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2025 Community Updates Archive
See below for Community Updates from 2025.
For updates from 2024, please visit the 2024 Community Updates Archive.
For updates from 2023, please visit the 2023 Community Updates Archive.
December
December 16, 2025 City Council Meeting
On December 16, 2025, the City Council will receive a comprehensive update on the landslide emergency.
From October to November, the Abalone Cove Landslide decelerated by an average of 7% and the Portuguese Bend Landslide decelerated by an average of 2%. The Klondike Canyon Landslide continued to see no measurable movement. The average movement rate for areas still moving within the active landslide boundary was 1.44 inches per week, down just slightly from October.
“Winterization” measures designed to prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the ground are expected to be completed in Upper Altamira Canyon and Portuguese Canyon this month, and maintenance in other winterized areas is ongoing. City staff is recommending additional priority winterization measures within City property on Plumtree Road and a fissure near Cinnamon Lane to reduce the risk of water intrusion and erosion to nearby private property.
Over the course of November, the City’s nine deep dewatering wells removed approximately 30 million gallons of groundwater, the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District’s 16 wells pumped approximately 4.5 million gallons, and the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District’s one operational deep dewatering well removed approximately 10.8 million gallons.
As of this month, $9.9 million or 60% of the City’s total landslide budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 has been spent or encumbered, including $3.3 million (20%) spent and $6.6 million (40%) encumbered.
Finally, the Council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on December 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpv.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Assistance Update
In October 2025, the City was notified that Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) District 9 Administrator Robert Fenton denied the City’s appeals of its decision to deny $37.9 million in requested disaster recovery funding for costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024.
Last week, the City filed its final appeal (PDF) of Administrator Fenton’s decision to FEMA headquarters. Cal OES now has 60 days to review the City’s appeal letter, and FEMA has 120 days to render a decision.
As a reminder, Administrator Fenton upheld the agency’s position that while the winter storms may have greatly accelerated land movement, what FEMA considers to be pre-existing conditions in the landslide make the City ineligible for reimbursement under the 2024 federal disaster declaration.
In its final appeal, the City states that contrary to FEMA’s denial, what is not pre-existing are the arial dimensions, depth of movement, velocity of movement, artesian and near-artesian groundwater pressures beneath it, and even direction of movement. The land movement experienced as a result of the winter storm is not just a simple expansion of the Landslide Complex it activated the deeper and previously dormant Altamira Landslide. None of this was seen during the history of the City, nor during the approximately 70-year history of landslide studies, monitoring, and observations conducted in the area, contrary to what is noted in the Eligibility Determination Memorandum and Administrator Fenton’s October 3, 2025 First Appeal Denial Letter. It is the opinion of the City and its subject matter experts that this is largely caused by "weather whiplash" starting in 2011 and culminating in 2024.
November
November 4 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At last night’s City Council meeting, City staff gave a comprehensive update on the landslide emergency and the impact of deep dewatering wells. From September-October 2025, movement continued to slow considerably, decreasing from an average rate of 1.8 inches per week within the active landslide area, to 1.46 inches per week. As a reminder, Southern California Edison (SCE) previously stated that a continued and sustained reduction in land movement near its electrical infrastructure to less than 1 inch per week would be necessary for the utility to consider re-energizing the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood, which has been without service since September 2024.
The City’s deep dewatering wells have removed over 370 million gallons of groundwater from the toe of the Portuguese Bend Landslide since last fall, with eight wells currently pumping out approximately 1 million gallons per day. The Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District's two deep dewatering wells are removing approximately 400,000 gallons per day, and the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District’s 16 dewatering wells (including seven original wells and nine deep dewatering wells) are removing approximately 165,000 gallons per day. The combined dewatering efforts are believed to have had a dramatic impact on reducing land movement.
City staff continues to “winterize” Upper Altamira Canyon and Portuguese Canyon for the rainy season, with this work expected to be completed by late November or early December. Staff is performing maintenance elsewhere in the landslide area where these measures are already in place.
Finally, the Council renewed for 60 days the local emergencies in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of motorcycles and bicycles along a two-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
October
November 4 City Council Meeting
On November 4, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the landslide emergency, the latest land movement data, remediation efforts, and how the City is preparing for the rainy season.
Since August, the Abalone Cove Landslide has decelerated by an average of 29%, believed to be due to the continued impact of deep dewatering wells installed by the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD). Land movement decelerated by an average of 26% in the Portuguese Bend Landslide, and by 30% in areas just outside the historical boundaries of the Abalone Cove and Portuguese Bend Landslides, referred to as Upper Altamira. The Klondike Canyon Landslide has not moved for one year.
The City expects to complete “winterization” work — measures designed to prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the ground — in Upper Altamira Canyon and Portuguese Canyon by late November or early December. Winterization work in Klondike Canyon and the Seaview neighborhood is complete and maintenance is ongoing.
Finally, the Council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on November 4, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpv
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
City Council Refers PV Drive South Toll Road Concept to Subcommittee for Further Evaluation
At its October 21 meeting, the City Council received and filed a report outlining the legal, procedural, and regulatory requirements associated with converting a portion of Palos Verdes Drive South into a toll road to help fund roadway maintenance within the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex.
Rather than immediately pursue a $25,000-$50,000 feasibility study, the Council voted unanimously to refer the concept to the Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee for further evaluation as part of the broader review of long-term funding options for the landslide area maintenance.
Council members expressed appreciation for staff’s research but emphasized the importance of reviewing all potential funding sources holistically before investing in a single approach. The discussion also highlighted potential unintended consequences, such as traffic diversion to other routes and the complexity of obtaining multiple state and federal approvals.
The next comprehensive landslide update is scheduled for the November 4 City Council meeting.
City Council to Consider PV Drive South Toll Road Feasibility Study
On October 21, 2025, the City Council will consider conducting a study exploring the feasibility of converting a portion of Palos Verdes Drive South into a toll road that would help pay for maintenance of the roadway in the landslide area.
Establishing a toll facility on a public roadway involves multiple layers of legal, procedural, and regulatory approvals. The process is primarily governed by the California Streets and Highways Code and requires coordination among state, regional, and federal agencies.
The Council will be asked to consider these complex requirements, as well as the potential unintended consequences of establishing a toll road, before deciding whether to seek a consultant for a feasibility study, which is estimated to cost $25,000-$50,000. The study could provide needed information to determine whether the toll road would be economically feasible, estimating the cost of operating the toll system and forecasting a net revenue estimate under different toll schemes.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The City Council meeting will take place on October 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38.
To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities, and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982 adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Assistance Update
In March 2025, the City formally appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny $37.9 million in disaster recovery funding requested by the City for costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024. On October 8, the City was notified that FEMA District 9 Administrator Robert Fenton has denied the City’s appeals, upholding the agency’s position that while the winter storms may have greatly accelerated land movement, what FEMA considers to be pre-existing conditions in the landslide make the City ineligible for reimbursement under the 2024 federal disaster declaration. The City believes the unprecedented land movement experienced as a result of the 2024 winter storms was not just a simple expansion of the shallower Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, but the activation of the Altamira Landslide, a much larger and deeper landslide that had been dormant prior to the record storms. City staff is now preparing a final appeal to FEMA headquarters, which will be submitted within the 60-day deadline.
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Statement on Veto of AB 986
Rancho Palos Verdes leaders today expressed their disappointment in Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto AB 986, legislation that would have amended the California Emergency Services Act to name landslides as a natural disaster that may be eligible for disaster assistance.
“Almost two years to the day since our City entered a state of local emergency due to unprecedented land movement that has torn apart homes and vital infrastructure, we are deeply disappointed that the Governor has vetoed a bill that would codify what anyone with common sense already knows — that drastic land movement is a natural disaster and the basis for a declaration of an emergency,” said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Dave Bradley. “The Governor’s assertion that state law already covers landslides runs counter to what has been conveyed to the City by the state as we have sought disaster assistance for the City and impacted residents, who have been left to take on the enormous costs of landslide response with little outside help. We thank Assemblymember Muratsuchi and Senator Allen for their leadership co-authoring AB 986 and are committed to continuing to work with them and the City’s coalition of supporters on this issue.”
Rancho Palos Verdes, a small, contract city with an annual operating budget of about $39 million, has spent over $48 million since October 2022 responding to destructive landslide movement that accelerated to unprecedented rates following back-to-back heavy rainy seasons. Peaking to moving about 1 foot per week in summer 2024, the natural disaster led to mass gas and electricity shutoffs, the red- and yellow-tagging of dozens of homes, major damage to infrastructure and trails, and the closure and disassembly of the historic Wayfarers Chapel. The City and impacted residents have faced difficulty securing disaster assistance, as state and federal agencies have largely deemed RPV’s ancient, slow-moving Portuguese Bend Landslide ineligible under existing law and programs.
