Hello cabin neighbors- all permit holders should be getting this letter from the USFS- expect a certified letter this week. I will post this on the USFS page.

Dear Permittee,

 

I hope that you have had some time to visit your lot over the past few weeks.  I am truly sorry for your loss.

 

With impending significant weather moving into the Caldor Fire area this week, our emergency crews are shifting towards storm preparation work which includes emergency erosion stabilization and mitigations to hazardous waste with a potential to impact watershed.  The Eldorado National Forest is going to take emergency action to abate releases, or threats of releases, of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants from the parcel where your permitted cabin was authorized on National Forest System land. 

 

Our Regional Office has funded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to engage in the removal of hazardous waste, known as Phase 1 response.  This is official notification that the EPA will immediately mobilize their personnel and contractors starting as early as October 19th to begin the waste removal.  I expect a minimal amount of disturbance to your permitted site or to your private property.  Only hazardous waste that is readily apparent from a visual inspection will be removed.  Typical items included in Phase 1 are paint containers, fuels, bulk asbestos containing materials, electronic waste, and household cleaning products.  While you are legally obligated to comply with all applicable laws pursuant to the terms of your special use permit, including the abatement of releases of hazardous substances on and from your permitted parcel, the emergency nature of this situation and the need to take action before more winter storms arrive is prompting the Forest Service to take immediate action in your stead to mitigate the environmental threat posed by these materials.   

 

Phase 2 constitutes the full removal of any remaining debris after Phase 1.  I will notify you separately of procedures and plans for that process once Phase 1 is complete, which will include an option for you to perform the debris removal yourself.   You may use this notification letter to inform your insurance carrier of the Forest Service request, however the United States will not accept assignments of insurance coverage until the parcels have been assessed as cleaned to an unrestricted use status. Finally, I will provide information to you on the process of rebuilding your cabin in the near future. 

 

Thank you for your understanding of the immediate needs.   We will be reaching out to you with this information via email, phone, and certified mail in order to best attempt to notify you of this action.  Again, I am very sorry for your loss and hope to continue to engage with you as we all attempt to recover from the Caldor Fire.  If you have questions regarding this process, Phase 2, or other issues related to your permit, please contact Nancy Platt, Placerville District Special Uses Administrator, at 530-647-5330 or Nancy.platt@usda.gov.

 

Regards,

 

Scot

 

 

 

 

Forest Service Shield

Scot Rogers
District Ranger

Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest, Placerville Ranger District

p: 530-647-5301

c: 530-363-6623

scot.rogers@usda.gov

4260 Eight Mile Road

Camino, CA 95709

www.fs.fed.us
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