Land Movement Update

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes remains laser-focused on remediating accelerated movement in the Portuguese Bend Landslide complex with short- and long-term solutions.

At its most recent meeting on March 19, the City Council approved two new dewatering hydraugers (consisting of five arrays each) to be installed as an emergency measure to remove water that is trapped underground and contributing to movement. One hydrauger will be installed near Burma Road at the north end of the landslide complex, and the other will be installed along Palos Verdes Drive South on the south end in the turnout area formerly known as “Gateway Park.”

The Council also extended RPV’s local emergency declaration and voted to explore ways the City can provide assistance to the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD) for their landslide stabilization efforts, such as no-interest loans, grants, and/or in-kind services.

The Council was set to consider a construction contract for the emergency wells on April 2, but the meeting has been canceled due to a lack of quorum. This will not delay emergency work, as the City Manager has authority under RPV’s local emergency declaration to sign contracts for emergency work that can be later ratified by the Council. No contracts have been signed at this time, as plans for the emergency dewatering hydraugers are still being finalized. The City Council will consider these items at its meeting on April 16.

Staff continues to work toward completion of the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the long-term Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks before going to the City Council for certification. 

Palos Verdes Drive South Roadwork

Roadway repairs began last week along Palos Verdes Drive South in the landslide area and will continue through March 29. City Staff is planning a more substantial project to regrade the steep dip between Narcissa and Peppertree Drives known as the “ski jump.” This work will require a temporary closure of Palos Verdes Drive South, which the City aims to keep to a minimum to limit disruptions, as the road is used by 15,000 vehicles daily. Construction details, including a timeline and detours, will be provided as soon as they are available and shared widely to give commuters advance notice.

Gov. Newsom Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for L.A. County

On March 22, Gov. Newsom announced he has requested President Biden declare a federal disaster in response to February’s storms in several counties, including Los Angeles. If the federal disaster is declared, the City could potentially utilize federal resources and funding to respond to the landslide. Staff is closely monitoring updates.

Landslide Town Hall Meeting on April 17

Join the City of Rancho Palos Verdes for an informative and interactive Landslide Town Hall Meeting on April 17 at 6 p.m. at the Ladera Linda Community Center and via Zoom. 

Get the latest updates from the City, utility companies, the Abalone Cove and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement Districts and others on what’s happening in the Portuguese Bend Landslide complex and efforts to slow accelerated land movement to protect homes, roads, utilities, and trails. Please bring your questions and concerns to a question-and-answer session following the presentation. Refreshments will be provided. 

Ladera Linda Community Park is located at 32201 Forrestal Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes. To participate virtually, complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate.

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.

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.