UPDATE: 3/6/25 at 4:23pm – EPA Official Response
“EPA has ceased processing household hazardous materials and lithium-ion batteries at the Topanga staging area. EPA is now decommissioning the site, and full demobilization is expected within 6-8 weeks.”
As part of the Topanga Town Council’s ongoing commitment to getting our beach area back to normal as soon as possible, TTC President Carrie Carrier spoke directly with FEMA Region 9 Head Office this week, and obtained answers to important questions regarding the status of the hazardous waste cleanup site at Topanga Canyon Blvd. and PCH.
In short, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath heard the concerns of our community and took action. The EPA has discontinued processing batteries and other Household Hazardous Waste at the site. Below are updates on the current status and future of the site.
When will EPA finish completely with Topanga Site?
[ANSWER] Operations (all) have ceased in Topanga, both for batteries and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). It will not re-open. They will need six to eight weeks for remediation, so you will see some vehicles, equipment and activity there — but no waste sorting or battery processing.
What will remediation entail (will it include 6″ of soil removal)? Then will it be completely empty, or what will that look like?
[ANSWER] The process will involve testing of air, possibly soil and possibly water. Depending on the results of the testing, they will follow various prescribed protocols. They will get back to the Topanga Town Council with the specific procedures. If necessary (i.e. contamination found), then 6″ of soil will be removed. All materials, equipment, and structures and staging areas set up by EPA team will be taken down and removed completely. In essence, it will be restored to its condition pre-waste site. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS TO COME].
Where are they going to process the Malibu debris now?
[ANSWER] The HHW from the burned homes/structures will be taken to the Corpus Christi (CC)/former Church site in Pacific Palisades. There are numerous categories of Phase II debris, from “clean concrete” to green waste. Some of that may be sorted at the CC site.
How long do they think the Malibu Coast clean-up will take?
[ANSWER] Phase II clean-up is anticipated to last until the end of the year (so, less than 1 year). This process doesn’t require having roads closed, but it does create some degree of traffic on the roads to haul out the debris.
Where will Phase II take place now-in addition to “on-site”?
[ANSWER] Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) from deferred properties across the Palisades Fire area-including Malibu-will go to the burned Corpus Christi Church location in the Pacific Palisades. There is a list of landfills that they will provide to us as well, but it is a moving target and evolving list. Calabasas remains on the list for at least some of the ash and debris, but FEMA is actively seeking other locations. Topanga is not going to be used at all for Phase II sorting, processing or waste removal. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS TO COME].
Where are the remaining batteries going to be taken now?
[ANSWER] After doing an updated assessment of how many unprocessed batteries remain across the entire Palisades Fire area (including the deferred sites), they found the answer to be very few/almost none for the communities of Palisades, Topanga & Malibu. There are some remaining batteries for the Eaton Fire area. The Eaton Fire area batteries will be processed at Altadena Golf Course. A very small number of Palisades Fire area batteries may be processed at Will Rogers if they are already there, but that site is being wound down as well. ABSOLUTELY NO BATTERIES WILL BE PROCESSED IN TOPANGA FROM HERE ON OUT.
On a related note, when does FEMA anticipate that TCB and PCH will be re-opened now?
[ANSWER] That question is currently unknowable, as the answer is contingent on factors that go well beyond the debris removal process. There are actual road and slope repair issues that need to be addressed in addition to the debris removal. These are not decided by FEMA. The debris removal is not technically forcing PCH/roads to remain closed, but the trucks do create traffic that may slow down the limited ingress and egress access that residents currently have to it. Ending/removing Phase I from the area will certainly help, but the Phase II process will also require truck trips, so the traffic impact of winding down Phase I along PCH may be a net wash.
Watch video of the improved conditions at the hazardous waste sites at TCB/PCH and Will Rogers State Beach below. You can also read (and see photos of) previous updates regarding the waste sites, as well as information about road conditions and construction here on OneTopanga.com.