Colonel Swenson Concludes Palisades Mission

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

As Pacific Palisades reached six months after the Palisades fire began on January 7, the mission of United States Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Eric Swenson to lead the government-run debris removal program has come to an end.

Dozens of community members and stakeholders gathered at Palisades Village Green on Wednesday, July 2, to bid farewell to Swenson—recovery field office commander for the Palisades, Malibu and Altadena areas—in a program hosted by Palisades Recovery Coalition, Pali Strong and Pacific Palisades Community Council.

“Colonel Swenson, what you’ve accomplished on behalf of our community, we can look around and see a change,” Pali Strong Founder Lawrence Vein said at the start of the program. “Where our hearts were deeply broken when we came into the city six months ago—a city we were walking one week before with our children right up the streets—you have brought us to a place of greater hope and promise as we move into our rebuild.”

Community members, including PPCC board members, area organization leaders and residents, were then invited to speak to Swenson, sharing messages of gratitude.

“I hope to get back here, I hope to get some invites, some ribbon cuttings, so I can celebrate this great accomplishment with you,” Swenson said of the rebuilding progress. “I have walked with you since the 12th of January when I got here. I want to walk with you as you rebuild and re-move into your community, your houses, and rebuild your lives and livelihoods here in Pacific Palisades.”

Swenson was then presented with several items from the community and elected officials, including a copy of the Palisades flag, signed by community members, a California State Resolution presented by the offices of Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, a Congressional Flag from Congressmember Brad Sherman’s office, and a certificate of appreciation from the office of Mayor Karen Bass.

“The way Colonel Swenson showed up for our community was a masterclass in leadership,” Councilmember Traci Park wrote. “Personally, I will never forget how he graciously took my frantic calls, how he somehow prioritized every request I made and how genuinely he built trust with victims. We all owe him a debt of gratitude, and while we’re sad to see him go, let’s look forward to having him visit to see our progress down the road.”

Swenson was also honored by Park at Los Angeles City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday morning, July 1.

The number of parcels that have been cleared of debris in the Palisades area has reached 3,757 as of July 8, according to Charles Delano with the USACE Public Affairs Office, with 3,544 receiving final sign off. USACE has received 4,010 total eligible rights of entry from the county.

USACE reported it has completed final sign off for 88% of the rights of entry, with 253 parcels remaining to be cleared. Its five-day average for sites cleared is seven, with 15 debris crews working in the Palisades area.

As of July 3, there are 15 parcels that have not opted in or out of the government-run debris removal program in the Palisades, according to the city attorney’s office.

“They have been declared a public nuisance and will be turned over to FEMA for possible cleanup by the USACE,” Deputy Director of Communications Ivor Pine explained.