“This was a missed opportunity to clarify and strengthen state law for landslide-prone communities navigating red tape. This decision leaves us with more questions and uncertainty, which will not help our City prepare for future landslide events,” said Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager Ara Mihranian. “Albeit disappointing, the City and its residents and business owners are resilient, and we will continue to pursue disaster recovery assistance.”
September
5:20 p.m.
Today, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ geologist conducted a preliminary geotechnical assessment of the site of land subsidence that occurred off Marguerite Drive near Palos Verdes Drive West on the evening of September 27, 2025. The cause of the land movement remains under investigation, and the situation is considered to be static at this time. The City’s geologist will continue to closely monitor the area in the days and weeks ahead. No homes are threatened, and no evacuations are in place. This isolated incident is unrelated to ongoing land movement in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, which is located about 4 miles southeast.
The City’s Building Official inspected each of the four properties on Marguerite Drive where backyards were damaged by the land subsidence and is in communication with the property owners. No structural damage was found, and no homes were tagged. As this incident occurred entirely on private property, cleanup and next steps are to be determined by the property owners. Out of an abundance of caution, the City is advising the public to avoid the shoreline in the immediate vicinity of Marguerite Drive as the bluff settles.
The City thanks the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department for their response and coordination.
10 a.m.
Marguerite Drive Update
On September 27, 2025, at approximately 8:20 p.m., land subsidence was reported along a coastal bluff off Marguerite Drive near Palos Verdes Drive West in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, approximately 300-400 linear feet of the slope sloughed off, dropping approximately 50-60 feet toward the coastline.
No injuries were reported, and there were no initial signs of structural damage as of September 27. However, significant soil movement has resulted in damage to several backyards. No evacuations are in place.
The City is working closely with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department and has dispatched the City’s geologist and Building and Safety Division staff to the scene. While a geotechnical assessment is ongoing, this incident occurred outside the boundaries of the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, which is located approximately 4 miles southeast.
The City continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
Your Support Matters — Urge Governor Newsom to Sign AB 986 Into Law
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign AB 986 into law — and we need your support. The Governor has until October 12 to sign or veto bills this legislative session. Please take a moment today to call his office at 916-445-2841 or fill out a form at gov.ca.gov/contact. A sample message for you to customize is provided below.
Dear Governor Newsom,
I urge you to sign Assemblymember Muratsuchi’s and Senator Allen’s landslide legislation, AB 986, into law. This critical piece of legislation expands the definition of emergencies under the California Emergency Services Act to include landslides, making vital state resources available to local governments to protect public safety and infrastructure. Despite the significant risks and costs associated with landslides, current law does not recognize landslides as events eligible for state emergency assistance, leaving communities — including Rancho Palos Verdes, which has been left in the position of single-handedly spending tens of millions of local dollars on landslide emergency response — vulnerable to further damage and economic strain. AB 986 has received strong support from both the Assembly and Senate in recognizing landslides as true emergencies that pose serious threats to municipalities and residents across the state. Please unlock this lifeline to vulnerable communities by signing AB 986 into law.
Sincerely,
[Name, City]
City to Receive $4 Million from LA County Sanitation Districts for Landslide Remediation
The Los Angeles County Sanitations Districts, the agency responsible for operating the main trunk sewers that transport wastewater out of the Peninsula, will award the City of Rancho Palos Verdes $4 million for landslide remediation. Today, the agency announced its Board of Directors approved the one-time contribution to support the City’s stabilization work, including the deep dewatering well program, because the City’s efforts to slow land movement are vital to protecting the above-ground trunk lines that run along Palos Verdes Drive South through the landslide area. The City expresses its deep gratitude to the Sanitation Districts, under the leadership of Chief Engineer and General Manager Robert Ferrante, for this funding and for their close partnership throughout the landslide emergency as we work together to ensure the protection of the sewer system.
Questions?
If you have questions, please email the City at landmovement@rpvca.gov.
Media Inquiries
If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City’s communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories.
Sept. 16, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
Land Movement and Dewatering Well Update
At last night’s meeting, the City Council received the latest updates on the progress of deep dewatering wells and recent monitoring of land movement. Several wells are undergoing repairs and re-drilling, with operations expected to return to normal in the coming weeks. The recently-installed Abalone Cove wells are effectively reducing movement, showing notable improvement compared to Portuguese Bend.
Preliminary monitoring for September indicated progress, with all land movement now measuring under three inches per month. Areas that had previously seen medium movement continue to shrink.
Budget Priorities
City Council approved the ranked priority list and budget for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Landslide Complex Program, which was developed with input from Geo-Logic Associates, Inc., Cotton, Shires and Associates, Inc., and City staff. Out of 19 identified priorities, the top three priorities are Palos Verdes Drive South Landslide Repair, Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer Repair and GPS Surveying.
Council also recognized approximately $2 million in savings from winterization work, due to several projects performing better than expected and contractor quotes coming in lower than anticipated. A $200,000 contingency was authorized for the Altamira Canyon culvert and lower canyon winterization work, as requested by Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD).
The FY 2025-26 landslide budget is $18.6 million, with $3.9 million (21%) spent year-to-date. Funding sources include 73% from the CIP fund, 22% from restricted funds, and 5% from assessments.
As a part of financial actions, the Council also directed staff to bring back an amendment to the ACLAD loan terms, allowing unused funds to be redirected to winterization projects.
Trail Conditions
The City Council also directed staff to continue conducting trail condition assessments, due to the public’s interest in restoring trail access to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve when deemed safe to do so.
September 16 City Council Meeting
On September 16, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the landslide emergency and the City’s remediation efforts. Survey data since the August 19, 2025 City Council meeting is currently being processed and will be provided in the next landslide staff report scheduled for November 4, 2025.
Winterization Efforts and Budget Priorities
The Council will receive an update on the City’s planned winterization work for the landslide. Cost estimates for these efforts have been reduced from $4.1 million to $2.3 million this fiscal year. This is due to several FY 2024-25 winterization projects performing stronger than expected and contractor quotes coming in lower than anticipated.
The City is also reviewing the ranked priority list and budget for the FY 2025-26 Landslide Complex program. The top three priorities are Palos Verdes Drive South Landslide Repair, Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer Repair and GPS Surveying. The ranking was based on recommendations from Geo-Logic Associates, Inc., Cotton, Shires and Associates, Inc., and City staff.
Hydrology and Hydraulics Study
The Council will consider authorizing a $1.3 million contract with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive hydrology and hydraulics study of the landslide area. The study will create a watershed model of the landslide complex using storm patterns from the past decade, develop concepts to reduce stormwater infiltration and identify optimal locations for deep dewatering wells.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on September 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpvca.gov.
AB 986 Update
The City is pleased to report that Assembly Bill 986 has officially passed the California State Senate Floor and won concurrence by the Assembly. This bill, authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and co-authored by Senator Benjamin Allen, would amend the California Emergency Services Act to include landslides as a natural disaster that may be eligible for disaster assistance. The bill is next headed to the Governor for his consideration and approval.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
August
August 19 City Council Meeting Highlights
At last night’s meeting, the City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to permanently prohibit new residential construction in the landslide area, including home additions. Property owners will be permitted to replace, restore, and repair development within its existing footprint. The new regulations will go into effect on September 18, 2025.
Have questions about what is and isn’t allowed? Visit our FAQs page or email the City at landmovement@rpvca.gov.
City geologist Mike Phipps presented the latest land movement data, stating that the 25% deceleration from June to August in the Abalone Cove Landslide is a very promising indication of the effectiveness of the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District’s (ACLAD) 10 deep dewatering wells.
The Council authorized City staff to apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding for the $40 million, long-term Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project, which would require a 25% non-federal match of $10 million.
Finally, the Council extended by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
AB 986 Update
On August 18, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to place Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s landslide legislation, AB 986 — which would amend the California Emergency Services Act to include landslides as a natural disaster that may be eligible for disaster assistance — on the suspense file. Bills are placed on the suspense file for further analysis if they are determined to cost $50,000 or more to the state’s General Fund, or $150,000 or more to a special fund. The Appropriations Committee has until August 29 to advance AB 986 to the Senate Floor for a vote. If it does not leave the suspense file, the bill would be dead for this year.
