Land Movement Update

July 2 City Council Meeting

Council Approves Financial Assistance for Landslide Mitigation Work

At last night’s meeting, the City Council approved financial assistance packages for RPV’s two geological hazard abatement districts to fund their landslide mitigation work. The Mayor was authorized to execute a $1.9 million loan agreement and $1.6 million loan agreement with the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD) and Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD), respectively. Each loan includes a 12-year term and a 2.5% interest rate, with terms and conditions to ensure accountability, transparency, and additional oversight.

Latest Land Movement Data

The City’s geologist, Mike Phipps of Cotton, Shires and Associates, presented the City Council with the latest GPS surveying data tracking land movement, which was summarized in last week’s community update. Mr. Phipps noted that accelerated movement in the landslide complex has expanded by 5 acres to 680 acres, with the southwest toe of the Portuguese Bend Landslide pushing up the seafloor. A report (PDF) and maps summarizing the most recent monitoring data have been uploaded to the Land Movement page on the City website. 

Temporary Housing Guidelines

In response to concerns about the potential for some residents in the landslide complex to be displaced from their homes due to movement, the Council directed City staff to explore amending the Zoning and Building Codes to expand the permissible use of temporary housing on impacted properties and to protect existing structures from further damage. This could include using cargo containers or manufactured homes while repairs and stabilization work is made to permanent residences.

Local Emergency Declaration Extended

Finally, the Council extended the City’s local emergency declaration in the landslide complex through August 31. The declaration must be renewed every 60 days to remain in effect.

LACPW Seaview Sewer Repairs Update

The City continues working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACPW), which operates and maintains the sanitary sewers in the Seaview neighborhood, to address the displacement of the underground sanitary sewer main line on Dauntless Drive near Exultant Drive. According to LACPW, there have been no discharges of sewage aboveground. At this time, LACPW is installing a sewer bypass line for a segment of the sewer until repairs are completed. Longer term strategies are being considered and include re-directing sewer flow away from the intersection of Dauntless and Exultant Drives, bringing sewer pipes above ground, or using hazard-resilient pipe that is more flexible than typical pipe material. However, each of these options has drawbacks. Currently, the most viable approach is to continue to inspect the sewer lines and repair displacement as it is discovered.

LACSD Emergency Work Update

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) crews performed emergency work earlier this week along Palos Verdes Drive South bringing aboveground a section of sewer line damaged by ongoing land movement. Over the next several weeks, LACSD will be moving additional sewer lines aboveground along the roadway from approximately 2,000 feet north of Schooner Drive. Notices were provided to households along the work path and a landing page with more information is available on LACSD’s website.

SBA Financial Assistance Applications for Property Damage Due July 16

Reminder: The deadline for California businesses and residents to apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for property damage from recent severe winter storms is July 16.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize damage from occurring in the future.

A Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center is available with SBA customer service representatives who can answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help complete applications. No appointment is necessary.

Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Monday – Friday (5 days/week)

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

FOCWAssistance@sba.gov

(916) 735-1501

The deadline to apply for property damage is July 16, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is February 18, 2025. 

For more info, go to sba.gov/disaster.

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.