The County of Sonoma and the City of Santa Rosa in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) have committed to addressing over excavation issues that occurred as a result of the government-sponsored debris removal program after the October 2017 wildfires. Cal OES will work in coordination with the County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa to examine sites of concern and determine if over excavation occurred.
For properties that are determined to be over excavated, the State’s contractor will work quickly to return excess soil that should not have been removed. The amount of soil that was over excavated will be replaced on the site in a manner that is compliant with Sonoma County and the City of Santa Rosa building standards. The express goal of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program has been to remove fire debris and help communities prepare for rebuilding as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa have established a local phone number to receive concerns from property owners who believe that too much soil was removed from their home sites and to coordinate the process for the State to assess these properties.
To report over excavation concerns, property owners can call the Sonoma County Recovers Information Line at (707) 565-1222 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, email info@sonomacountyrecovers.org; or visit the County Administrator’s Office located at 575 Administration Drive Suite 104A. Property owners must report concerns by May 31, 2018 to receive a site assessment.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will stop accepting new issues and concerns through the Federal Debris Removal Information Line as of May 16. Property owners with previously reported or open issues can continue to call the USACE line. Property owners who have NEW debris removal questions or complaints can call the Sonoma County Recovers Information Line at (707) 565-1222 beginning May 17.