Cooling Centers Open August 21-22
Need some relief from the heat? Cooling centers will be available on August 21-22, 2025, at the following parks in the City:
Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park
12-8 p.m. Thursday
9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday
29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes
310-544-5350
Ladera Linda Community Park
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday
32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes
310-544-5370
Point Vicente Interpretive Center
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday
31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes
310-544-5375
Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat
- Drink lots of water and wear loose-knit clothing.
- Check up on relatives and neighbors, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions or are sensitive to heat. Let them know the heat is coming and the ways to stay safe.
- Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
- Take extra precautions if you work, exercise, or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, or until this period of extreme heat is over.
Know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location, and then immediately call 9-1-1.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
August 19 City Council Meeting
Landslide Emergency Update
On August 19, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the landslide emergency, the latest land movement data, and the City’s remediation efforts.
Since June, the Abalone Cove Landslide has decelerated by an average of 25%, possibly showing early signs of the impact of 10 deep dewatering wells installed by the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD). In combination with the district’s other six shallow wells, ACLAD pumped 6.8 million gallons of groundwater in July. The City’s geologist anticipates continued deceleration. ACLAD may install additional deep dewatering wells, depending on available funds.
Land movement decelerated by an average of 24% in the Portuguese Bend Landslide since June, and by 25% in areas just outside the historical boundaries of the Abalone Cove and Portuguese Bend Landslides, referred to as Upper Altamira. The Klondike Canyon Landslide continues to see no measurable movement since mid-October 2024.
The Council will consider authorizing City staff to apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding for the $40 million, long-term Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project. This grant is meant to replace a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant the City was selected for in 2023, prior to FEMA’s announced cancellation of the BRIC program, with the scope of work expanded based on current conditions. The HMGP grant would require a $10 million non-federal match.
Finally, the Council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Landslide Area Development Regulations
On August 19, 2025, the City Council will consider adopting an ordinance amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to permanently prohibit new residential construction in the landslide area, including home additions. The ordinance was introduced at the August 5 meeting. Because it will be considered for second reading, it is on the consent calendar, so it may, or may not be pulled for discussion by the City Council.
As a reminder, under the regulations in the proposed ordinance, property owners in the landslide area would be permitted to replace, restore, and repair development within its existing footprint. Additionally, the boundaries of the landslide complex would be updated to correspond with the expanded limits of recent land movement.
The full text of the proposed code amendments, a map showing the updated boundaries, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at rpvca.gov/landmovement.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The City Council meeting will take place on August 19, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
A map shows the updated boundaries of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ proposed 2025 Landslide Area Development Regulations. Lots shaded in red are identified for addition to the boundaries due to the expanded limits of recent land movement, and lots shaded in blue are identified for removal from the boundaries due to the City geologist’s determination that land movement is unrelated to the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. Click map to open PDF.
August 5, 2025, City Council Meeting Discussion Highlights
At last night’s meeting, the City Council introduced an ordinance amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to permanently prohibit new residential construction in the landslide area, including home additions. Property owners would be permitted to replace, restore, and repair development within its existing footprint. Additionally, the boundaries of the landslide complex would be updated to correspond with the expanded limits of recent land movement, taking in eight additional properties: seven in the Seaview neighborhood, and one in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club. Property owners may apply for their parcel to be excluded from the landslide regulation area through an existing process, yet there are strict submittal criteria and findings to meet, including a safety threshold. The steps required for seeking an exclusion are outlined in Municipal Code Chapter 15.20.100 - Exclusions.
Now that the ordinance was introduced for first reading, it will have a second reading and vote at the August 19 City Council meeting. If approved, the new development regulations would take effect 30 days later. Learn more about the proposed regulations by reading Frequently Asked Questions on the City website.
During the meeting, the Council also moved to initiate the process of potentially forming a new geological hazard abatement district (GHAD) to help mitigate the Portuguese Bend Landslide, the largest of RPV’s ancient landslides. This approach could bolster landslide mitigation efforts, as GHADs — separate government agencies from the City — are not subject to the same regulatory requirements, enabling them to work with more speed and flexibility. The next step is for the City to issue a Request for Proposals to retain a geologist to prepare an engineer’s report, which would lead to the development of a Plan of Control, a document that describes the landslide hazards and a plan for abatement. Once the report is completed, the City would hold public meetings and go through the Proposition 218 public protest process to potentially establish the new GHAD.
L.A. County Backs AB 986
On August 5, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Janice Hahn, voted unanimously to support AB 986, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s landslide legislation. The bill would amend the California Emergency Services Act to include landslides as a natural disaster that may be eligible for disaster assistance, giving affected communities, such as Rancho Palos Verdes, a clearer path to declare emergencies and take action to protect public safety and infrastructure.
“There is no question about it – the land movement that has devastated neighborhoods in Rancho Palos Verdes and displaced families absolutely is a local emergency, and state law should recognize it as such,” Supervisor Hahn said in a statement. “Right now, cities impacted by landslides are forced to respond to these crises with one hand tied behind their back. That has to change.”
The City thanks Supervisor Hahn for her continued advocacy and support for the City and residents impacted by the landslide, including her $5 million grant in October 2024 supporting homeowners and the City's remediation efforts. After passing the Assembly floor in June, and the Senate Governmental Organization Committee in July, AB 986 is now set for hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 18.
August 5, 2025, City Council Meeting
On August 5, 2025, the City Council will discuss two topics related to the landslide emergency.
Landslide Area Development Regulations
First, the Council will consider amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to permanently prohibit new residential construction in the landslide area, including home additions. Property owners would be permitted to replace, restore, and repair development within its existing footprint. Additionally, the boundaries of the landslide complex would be updated to correspond with the expanded limits of recent land movement.
The full text of the proposed code amendments, a map showing the updated boundaries, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at rpvca.gov/landmovement.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Potential New Geological Hazard Abatement District
At next week’s meeting, the Council will also receive a report on how the City could go about potentially creating a new geological hazard abatement district (GHAD) for the Portuguese Bend Landslide. GHADs are independent governmental districts that levy assessments on property owners in their boundaries to fund efforts to mitigate a geologic hazard, such as a landslide. The potential new district would cover areas that are not part of RPV’s two existing districts, the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District. The potential third district, shown in the dark pink shade in the map above, would take in 90 privately-owned properties, and 23 City-owned properties including open space lots. The City-owned properties would account for more than 50% of the assessed land value in the entire district.
GHADs are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as city governments, which may offer an advantage in approaching landslide mitigation. For example, they are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and are not subject to the same contracting requirements as the City. The Council will consider the advantages of forming a third district, and whether to proceed with the next steps.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The City Council meeting will take place on August 5, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting in person or virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
July
In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of last night's Landslide Area Development Regulations Town Hall on RPVtv's YouTube channel. City staff gave an overview and answered questions about proposed draft Municipal Code amendments that would permanently prohibit new construction in the landslide complex, including home additions, due to the substantial change in circumstances of the land movement. The City Council is scheduled to consider the proposed code amendments at its meeting on August 5, 2025.
The full text of the proposed draft code amendments is available at rpvca.gov/landmovement. Based on public input received at and subsequent to the Town Hall, further revisions may occur before publishing the August 5 City Council staff report.
The PowerPoint presentation (PDF) from the Town Hall is also available on the City website.
Public comments should be submitted to landmovement@rpvca.gov before July 22 to be considered as part of the August 5 City Council staff report.
SoCalGas Begins Restoring Natural Gas Service in Seaview
SoCalGas has begun the process of restoring natural gas service to select Seaview homes that had their service shut off due to land movement last year.
For the past few weeks, SoCalGas has worked to upgrade and test its infrastructure in furtherance of restoring service to the Seaview neighborhood. In addition to replacing damaged gas mains, SoCalGas has been installing automatic shut-off valves, isolation valves, pipeline pressure monitors, and additional survey markers to monitor and mitigate any potential damage to gas facilities caused by future land movement in the area.
The restorations for homeowners who want to reconnect to the natural gas system began July 10 on Exultant Drive. Once infrastructure work is completed on Admirable and Dauntless Drives, natural gas service will be offered to homeowners there who want to reconnect and whose homes have not been yellow or red tagged.
Read SoCalGas’s full update and learn about the restoration process at socalgas.com/rpv.
The City thanks SoCalGas for its continued partnership in working to restore service to impacted customers where and when it is safe to do so.
For the latest updates from SoCalGas, go to socalgas.com/rpv. For customer service inquiries, please contact SoCalGas at 1-877-238-0092 or email projectinfo@socalgas.com.
