Therefore, we will be reliant on county, state, and federal support to provide the necessary machinery, personnel, and logistical assistance to remove hazardous fire-related pollutants from our shoreline.

Given that EPA disaster response teams are equipped for environmental cleanup operations, we urge the agency to allocate resources and personnel to address this critical environmental hazard.

If the Will Rogers Beach Parking Lot Sorting Site remains operational, the EPA must offset this impact by conducting large-scale beach remediation efforts to restore our coastline to pre-fire conditions.

The community deserves transparency and scientifically sound justifications for why a public beach parking lot was deemed a suitable hazardous waste processing site. The potential for toxic exposure to residents, beachgoers, and marine life is a serious concern.

We urge the EPA to reconsider the location of this operation and provide immediate public access to all environmental safety assessments conducted.

If relocation is not possible, We request a formal commitment from the EPA to assist in remediating our beaches from wildfire debris contamination.