Sharing this email from Paul Hugo:
Hi All,
I’m sorry this is going to be a bit long. I will divide it up into these sections:
- Special Zoom meeting this Thurs at 7 pm. Only topic debris removal and the Right to Entry (ROE) form
- Why should you complete the ROE
- In person meet at Strawberry for filling out the ROE
- Instructions on how to fill out the ROE – it has changed and was updated late yesterday
- Questions and Answers about the debris removal program
Special Zoom meeting
Thursday, June 9th at 7 pm. Link to Zoom meeting (addition zoom info at end of this message)
Special guests, Amber Lane of Cal OES, Scot Rogers, USFS, and possibly a county representative.
This meeting will be recorded. If you can not attend, you can watch it later.
Why Should you Fill out the ROE
CCORP, National Forest Homeowner (NFH), the Forest Service and the county all believe this is the best and most affordable way to get your lot cleaned of the fire debris. This is the same basic program that almost all of the private property owners in the Caldor fire used. You MUST complete the form to be in the program. Otherwise, the Forest Service will contract out the cleanup and bill you at considerable costs to you. The estimated costs to have the Forest Service do the cleanup for you is in excess of $60,000. That cost will be paid by you if you do not enter into the program.
In person fill out the ROE at Strawberry
| When | Noon – 3 pm outside Strawberry Station (across highway 50 from the lodge) |
| Who | Amber Lane, Cal OES Forest Service rep El Dorado county rep CCORP reps: Tony Franks, Mike Buehler, Dawn Johnson National Forest Homeowner and NSSHA rep, Meredith Randall. |
| Why | To assist anyone with questions about the debris cleanup program and to help anyone with filling out the ROE. There will be paper copies available. |
Instructions for filling out the ROE
If at all possible, we suggest you fill out the form on a computer. It is an editable PDF with some logic to try to make sure you don’t miss a section or that you skip the appropriate sections. Also, it will copy things that appear on every page like APN to every page. Once you fill it out you can then either email it or print it out and USPS mail it. Of course, you can just print it out and fill it out the old fashion way. If you need help, please reach out to any of the leadership team (all listed in the to for this email.)
If you do not have all information you need to fill out the ROE or have questions before the deadline, submit something. Cal OES needs to know if a lot is planning on using the program by June 20th. It is better to submit an incomplete or not quite right ROE and get into the program than to submit a complete ROE and miss being part of the program. If in doubt, fill it out and submit something.
Things you will need to complete the ROE
- Your tax bill
- If you have insurance, your policy, agent and claim number
- If you lost an auto or trailer in the fire and had insurance, that policy, agent and claim number
- A rough sketch of your lot with location of the septic system, any out buildings, propane tanks, any other underground things they should be aware of. Note anything special.
Where to get the ROE
Link to ROE form (https://www.edcgov.us/Government/emd/Documents/Caldor%20Fire/USFS%20ROE.pdf)
Most of the form is pretty self explanatory but there will be some things that might lead to questions. If you have any questions ask one of the leadership team and.or attend the Thurs meeting.
Specific fields on the form to be aware of
- Property address – It says to use the city on the property tax bill. The city isn’t listed on many or all of the tax bills. Use the city that comes back from a google search of the address or what you might use in a maps program or directions app.
- APN – They want the APN and not the assessor’s #. This is the number on the tax bill under Fee Parcel Number or Fee Number. It will start with a zero. It is NOT the one in yellow. (We told you the wrong thing at the last meeting)
Q&A
- Q: What is the deadline to return the ROE.
A: June 20th, 5 p.m. If sending via USPS, plan to send it several days before June 20th so they have it by June 20th. - Q: I signed the county’s ROE form last fall. Can that be used now?
A: No, the form is different, for example, trees are excluded…) - Q: Will septic systems be covered?
A: No - Q: Will retaining walls be covered?
A: Generally no. If the wall is part of the foundation or is a hazard to workers it might be covered - Q: Are Propane Tanks covered?