Landslide Development Regulations Town Hall July 16
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will host a Town Hall Meeting regarding proposed Municipal Code amendments to address future development in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. These amendments would permanently prohibit new construction in the landslide area due to the substantial change in circumstances of the land movement.
Residents are invited to learn about the proposed code amendments and share their input during the Town Hall, which will include a presentation from City staff and a question-and-answer session. The proposed code amendments will be made available in advance of the Town Hall no later than Friday, July 11, on the City website at rpvca.gov/landmovement.
Meeting Info
The Town Hall will take place on July 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Ladera Linda Community Park and via Zoom. Refreshments will be served. Both in-person and Zoom participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to City staff.
Background Info
In September 1978, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes adopted a Landslide Moratorium Ordinance prohibiting new development in the Portuguese Bend Landslide area due to accelerated land movement. The ordinance was updated over the years to grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
After heavy rainstorms triggered a historic increase in land movement, in October 2023, the City declared a local state of emergency and implemented an additional moratorium prohibiting all new construction in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. Due to state law for moratoriums, the prohibition is set to expire on October 2, 2025.
As the landslide emergency continues, and with dozens of homes now red- or yellow-tagged due to land movement, the City has been studying revising the 1978 Landslide Moratorium Ordinance to permanently address development in light of the substantial change in recent circumstances.
At its meeting on August 5, the City Council will consider amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to prohibit new residential construction within the landslide complex, including home additions. Property owners would be permitted to replace, restore, and repair development within its existing footprint. Additionally, the boundaries of the landslide complex would be updated to correspond with the expanded limits of recent land movement.
The full text of the proposed code amendments will be made available in advance of the July 16 Town Hall no later than July 11 on the City website at rpvca.gov/landmovement.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
July 1, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
Land Movement and Dewatering Well Update
At last night’s meeting, the City Council received the latest updates on land movement trends and remediation efforts. Movement continues to decelerate across the landslide area, according to the most recent data collected in early June. Since early April, movement decelerated by an average of 14% in the Abalone Cove Landslide, 11% in the Portuguese Bend Landslide, and 13% in areas just outside the historical boundaries of these landslides, referred to as Upper Altamira. The Klondike Canyon Landslide has had no measurable movement since mid-October 2024.
For perspective, since peaking to unprecedented rates in July 2024, land movement has decelerated by an average of 65% in the Abalone Cove Landslide, 81% in the Portuguese Bend Landslide, 65% in Upper Altamira, and 100% in the Klondike Canyon Landslide.
Nine of the City’s deep dewatering wells are pumping out 1.15 million gallons of groundwater per day at the toe of the Portuguese Bend Landslide. Since September 2024, the dewatering well network has extracted approximately 270 million gallons, or 830 acre-feet, of groundwater — enough to cover the entire landslide area with over 1 foot of water. The project team continues to see a reduction in water pressure that has been fueling the land movement.
Using a $1.6 million loan from the City, the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District has installed nine deep dewatering wells that are removing approximately 250 gallons of water per minute, with two more wells in progress.
Voluntary Property Buyout Program Update
City staff gave an update on the progress of administering the Voluntary Property Buyout Program with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). One of the 23 applicants who had advanced to the appraisals phase earlier this year has withdrawn their application. However, at this time, the City anticipates there will only be enough funding to cover the purchase of the remaining 22 properties (13 red-tagged and nine yellow-tagged). While there is no definitive timeline for when the first properties can be purchased, the City anticipates being formally awarded the $42 million Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant from FEMA in several months. The City will receive the grant funds in installments as reimbursements only after properties are purchased, likely in batches of three at a time, which may take a few years to complete. The City has requested the funding be made available on a rolling basis, rather than FEMA’s standard practice of a quarterly basis, so the process can move along as quickly as possible. All remaining eligible applications will be considered for any future rounds of program funding, or if any of the 22 applicants choose to withdraw, maintaining their order of priority based on factors such as safety concerns, structural condition, and utility statuses.
A map shows the boundaries of the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (light pink) and the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (dark pink) within the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. The map is available at rpvca.gov/landslidemap
Potential New Geological Hazard Abatement District
At last night’s meeting, the Council directed City staff to explore how the City could go about potentially creating a third geological hazard abatement district in the City to cover the Portuguese Bend Landslide. For some background, three separate government agencies are responsible for mitigating movement within RPV’s ancient landslides, which together make up the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. While the City is responsible for landslide mitigation within City-owned open space in the Portuguese Bend Landslide, in 1981, two independent agencies known as geological hazard abatement districts were formed, via state legislation (Beverly Act), for the purpose of landslide mitigation within the Abalone Cove and Klondike Canyon Landslides, respectively. The Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD) are separate from the City and are funded by assessments paid by property owners in their boundaries (with the City being the largest property owner in each).
A map showing the boundaries of each district is available on the City website at rpvca.gov/landslidemap. Click on the Map Layers icon in the upper right-hand corner, then click on the triangle symbol next to the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex layer to expand a dropdown menu with additional layers showing the boundaries of ACLAD and KCLAD.
Geological hazard abatement districts are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as city governments, which may offer an advantage in approaching landslide mitigation. For example, they are not subject to the same contracting requirements as the City. The Council is tentatively scheduled to receive a report on the potential of establishing a new geological hazard abatement district to cover the Portuguese Bend Landslide at its meeting on August 5, 2025.
Local Emergency Declarations Renewed
Finally, the Council renewed for 60 days the local emergencies in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of motorcycles and bicycles along a two-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
June
Last Chance: Financial Assistance Grant Applications Due June 30
In October 2024, the City began administering emergency financial assistance grants using $2.8 million in landslide relief funding from the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to deliver immediate aid to residents impacted by land movement and utility shutoffs. Through this program, the City can provide up to $10,000 to each eligible affected property owner.
The deadline to apply for the Financial Assistance Grant Program is 5 p.m. on June 30, 2025. This grant program will officially end on July 1, 2025, and no further applications will be accepted after June 30, 2025. Following direction from the City Council at the Annual Budget Workshop on April 17, 2025, the remaining grant funds will then be transferred to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Fund to continue supporting landslide emergency response and mitigation efforts, in accordance with the grant requirements.
To date, the City has disbursed payments for 223 completed and verified applications, totaling $2.2 million. Eligible property owners who have not applied for an assistance grant may do so on the City website at rpvca.gov/landmovement.
City Requests Rep. Lieu Explore NDAA for Potential Land Transfer
The City and Wayfarers Chapel continue to work to identify potential pathways to reconstruct the landslide-damaged National Historic Landmark to an ideal site near the Ken Dyda Civic Center. As part of these efforts, last week, the City submitted a request to the office of Rep. Ted Lieu for his staff to explore the feasibility of transferring the Coast Guard-owned Battery Barnes property adjacent to the Civic Center to the City by securing language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This was done successfully in late 2024 by Rep. Lieu and Rep. Nanette Barragán for the cities of Los Angeles and Lomita to enable them to take ownership of ball fields at the Navy’s Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) on Western Avenue. This strategy of transferring federal land via an act of Congress was pursued due to a change in Department of Defense policy that would have resulted in charging youth sports organizations fair-market user fees. While talks of potentially using the NDAA for the relocation of Wayfarers Chapel to the Battery Barnes site are preliminary and informal at this point, the City is hopeful that our federal representatives will help us explore every avenue to potentially bringing Wayfarers to Battery Barnes, so it can remain in its historic community in perpetuity as a historic landmark, educational site, and community gathering space.
In May, the City and Wayfarers sent a joint letter to Rep. Lieu additionally requesting assistance in securing federal discretionary funding in the range of $25-30 million to help rebuild the chapel and establish the envisioned public campus.
AB 986 Headed to State Senate
AB 986, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s landslide legislation, is headed to the State Senate after passing the Assembly floor on June 3, 2025. On June 18, the bill was referred to the Senate Governmental Organization Committee. AB 986 would amend the California Emergency Services Act to include landslides as a natural disaster that may be eligible for disaster assistance, giving affected communities, such as Rancho Palos Verdes, a clearer path to declare emergencies and take action to protect public safety and infrastructure. The City is a co-sponsor of AB 986, and Mayor Dave Bradley and City Manager Ara Mihranian testified in support of the bill at an Assembly Emergency Management Committee meeting in April. The City thanks Assemblymember Muratsuchi for his continued leadership and advocacy on this issue.
July 1, 2025 City Council Meeting
On July 1, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the landslide emergency, the latest land movement data, and the City’s remediation efforts.
