Los Angeles District News Releases

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Build Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ transformation initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:05:00 GMT

Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces finalization of nationwide permits

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 18:42:18 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will reissue 56 existing nationwide permits and issue one new permit for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. One existing permit will not be reissued.

Holiday rainstorms create reservoir impoundment behind Sepulveda Dam

Press Operations — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 16:32:39 GMT

The reservoir elevation at Sepulveda Dam reached and exceeded 680 feet Dec. 24 and again Dec. 26. The dam, owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Los Angeles District, is located at the headwaters of the Los Angeles River. Rainstorms create reservoir impoundment behind the dam. When the elevation reaches 680 feet, USACE notifies the Los Angeles County Police Department, which then determines whether Burbank Boulevard needs to be closed to traffic. As of Dec. 26, Burbank Boulevard remains closed to traffic until all rain events have passed.

USACE, partners remove 3 tons of debris from encampments in Santa Ana River Marsh

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:07:00 GMT

A team with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District and multiple county and city agencies joined forces Dec. 10 to clear debris from homeless encampments in the lower Santa Ana River Marsh, a sensitive habitat that supports several threatened and endangered species.

Corps to host National Public Lands Day

Press Operations — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:16:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District will host a National Public Lands Day clean-up event Sept. 27 at the Whittier Narrows Dam Basin and Whittier Narrows Nature Center.

USACE returning to complete maintenance dredging at Channel Islands Harbor

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:10:49 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, in coordination with the County of Ventura, is returning to complete the maintenance dredging at Channel Islands Harbor. USACE has conducted routine maintenance dredging of Channel Islands Harbor since the 1960s.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin debris removal on final opt-in property in Pacific Palisades Fire Recovery Area

Press Operations — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:52:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with FEMA, Cal OES, Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles, will begin debris removal at the final opt-in property in the Pacific Palisades Fire recovery area. This milestone event will bring together local, state and federal leaders, community members and the property owner to mark progress toward completing the debris removal mission.

USACE returns restored Temescal Canyon Road to City of Los Angeles

Press Operations — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:36:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed restoration of Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades and returned it to the City of Los Angeles. The road was used as a temporary staging site for debris removal following the January 2025 southern California wildfires, the largest debris removal mission in USACE history.

USACE to begin debris removal on final opt-in property in Eaton Fire Recovery Area

Press Operations — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:34:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with FEMA, Cal OES, Los Angeles County and local jurisdictions, will begin debris removal at the final opt-in property in the Eaton Fire recovery area. This milestone event will bring together local, state and federal leaders, community members, and the property owner to mark progress toward completing the debris removal mission.

USACE announces dune restoration plan at Hollywood Beach

Press Operations — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 22:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is announcing a dune restoration plan at Hollywood Beach designed to offset impacts of maintenance dredging activities in Ventura County. Restoration efforts are slated for implementation in fiscal year 2026.

USACE completes walk through, final inspection of Lario Park

Press Operations — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:21:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a final walk-through inspection of Lario Park with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency March 19 in Azusa. Following the devastating wildfires in nearby Altadena, the EPA, working under a clean-up mission for FEMA, procured use of the park as a temporary staging area from late January to mid-March. EPA used the site to collect, sort and transport household hazardous materials from the Eaton Wildfire.

USACE expands hazardous tree marking system, clarifies waiver process

Press Operations — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 01:09:00 GMT

In response to community feedback and a comprehensive review of hazardous tree removal procedures, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has implemented updates to its tree marking system and clarified details regarding the newly available hazardous tree removal waiver.

Tree waiver option available for property owners enrolled in federally funded debris removal

Press Operations — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:50:00 GMT

A hazardous tree removal waiver has been established for property owners participating in the federally funded Private Property Debris Removal program, who wish to retain specific trees on their property. This waiver allows owners to retain certain trees identified by a professional arborist to be hazardous.

USACE partners with state, county to develop state-of-the-art modeling to predict post-fire flood risks

Press Operations — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:53:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District is working overtime to ensure communities devastated by recent wildfires are informed on potential debris flows this storm season. USACE’s LA District is partnering with Los Angeles County and the California Department of Water Resources to assess and mitigate flood risks in areas affected by wildfires – particularly in the recent Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires – under USACE’s Public Law 84-99 authority.

US Army Corps of Engineers begins residential debris removal in LA County

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:53:00 GMT

This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the State of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will begin Phase-2 debris removal for private residential properties in the Eaton and Palisades wildfire impact zones. The start of Phase-2 debris removal to private homes marks a major milestone in the wildfire recovery process for residents impacted by the wildfires.

Sepulveda Dam Master Plan revision public comment period open now through March 26

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:53:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is revising the 2011 Sepulveda Dam Master Plan and is accepting public comments from Feb. 10 through March 26. During the 45-day public comment period, the public is invited to send comments, suggestions and concerns.

Hansen Dam Master Plan revision public comment period open now through March 26

Press Operations — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:49:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is revising the 2011 Hansen Dam Master Plan and is accepting public comments from Feb. 10 through March 26. During the 45-day public comment period, the public is invited to send comments, suggestions and concerns.

US Army Corps of Engineers begins Phase 2 of debris removal in Los Angeles wildfire recovery

Press Operations — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 02:11:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, has officially begun Phase 2 of wildfire debris removal in Los Angeles County, marking a critical step in the region’s recovery efforts. The first sites to undergo clearing are two schools in the Pasadena Unified School District, where crews are removing hazardous debris to ensure a safe path forward for rebuilding.

Corps, Friends of LA River to host National Public Lands Day

Press Operations — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 01:11:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, in partnership with the Friends of the Los Angeles River, will host a National Public Lands Day clean-up event Sept. 28 at the Sepulveda Basin.

LA District releases Los Angeles County Drainage Area Project Disposition Study Report of Findings

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District released the Report of Findings from its four-year Los Angeles County Drainage Area Project Disposition Study, which determined federal interest continues to exist in the federal project and, therefore, disposition cannot be recommended.