A: If you own the tank then it will be covered. You need to put that on the ROE. If you don’t own the tank also put that on the ROE - Q: Are wells covered?
A: Most underground things are not covered. Pump houses, treatment facilities, tanks may be covered. Send email to paul.hugo@gmail.com if you have any of these. - Q: Will there be any cost to me?
A: The costs of the debris removal will be taken care of by FEMA. If you have insurance they will be billed later (see next questions). The costs to remove septic systems, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits will be the cabin owners responsibility. If you have insurance some of this may be covered. - Q: How is insurance handled?
A: You are assigning whatever remaining debris cleanup insurance you have to the program after you have taken care of any clean up not covered by Cal OES that is covered by your insurance. In general, the county will work with the insurance company directly. If your coverage is for a specific amount, that will mostly go to the program. If your insurance does not have a specified amount and it comes out of your total amount, whatever remaining amount exists after you rebuild will be collected after you finish rebuilding or, if you are not rebuilding, after you have settled the final claim with insurance. - Q: The insurance company has already paid me the cleanup amount. What happens now?
A: By signing the ROE you are agreeing to give over that amount to the program. You will be required to turn over any amount you have not spent on uncovered debris removal. - Q: After I submit my ROE, will I get notified it has been received and accepted?
A: Cal OES is working on an automatic response but doesn’t think it will be in place in time. We have been told Cal OES will share with CCORP any cabin that has not returned the ROE by the 20th. We will make every effort to make sure no one is missed. - Q: Will I be notified when my lot will be cleaned up?
A: 24 – 48 hours prior to the start of debris removal Cal OES try call owners. They will make three attempts. Cleanup will be by tract. - Q: Can I be present for the cleanup?
A: From Cal OES Q&A. “Yes, however, exclusion zones will be established surrounding the work area to ensure safety, and property owners may not enter these zones during debris removal. These zones will be marked with yellow and red tape. The safety of the general public and workers is a priority during debris operations. To prevent safety hazards, the public is encouraged to stay away from areas where debris removal operations are underway.” It is highly recommended that if you need to address a concern about the property that you put it on your ROE or address it during the call. These access roads are extremely congested and limiting vehicles is in the best interest of safety. - Q: Is there some place I can look at the progress of the cleanup on my lot?
A: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/cb5c2cc0080f43b98a9c0b55cb63cd19/ you have to zoom in on the map a bit but eventually you can click on a property and get the details. Currently our lots are not listed but Cal OES expects them to be fairly soon. - Q: If I don’t think I’m rebuilding what will be left for me to return the lot back to its natural condition that is not covered by Cal OES?
A: Debris removal is generally restricted to the building’s footprint, so walkways, septic, water lines, rock patios, retaining walls, fire pits will be left for the owner to deal with. - Q: Can I keep my Chimneys or foundations?
A: Generally, with fires this hot, chimneys and foundations are not structurally stable or sound and will be removed. If someone wants to keep one of these, they will need to hire a structural engineer to evaluate it and enroll in the alternative debris removal program. The state program does not leave foundation or chimneys. The standards for concrete have changed enough in the last 50 years that concrete from then would not even meet today’s standards. If you really feel strongly you want to save a chimney or foundation, please reach out to one of the leadership team. - Q: What happens if you don’t sign the ROE form?
A: The Forest Service will contract the debris removal and will send you a bill. This will not be cheap. You also have the option of using the alternative debris removal program. If you do not wish to participate in the program and wish to use the alternative debris removal process, please let the Forest Service or one of the leadership team know. - Q: What about hazard trees?
A: In general Cal OES is not handling the trees. If there is a tree that is a direct hazard to the debris removal crew, they will cut it down. The Forest Service has contracted with RCD to take out any hazard tree within about 200 feet of any Forest Service road. This should cover most remaining trees. They will not be removed until later this fall or winter.
Zoom Meeting Info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86164531712?pwd=dzNNVHpIM3gwL0xRV0JWdkp3VFB5Zz09
Meeting ID: 861 6453 1712
Passcode: 770908
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