Napa DA clarifies purpose of notices regarding fire debris removal

Property owners who have received what seem to be bills for fire debris removal services need not be concerned, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said Wednesday.

The letters are actually preliminary lien notices sent by subcontractors working under the Army Corps of Engineers debris removal program, provided at no cost to landowners in the wake of the October wildfires, Haley said in a press release.

Filing of liens is unnecessary under the government-administered program since the direct contractor is required to have a payment and performance bond to ensure all subcontractors are paid, she said.

Not all subcontractors are familiar with the process and “it appears they are simply filing preliminary lien notices as a matter of routine,” Haley said.

Landowners should contact the subcontractor who sent the notice to determine if the work in question was performed under a contract with the Corps or another federal agency.

Those who still have questions may contact the District Attorney’s Consumer/Environmental Protection Unit at 707-253-4059 or daconsumer@countyofnapa.org.

-Guy Kovner