Laguna Beach fire officials told residents the city’s larger fuel‑reduction field modification projects remain constrained by state environmental permitting requirements.

Fire Marshal Robert Montgomery said the city submitted applications to the California Coastal Commission for fuel modification in zones 16 and 19 (Diamond Canyon). The commission returned comments requiring additional materials, including a restoration plan at an off‑site location to offset environmental impacts, Montgomery said. “The permitting process takes quite a bit. Sometimes, it takes a year, 2 years, even upwards of 3 years,” he warned.

Montgomery described the restoration requirement as a key cause of delay: because vegetation removal can negatively impact habitat, the Coastal Commission requires proof of a restoration site and a restoration/maintenance commitment (speakers said five years is typical) before approving fuel‑reduction permits. That means staff must identify a willing property owner and secure an agreement before resubmitting the application.

City officials and Chief Nico King explained that goats have been used historically for grazing in some coastal areas the Coastal Commission has already authorized, but expansion of the goat program across the city is limited by Coastal Commission and environmental concerns. Chief King said the city has about 200 acres under hand‑crew permits and historical goats program acreage locked in, and that expansion beyond those approved areas requires lengthy environmental and permit work.

The city has obtained grant funds — roughly a half‑million dollars the fire chief said — to fund initial passes for fuel removal and environmental studies in targeted zones. City staff and the fire department said they continue to pursue additional grants and to prioritize zones for action using contracted risk‑modeling work that incorporates slope, historical fire behavior and weather to identify highest‑risk areas.

Residents seeking more immediate mitigation were advised to contact city staff with property details so staff can assess what treatment and permitting options exist for specific parcels. Montgomery said private property authorization and cooperation from property owners are often required before the city can conduct fuel reduction on privately owned land.