Current Conditions
Between April 5 and June 3, 2025, the average land movement rates decelerated considerably, continuing the downward trend of movement over the past four months. This is believed to be largely due to significantly below-average rainfall through mid-June, the positive effects of the major winterization efforts and the ongoing dewatering efforts by the City and abatement districts.
PVDS Toll Road Study
Following previous direction from the City Council, staff continues to analyze the possibility of converting a portion of Palos Verdes Drive South through the landslide into a toll road. Staff has reached out to firms for proposals to assess the feasibility of this project and will present a proposed contract of a toll road feasibility study for the City Council’s consideration at its July 15 meeting.
FY 2025-26 Budget
On June 17, 2025, the City Council adopted the FY 2025-26 Budget that includes $17.75 million for landslide mitigation and remediation projects. Of this amount, almost $13.7 million is funded by the CIP funds and $4 million is from Special Revenue (Restricted) funds.
Grant Update
Cal OES recently notified the City that it is eligible to apply for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for the Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project, covering a similar scope of work as planned under the discontinued BRIC grant. The City will move forward with a grant application for submission to Cal OES by September 15, 2025.
Finally, the Council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South. A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on July 1, 2025 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate in person, virtually, or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
May
SoCalGas Announces Plans to Restore Natural Gas Service in Seaview
SoCalGas has announced plans to begin the process of safely restoring natural gas service to impacted customers in the Seaview neighborhood while developing restoration plans for those in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club. Wednesday’s announcement does not include the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood.
Starting May 27, 2025, SoCalGas will begin upgrading and testing its infrastructure in Seaview, after which technicians will go door-to-door on Dauntless, Exultant and Admirable Drives to complete the restoration of natural gas service for homeowners who want it and have homes ready to accept gas service. Red-tagged and yellow-tagged properties will not be considered for restoration. Customers who have switched to alternative fuels or purchased new appliances to run on alternative fuels should consult a licensed professional to check if their appliances and houseline are ready for natural gas.
The construction and restoration of natural gas to the Seaview community is expected to take four to five weeks. Seaview homes along Palos Verdes Drive South will be evaluated for restoration afterward.
SoCalGas also announced it is developing design and implementation plans for restoring service to impacted customers in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club. Upon completion of the designs and plans, SoCalGas intends to proceed with the restoration process if the localized land movement conditions allow for safe resumption of service at that time.
Read SoCalGas’s full announcement, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, at socalgas.com/rpv.
The City thanks SoCalGas for its continued partnership in working to restore service to impacted customers where and when it is safe to do so.
For the latest updates from SoCalGas, go to socalgas.com/rpv. For customer service inquiries, please contact SoCalGas at 1-877-238-0092 or email projectinfo@socalgas.com.
Voluntary Property Buyout Program Update
In October 2024, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announced a $42 million voluntary buyout program for property owners in the Greater Portuguese Bend landslide area whose homes have been damaged or threatened by land movement. The Voluntary Property Buyout Program is intended to help eligible homeowners relocate to safer areas by offering a fair market value for their properties based on pre-disaster appraisals. Properties acquired by the City through this program will be permanently converted to open space and deed-restricted, protecting the community from future redevelopment risks in these vulnerable areas.
The City received 85 eligible applications for the first round of program funding, placing 36 on a priority list for further review by FEMA. City staff continues working expeditiously with FEMA to advance the selection process. We now anticipate being able to offer buyouts for 23 properties (13 red-tagged, and 10 yellow-tagged) in the first round of program funding. The owners of these 23 properties have been contacted by the City to complete appraisals as part of this process.
If you have not been contacted by the City about completing an appraisal, this means your property is not among the 23 being considered for buyouts and will not advance in this round of program funding. However, all remaining eligible applications will be considered for any future rounds of program funding or if there are applicants of the 23 who choose to withdraw, maintaining their order of priority. Prioritization is based on factors such as safety concerns, structural condition, and utility statuses.
Please know that City staff is working as quickly as possible to move through this lengthy and complex process, which involves multiple levels of close review by FEMA. Each property must be carefully vetted for compliance with program rules and regulations. In the coming weeks, the City plans to onboard a consultant dedicated to managing the buyout program.
While we do not have a definitive timeline for when the first of the 23 properties may be purchased, please keep in mind that the City is still in the “pre-award” phase of the grant process with FEMA. Once the City is formally awarded the grant, which could happen in at least several months from now, the $42 million will come in installments, likely on a quarterly basis, which is FEMA’s standard practice. The City will receive these payments as reimbursements only after the transactions are completed in batches. We anticipate being able to purchase approximately three properties at a time which may take a few years to complete.
The Voluntary Property Buyout Program is funded by FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This is different from FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which was recently ended by the federal government and may result in the City losing funding for a separate grant for landslide remediation work. At this time, City staff has not been notified of any changes to the status of the HMGP. The City plans to apply in the near future for additional HMGP funding in order to potentially offer more rounds of the buyout program.
If you have questions, please email the City at landmovement@rpvca.gov.
May 6, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At last night’s City Council meeting, City Geologist Mike Phipps gave an update on movement in the landslide area. According to the latest data from April, overall, the land movement continues to decelerate or maintain a steady state in areas that are still moving. Mr. Phipps believes this is largely due to significantly below-average rainfall through April, positive effects from winterization measures implemented in the fall, and ongoing dewatering efforts by the City, the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD).
Using a $1.6 million loan from the City, ACLAD has installed: five deep dewatering wells that are removing approximately 158,000 gallons of water per day and two monitoring wells (the wells are not operating 24/7). ACLAD anticipates activating three more dewatering wells in the coming weeks. These wells are targeting the fastest moving parts of the landslide area — in the Altamira and Abalone Cove Landslides — which are moving at a rate of about 4 inches per week. For comparison, at this time last year, the landslide was moving roughly twice as fast and was rapidly accelerating.
The City’s effective deep dewatering wells at the toe of the Portuguese Bend Landslide have removed 215 million gallons of groundwater at a current rate of about 0.85 million gallons per day. The Council allocated another $500,000 toward re-drilling several wells that have sheared or are anticipated to by June 30, 2025.
The Council directed City staff to revise the scope of work on a proposed hydrology and hydraulics study that would identify the source of water, ground and subsurface, contributing to land movement, including water originating outside City limits and from upper watersheds. An updated contract for the revised study will be considered by the Council at a future meeting.
Finally, the Council renewed for 60 days the local emergencies in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of motorcycles, bicycles and other one- or two-wheeled devices along a two-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
Financial Assistance Grant Applications Due June 30
In October 2024, the City began administering emergency financial assistance grants using $2.8 million in landslide relief funding from the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to deliver immediate aid to residents impacted by land movement and utility shutoffs. Through this program, the City can provide up to $10,000 to each eligible affected property owner.
The deadline to apply for the Financial Assistance Grant Program is 5 p.m. on June 30, 2025. This grant program will officially end on July 1, 2025, and no further applications will be accepted after June 30, 2025. Following direction from the City Council at the Annual Budget Workshop on April 17, 2025, the remaining grant funds will then be transferred to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Fund to continue supporting landslide emergency response and mitigation efforts, in accordance with the grant requirements.
To date, the City has disbursed payments for 222 completed and verified applications, totaling $2.2 million. Eligible property owners who have not applied for an assistance grant may do so on the City website at rpvca.gov/landmovement.
Disaster Recovery Appeals Update
In March, the City formally appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny $37.9 million in disaster recovery funding requested by the City for costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024. Earlier this week, the City was notified that the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) will not support the City’s appeal. This is due to Cal OES’ position that while the winter storms may have greatly accelerated land movement, what it considers to be pre-existing conditions in the landslide make the City ineligible for reimbursement under the 2024 federal disaster declaration. FEMA District 9 Administrator Robert Fenton has 90 days to consider the City’s appeal, Cal OES’ recommendation, and to render a decision. His decision is then appealable to FEMA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Cal OES is also not supporting appeals submitted by ACLAD and KCLAD for their denials of disaster recovery assistances.
Grant Funding Update
Last month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, a grant program aimed at helping communities across the nation build resilience against extreme weather events and proactively reduce natural hazard risks.
This is disappointing and concerning news for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. In August 2023, the City was selected for a $23.3 million BRIC grant to support long-term landslide mitigation work in the Portuguese Bend area, including the installation of dewatering wells and other key measures to stabilize land movement. Since being selected, City staff has been working with Cal OES and FEMA through the grant administration process, which was expected to take a few years. As the landslide accelerated and emergency measures were implemented, the grant amount was reduced to $16.4 million, since the BRIC grant cannot be used for emergency response work.
