LAKE COUNTY >> The remaining business lots destroyed in the Valley Fire won’t be cleaned by CalOES, a Lake County official announced earlier this week.
Despite having a “handful” of commercial properties cleaned, Environmental Health Director Ray Ruminski said the county was notified of this change in an email sent about two months ago. That correspondence did not come with an explanation.
“We will finish we have started cleaning up, but will not move to any new ones,” the email dated Jan. 4 read. “This operation would be under the county’s responsibility, not CalOES or CalRecycle.”
This leaves owners — and possibly the county — to foot the bill.
“For people who are comfortable with dealing directly, this is really frustrating,” Ruminski said, adding that some of these proprietors filed Right of Entry forms with CalRecycle’s cleanup program. “I don’t know if that constitutes a commitment but the expectation was there.”
As previously reported, Dan Nelson of Hoberg’s Resort, claimed that he received verbal commitments from the state to clean the large property.
According to CalOES Public Information Officer Robb Mayberry, commercial debris removal usually doesn’t qualify for public assistance grant funding — the same money that goes towards the residential cleanup.
The reason why businesses like Harbin Hot Springs, Menzio Tire Service and Havy’s Restaurant were cleaned because they posed a direct threat” to the public and environmental health and safety.
“It’s assumed that they have insurance,” Mayberry said. He claimed to not have information about the state’s communications with businesses such as Hoberg’s. Recently, the famous resort shut down wood collection and potential milling because the Board of Supervisors found it to be a potential threat to the nearby watershed.
Currently, owners are reportedly dealing with their insurance providers to see how much they pay out. According to a report from the California Office of Insurance, the Valley Fire resulted in insured losses of more than $700 million.
Ruminski added that they want to avoid abatement, which the county may be forced to do if they aren’t cleaned despite its inability to afford it.
“The owners are in the position that they want it done,” he said, uncertain of the potential county costs. “They will likely not let it go into that abatement mode.”
For now, plans to provide county help to owners like Hoberg’s Resort and Avalon Springs aren’t solid.
The county is trying to get reports and estimates from subcontractors in the state’s prime contract with A.J. Diani Construction, who was used to clean up the Rocky and Jerusalem fires after they finished with the blaze in the Trinity area. According to the director, the state also used the company to evaluate commercial sites.
Even acquiring those documents isn’t certain, he claimed.
“I’m feeling pretty frustrated but we’ve got to find a way to press on,” he said. “The county doesn’t have the [money] to contract for clean up. We’re open to any possibility.”
