Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement after meeting today with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler:
“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Administrator Zeldin and Administrator Loeffler for a productive, solutions-oriented conversation focused on recovery following the Eaton Fire. This was a positive meeting that allowed me to walk through Los Angeles County’s streamlined permitting process and clarify that our current timeline for completing permit reviews is 31 business days.
Both administrators were engaged–sharing the President’s concerns while also listening to what I am seeing on the ground in Altadena. I emphasized that 53 percent of impacted residents have taken no action to rebuild, not because of permitting delays, but because they lack the capital to move forward–an issue exacerbated by delayed insurance payouts. Many families have not submitted plans or entered the County’s rebuilding pipeline and are now facing a serious financial crisis.
This meeting was an invaluable opportunity to underscore the County’s willingness to partner with the federal government to help survivors bridge the financial gap and begin rebuilding their homes. Recovery requires strong coordination across all levels of government, and I will continue to advocate for my constituents.”