Losing this funding would jeopardize the City’s long-term stabilization efforts and place additional strain on our ability to address land movement in a proactive and sustainable way. Without access to external funding resources like the BRIC grant, the City will be forced to redirect limited local funds toward short-term emergency response rather than long-term solutions.
We are currently in active discussions with FEMA to learn more about the status of the grant and determine next steps. We strongly urge our federal, state and county partners to recognize the urgency of this situation and continue to support Rancho Palos Verdes in protecting our residents and vital infrastructure.
Separately, the City continues to work with Cal OES and FEMA to administer the $42 million Voluntary Property Buyout Program that is funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. At this time, City staff has not been notified of any changes to the status of this program. Any potential updates will be shared with the community.
RPV Visits Sacramento to Advocate for Landslide Bill
Earlier this week, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Dave Bradley and City Manager Ara Mihranian joined Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi at the State Capitol to testify in support of his landslide bill, AB 986. The legislation would expand the Governor’s power to declare a state of emergency for landslides by adding "landslide" as a condition constituting a state of emergency or local emergency in the Emergency Services Act. Assemblymember Muratsuchi co-authored a previous version of the bill introduced by Senator Ben Allen in 2024, SB 1461, which did not advance. During Monday's Assembly Emergency Management Committee meeting, Assemblymember Muratsuchi and Mayor Bradley made the case for the inclusion of landslides, emphasizing the hardship endured by residents impacted by the City’s crisis. Following discussion of potential changes to the bill, it was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The City thanks our state representatives for their continued support and advocacy. Watch a recording of the hearing on the California State Assembly website.
May 6, 2025 City Council Meeting
On May 6, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the landslide emergency, the latest land movement data, and the City’s remediation efforts.
The Council will consider allocating another $500,000 toward the maintenance and operation of the City’s existing deep dewatering wells through the end of June, and $458,400 for a drainage study to identify the source of water contributing to land movement, including water originating outside City limits and from upper watersheds.
Finally, the Council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on May 6, 2025 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
March
Update on Tax Relief for Homeowners Impacted by Land Movement
In recent weeks, the City has heard concerns from homeowners in the landslide area about the status of their applications for tax relief due to property damage. Homeowners have reported being advised to pay their normal property tax bill by April 10, 2025 while the Assessor’s Office processes their pending applications.
The City sent a letter to Assessor Jeffrey Prang seeking clarification last week and has since received an update. According to the L.A. County Assessor’s Office and the Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office, property owners in the landslide area who fall into one or more of the following categories can expect to receive a Notice of Assessed Value Change with an adjusted property tax bill in the coming weeks:
- Decline-in-Value applicants
- Misfortune and Calamity applicants
- Owners of any property that was red- or yellow-tagged by the City due to land movement. (Note: The Assessor’s Office proactively initiated reassessments for these properties, regardless of whether the owners applied for Decline-in-Value and/or Misfortune and Calamity tax relief.)
The adjusted property tax bill will have a new deadline which will allow at least 30 days to pay without penalty.
Value changes will be reflected on the Assessor’s Portal in the coming weeks as they become available. If you have questions about your property’s reassessment, property owners only may reach out to the following contacts:
L.A. County Assessor’s Office
- David Weakley: dweakley@assessor.lacounty.gov
- Art Sanchez: 213-635-5509
- Vanessa Rodriguez: 213-643-3920
L.A. County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office
- Public inquiries webpage
- 888-807-2111
Palos Verdes Drive South Toll Road
The City has come to learn that information on various social media platforms, such as Nextdoor, is circulating regarding imposing a toll road along Palso Verdes South through the landslide to generate revenue to cover costs incurred by the City to repair the road.
The City would like to assure the community that a toll road has not been discussed or decided by the City Council. The City has been approached by individuals who recommend a toll road be considered, but no action to date has been taken on the proposal. The City Council asked staff to conduct a feasibility study for future consideration at a public meeting. Staff anticipates the feasibility study to be completed by late summer at which time it will be made available for public review and comments.
March 18, 2025 City Council Meeting
On March 18, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the landslide emergency, the latest land movement data, and the City’s remediation efforts.
The Council will also consider allocating an additional $710,000 needed for repairs to the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer System, which serves the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood. The City anticipated spending up to $3 million for repairs this fiscal year, but due to damage from ongoing land movement, another $710,000 is needed through the end of June 2025. Without this funding, certain parts of the system would need to be closed to prevent sewer spills, and additional homes would be red-tagged until they could use the sewer system again.
Finally, the Council will consider extending by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
Questions?
If you have questions, please email the City at landmovement@rpvca.gov.
Media Inquiries
If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City’s communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories.
City to Receive $2 Million for Winterization Efforts
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is thrilled to announce the City will receive $2 million from the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to help offset the costs of emergency measures that were put in place to prepare the Portuguese Bend Landslide area for the rainy season. On March 18, the Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation (PDF) from L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella to provide the $2 million in reimbursement for the City’s $4 million winterization efforts, which began last fall to prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the landslide area. This work included filling fissures, lining canyons, installing drainage improvements and repaving vulnerable streets in the Seaview neighborhood. These measures have held up well during recent storms.
The $2 million from the Flood Control District is in addition to $5 million in landslide relief provided by Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office in October 2024. That included $2.2 million for the City to support emergency remediation measures, and $2.8 million for grants of up to $10,000 to deliver immediate aid to residents impacted by land movement and utility shutoffs.
The City thanks Chair Kathryn Barger, Supervisor Hahn, the Board of Supervisors, and Director Pestrella for all their support and collaboration helping our small City navigate the landslide emergency.
City Appeals FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Rejections
Earlier this week, the City formally appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny $37.9 million in disaster recovery funding requested by the City for costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024. The City’s seven appeals (PDF) will be considered by FEMA District 9 Administrator Robert Fenton, and his decision is then appealable to FEMA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
FEMA notified the City of its denials in January 2025, as the federal government considers accelerated movement in the City’s landslides a pre-existing issue. In its appeals, the City argued that the unprecedented land movement experienced as a result of the 2024 winter storms was not just a simple expansion of the shallower Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, but the activation of the Altamira Landslide, a much larger and deeper landslide that had been dormant prior to the record storms.
The City will provide updates on the appeal process in future newsletters.
March 18, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At last night’s meeting, City Geologist Mike Phipps gave an update on land movement, noting that while the deeper slide plane has reached a steady state, shallower points in the Portuguese Bend Landslide that were not the focus of winterization efforts are responding to recent rainfall with an increase in movement. Mr. Phipps is hopeful that 8-10 deep dewatering wells planned by the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) will help decelerate the Abalone Cove Landslide. So far, two of ACLAD’s wells are operational and three are in progress.
City staff gave an update on a proposed feasibility study exploring whether the City could implement a toll road along Palos Verdes Drive South to generate revenue for landslide roadway management. The Council has not discussed or approved a toll road, but previously authorized City staff to explore alternative funding sources for landslide remediation. The idea of a toll road has been suggested to the City by residents over the course of the landslide emergency. City staff has reached out to firms that work on tolling projects for quotes to conduct a feasibility study, and a contract for the study is expected go before the Council in the coming weeks. The study would explore revenue and operational costs, the impacts of diverted traffic, and legal requirements.
To avoid temporarily disconnecting portions of the sewer system in the Portuguese Bend Community Association and red-tagging additional homes, the Council allocated $710,000 needed for repairs through the end of June 2025.
Finally, the Council renewed for 60 days the local emergencies in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of motorcycles and bicycles along a two-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South.
February
February 4, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At last night’s meeting, the City Council received a comprehensive update on the landslide emergency. According to the latest data, average movement for the entire landslide complex has decelerated approximately 3% since early December 2024. The Portuguese Bend Landslide has reached a steady state of movement since the end of October, while the Abalone Cove Landslide and upper Altamira Complex points continue to slightly decelerate.
A map shows the proposed locations of new deep dewatering wells in ACLAD’s conceptual plan. Click image to open PDF.
The Council affirmed the use of the City’s $1.6 million loan to the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) for its plan to drill 8-10 new deep dewatering wells 250 feet underground within the district’s boundaries. ACLAD anticipates installation can be completed within the next couple of months, but more detailed information will be presented at a future Council meeting. The revised loan terms are tentatively scheduled to go before the Council on February 18, 2025.
The Council extended by 60 days the local emergency declarations in the landslide area and the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South from Wayfarers Chapel to Schooner Drive.
Voluntary Property Buyout Program Update
Earlier this week, City staff met with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) $42 million Voluntary Property Buyout Program. Cal OES has requested additional information for FEMA’s review of program applications, which the City will provide expeditiously. The City now anticipates being able to offer buyouts for 23 properties. Of these buyouts, 15 are expected for red-tagged properties, and eight for yellow-tagged properties. Staff is determining which eight of the 37 yellow-tagged properties seeking buyouts will be prioritized for this round of program funding.
February 18, 2025 City Council Meeting
On February 18, 2025, the City Council will receive an update on the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District’s (ACLAD) plans to install deep dewatering wells with financial assistance from the City.
ACLAD is one of two geological hazard abatement districts in RPV that were formed in 1981 for the purpose of landslide mitigation. The districts are separate government agencies from the City and are funded by assessments paid by property owners in their boundaries. The City is ACLAD’s largest property owner, accounting for about 60% of assessments.
In July 2024, the Council approved providing financial assistance to both districts (ACLAD and the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District, or KCLAD) to help them respond to the landslide emergency. This included a $1.6 million loan and in-kind services to ACLAD. At next week’s meeting, the Council will learn more about ACLAD’s plan to use the loan to install up to 10 deep dewatering wells 250 feet underground to relieve water pressure that is fueling land movement.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on February 18 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
Winterization Efforts Hold Up Well
Last fall, the City began implementing “winterization” measures in the landslide area to prepare for the rainy season, filling fissures, lining canyons, and installing drainage improvements to stabilize the land in the event of heavy rain. These efforts are designed to prevent water infiltration into the ground, ultimately decreasing the potential for landslide movement. Ahead of this week’s storm, the City closely inspected the winterized areas, made sandbags available to each of the landslide area neighborhoods, and cleared catch basins and major drainage culverts. The City is happy to report that the winterization measures were effective and held up very well in the storm, with only minor ponding on Palos Verdes Drive South.
SCE Begins Re-Energization
Over the weekend, Southern California Edison (SCE) began re-energizing some homes in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club and Seaview neighborhoods. The City is pleased to see the beginning of service restoration to residents who have been living off the grid for months, and to two of the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District's dewatering wells, which have been operating on fuel (the City’s fuel-powered dewatering wells are not affected). Our Building and Safety Division continues to work expeditiously with SCE and eligible homeowners to re-energize their properties as soon as possible. The City also continues to work with SoCalGas to restore service to these two neighborhoods in the weeks to come.
February 18, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At last night’s meeting, the City Council received a more refined plan from the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) to use a $1.6 million loan from the City to install up to 10 deep dewatering wells 250 feet underground to relieve water pressure that is fueling land movement.
The figure above shows the approximate locations of the proposed wells, which are numbered in order of priority. These locations were selected based on proximity to ACLAD’s historically most productive wells, gaps in dewatering areas, expected survivability, drilling access, and drainage availability. However, they may change as the project progresses and data is collected after each well is drilled. Construction could begin in as soon as in two weeks. Data assessing the wells’ effectiveness will be provided during regular landslide updates at City Council meetings.
ACLAD estimates the dewatering wells will cost up to $200,000 each, and a pair of monitoring wells that will measure water pressure will cost about $125,000. Annual operations and maintenance is expected to cost approximately $550,000. The City will provide $100,000 worth of in-kind services for project/construction management and geological services. The City’s loan has a 12-year term with a 2.5% interest rate, and the first estimated payment is scheduled for December 2025. ACLAD is expected to request an extension for the first payment since no amount has been disbursed yet this fiscal year. If ACLAD requests additional financial assistance for its dewatering efforts in the future, it will go to the Council for consideration.
Update on Red-Tagged Home at 4361 Exultant Drive
During a closed session at last night’s meeting, the Council authorized the abatement of 4361 Exultant Drive, the vacant, bank-owned home on the corner of Dauntless and Exultant Drives that was the first property to be red-tagged in the City in 2023 due to damage from accelerated land movement. The condition of the blighted and sunken property has significantly worsened since, drawing complaints, spectators, and posing a public nuisance. The City Attorney will seek a court order of abatement so the property can be demolished for public safety as soon as possible.
SoCalGas Announces Service Restoration Plan
On February 25, SoCalGas announced it is developing long-term planning for safe restoration of natural gas service to homes in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club and Seaview neighborhoods. This does not include the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood, due to ongoing land movement that exceeds limits established by SoCalGas.
SoCalGas expects to have its final design and implementation plan completed in the second quarter of 2025, at which point it anticipates commencing the work required to restore service if the land movement rates remain minimal and conditions allow for safe resumption of service.
The City thanks SoCalGas for its continued collaboration and commitment to restoring service when and where it is safe to do so.
Read the full update at: socalgas.com/rpv
January
February 4, 2025 City Council Meeting
On February 4, 2025, the City Council will receive the latest updates on geologic conditions in the landslide area, the City's stabilization efforts, and how winterization measures have performed during recent rainfall.
The Council will review a conceptual plan from the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) to drill 8-10 new deep dewatering wells in its boundaries using financial assistance from the City. The Council previously approved providing a $1.6 million loan and in-kind services to ACLAD for landslide mitigation work. Additional financial assistance that may be needed for the new dewatering wells could be considered at a future meeting when more information on costs and the project timeline is available.
The Council will also consider extending by 60 days the temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other similar wheeled vehicles from an approximately 2-mile stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South from Wayfarers Chapel to Schooner Drive. Although ground movement in the area has decreased since the temporary prohibition was put in place in June 2024, the land is still moving up to 4 inches per week in certain areas along the roadway and pavement conditions remain poor. If the temporary prohibition is extended, the Council will revisit it in two months.
Whether or not the Council extends the prohibition, bicyclists and motorcyclists should consider voluntarily avoiding this stretch of Palos Verdes Drive South out of an abundance of caution.
Finally, the Council will consider the extending the local emergency declarations in the landslide area that were put in place to bolster the City’s response to the land movement and utility shutoffs. Both declarations must be extended every 60 days to remain in effect.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on February 4, 2025 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
NASA’s UAVSAR airborne radar instrument captured data in fall 2024 showing the motion of landslides on the Palos Verdes Peninsula following record-breaking rainfall in Southern California in 2023 and another heavy-precipitation winter in 2024. Darker red indicates faster motion. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory
NASA Radar Imagery Confirms City’s Landslide Monitoring
Today, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) released a data visualization image showing the acceleration and expansion of the City’s ancient landslides. The image was created using data from four flights of NASA’s Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) in September and October 2024.
JPL’s study confirms and validates what the City has been observing in its robust GPS survey monitoring of the landslide. The landslide has significantly accelerated and expanded since spring 2023 due to the unprecedented rainfall of the winters of 2023 and 2024.
While JPL’s radar imagery strongly visualizes this dramatic acceleration and expansion of the landslide area during September and October 2024, the City would note that the landslide has decelerated since October due to the drier weather conditions and the City’s installation of highly productive deep dewatering wells.
The City is hopeful that this trend holds with its dewatering and winterization measures and continues to urge state and federal agencies to financially support these efforts. More funding is essential to maintaining and expanding the well network, which, to date, has pulled more than 125 million gallons of water from the landslide area.
Voluntary Property Buyout Program Update
Over the past few weeks, the City has heard from many Voluntary Property Buyout Program applicants asking if the program is still active considering recent wildfires and the Trump Administration's since-rescinded memo ordering a temporary freeze on federal grant funding. The City works closely with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to administer this Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant. According to the City’s Cal OES representative, the President’s order leaves uncertainty for the release of future funds issued through the HMGP, despite the “stay” issued by the courts until February 3. However, Cal OES and FEMA continue to review the applications, albeit at a slower rate due to staff being deployed to Southern California to assist with wildfire recovery. The City Attorney is closely monitoring this issue and how it may impact the buyout program and other pending federal grants. City staff is continuing its review of responses to a Request for Proposals (RPF) for professional services related to the buyout program — appraisal, title, escrow, and survey services — and aims to award contracts in March.
The City has also received questions from applicants regarding the buyout program’s tax implications. According to FEMA, hazard mitigation assistance that benefits property owners by mitigating their structures is not subject to federal income taxation. FEMA hazard mitigation assistance used to acquire a property will be treated as an involuntary conversion for tax purposes. For more information, property owners should consult the Internal Revenue Service office or a tax advisor.
Financial Assistance Grant Program Update
In October 2024, the City began administering emergency financial assistance grants using $2.8 million in landslide relief funding from the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to deliver immediate aid to residents impacted by land movement and utility shutoffs. Through this program, the City can provide up to $10,000 to each eligible affected property owner. To date, the City has disbursed payments for 216 completed and verified applications, totaling $2.15 million. The Finance Department will continue to review and process applications as they are received. For more information and to apply, visit rpvca.gov/landmovement.
New Ladera Linda Recharging Hours Start February 1 
Starting February 1, 2025, the Ladera Linda Community Center will no longer be open for extended hours but will return to normal daily hours of 8 a.m. to one hour after sunset. Residents, families, and students affected by land movement and utility shutoffs are welcome to use the facility's resources, including heated rooms, comfortable seating areas, Wi-Fi, and a charging station for cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. The Ladera Linda Community Center is located at 32201 Forrestal Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes. If you have questions, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 310-544-5370.
January 21, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At its meeting last night, the City Council considered potentially expanding the City’s network of 11 deep dewatering wells in the Portuguese Bend Landslide area. To aid the discussion, the Council was presented with a Conceptual Comprehensive Landslide Remediation Plan developed by the City’s consultant, as well as the City’s costs to date for emergency protective and stabilization measures.
The larger conceptual plan proposes the addition of 31 deep dewatering wells and nine hydraugers throughout the City’s landslide complex, plus long-term canyon drainage improvements. However, this full buildout was created under a hypothetical scenario in which unlimited resources are available. The purpose was to give the Council and the public the full picture of the scope and scale, as well as the big-picture cost estimate of what it would take to slow movement in the landslide complex to a negligible rate. With the overall cost estimated at $146 million, a phased approach would certainly be necessary. The Council therefore considered whether to add only some new deep dewatering wells as a next step in the phased plan.
For context, the City has spent $33 million this fiscal year alone responding to the landslide emergency, with no financial assistance from the state or federal government. The City’s annual operating budget is about $39 million. The Council previously authorized $14.7 million to install and operate the 11 wells through the end of March 2025. To free up funding for several potential new wells, City staff has identified about $4 million worth of capital projects the Council could opt to postpone, as they will not be ready for construction by the end of the fiscal year.
After considering the information presented, the Council authorized spending $2 million from the Capital Improvement Program by deferring some projects for operation and maintenance of the existing wells through the end of June 2025, as well as additional fissure filling needed in the Altamira Canyon area. Rather than have the City drill new wells, the Council directed City staff to explore providing an additional $5 million to the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) — a separate government agency that operates its own dewatering wells — in a form of a loan or grant so it could install more wells within its boundaries. This workaround is being proposed for cost savings and efficiency, as ACLAD is not subject to the same contracting requirements as the City, and the wells will be located in the jurisdictional boundary of ACLAD. The district is largely funded by assessments paid by the City, its largest property owner (approximately 60%).
This matter is scheduled to be discussed during the next landslide update at the February 4, 2025 City Council meeting.
FEMA Denies City’s Requests for Disaster Recovery Assistance
Late last week, the City received formal notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied its requests for disaster recovery costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024. This news was anticipated, as the federal government has indicated it considers accelerated movement in the City’s landslides a pre-existing issue. Disaster recovery cost requests submitted by the Abalone Cove and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement Districts (ACLAD and KCLAD) were also denied.
The City will appeal FEMA’s decision as we continue to pursue every avenue for potential financial assistance managing the landslide emergency. Appeals are due by March 17, 2025.
January 21, 2025 City Council Meeting Discussion Recap
At its meeting last night, the City Council considered potentially expanding the City’s network of 11 deep dewatering wells in the Portuguese Bend Landslide area. To aid the discussion, the Council was presented with a Conceptual Comprehensive Landslide Remediation Plan developed by the City’s consultant, as well as the City’s costs to date for emergency protective and stabilization measures.
The larger conceptual plan proposes the addition of 31 deep dewatering wells and nine hydraugers throughout the City’s landslide complex, plus long-term canyon drainage improvements. However, this full buildout was created under a hypothetical scenario in which unlimited resources are available. The purpose was to give the Council and the public the full picture of the scope and scale, as well as the big-picture cost estimate of what it would take to slow movement in the landslide complex to a negligible rate. With the overall cost estimated at $146 million, a phased approach would certainly be necessary. The Council therefore considered whether to add only some new deep dewatering wells as a next step in the phased plan.
For context, the City has spent $33 million this fiscal year alone responding to the landslide emergency, with no financial assistance from the state or federal government. The City’s annual operating budget is about $39 million. The Council previously authorized $14.7 million to install and operate the 11 wells through the end of March 2025. To free up funding for several potential new wells, City staff has identified about $4 million worth of capital projects the Council could opt to postpone, as they will not be ready for construction by the end of the fiscal year.
After considering the information presented, the Council authorized spending $2 million from the Capital Improvement Program by deferring some projects for operation and maintenance of the existing wells through the end of June 2025, as well as additional fissure filling needed in the Altamira Canyon area. Rather than have the City drill new wells, the Council directed City staff to explore providing an additional $5 million to the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) — a separate government agency that operates its own dewatering wells — in a form of a loan or grant so it could install more wells within its boundaries. This workaround is being proposed for cost savings and efficiency, as ACLAD is not subject to the same contracting requirements as the City, and the wells will be located in the jurisdictional boundary of ACLAD. The district is largely funded by assessments paid by the City, its largest property owner (approximately 60%).
This matter is scheduled to be discussed during the next landslide update at the February 4, 2025 City Council meeting.
FEMA Denies City’s Requests for Disaster Recovery Assistance
Late last week, the City received formal notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied its requests for disaster recovery costs incurred responding to the landslide emergency due to the winter storms in late January and early February 2024. This news was anticipated, as the federal government has indicated it considers accelerated movement in the City’s landslides a pre-existing issue. Disaster recovery cost requests submitted by the Abalone Cove and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement Districts (ACLAD and KCLAD) were also denied.
The City will appeal FEMA’s decision as we continue to pursue every avenue for potential financial assistance managing the landslide emergency. Appeals are due by March 17, 2025.
January 21, 2025 City Council Meeting
On January 21, 2025, the City Council will consider potentially expanding the City’s network of deep dewatering wells in the Portuguese Bend Landslide area.
Since installation began in September 2024, 11 wells have removed over 112 million gallons of groundwater that has fueled unprecedented land movement.
The highly productive wells have yielded positive results. Land movement in the vicinity has decelerated significantly, with no new movement recorded in the Seaview and Portuguese Bend Beach Club neighborhoods in the past three months. To date, the Council has allocated $14.7 million for the emergency dewatering well program through the end of March 2025. This does not include other landslide remediation costs such as repairs to Palos Verdes Drive South and winterization efforts. The City has funded this major project without financial assistance from the state or federal government.
At next week’s meeting, the Council will be asked to consider whether to install more wells, and if so, how many. If additional wells are desired, the Council will consider which other capital projects could be postponed to make funding available for any new wells. City staff has identified about $4 million worth of such projects, which will not be ready for construction by the end of the fiscal year.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on January 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live on RPVtv’s YouTube channel, at rpvca.gov, or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.
SCE Announces Plan to Re-energize up to 76 RPV Customers by March 31
On January 14, 2025, Southern California Edison (SCE) announced its plan to provisionally re-energize up to 76 customers in select portions of the Portuguese Bend Beach Club and Seaview neighborhoods in Rancho Palos Verdes by March 31, 2025. This does not include the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood.
Customers who are eligible for restoration will be notified by SCE about the next steps. As part of the restoration process, properties will be required to undergo electrical and structural property inspections by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and obtain a permit for any self-generation installed, including solar, battery storage, and gas-powered generators. Red-tagged properties will not be considered for restoration.
Eligible customers may schedule an inspection and apply for the necessary permit(s) from the City by contacting the Building and Safety Division at 310-544-5280 or by emailing buildingsafety@rpvca.gov.
Read SCE’s full announcement at sce.com/rpv. (Scroll to “UPDATE Jan. 13, 2025 Important Information Regarding the Rancho Palos Verdes Community.”)
The announcement comes after SCE President and CEO Steven Powell met with RPV Mayor Dave Bradley, Councilmember Steve Perestam, and City Manager Ara Mihranian earlier this week to discuss re-energization. The City appreciates Mr. Powell’s attention to this issue and SCE’s continued partnership in working to restore service to impacted customers where and when it is safe to do so.
For the latest updates from SCE, go to sce.com/rpv. SCE’s dedicated Customer Support Team is available at 1-800-250-7339 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.