Major disasters, such as earthquakes, present challenges to local government which expand the scope of day to day requirements. One such area is in debris management. There are day to day processes and requirements in this area for a local jurisdiction, and a disaster, such as an earthquake will require the re-evaluation and expansion of day to day programs.
For example, the City of Santa Clarita was able to divert over 95% of an estimated 117,000 tons of earthquake debris from disposal through recycling. From lessons learned from other communities, the following are some general guidance for post disaster debris management.
1. Define the types and amounts of debris likely to be generated in natural and man-made disasters in the Pierce County area.
2. Consider getting the assistance of groups to assist with debris removal and recycling.
3. Use existing contractors, or hire new ones, to implement free curb side pick-up.
4. Issues to consider are what debris to collect, the location of receiving sites, collection method, ownership of material, processing and marketing strategy, what kinds of contracts will be needed and the length of time to allow for debris management.
5. Allow more time than anticipated because residents will only take advantage of debris disposal once they have their insurance or FEMA checks in hand and can demolish damaged structures. Delays in insurance payments and limited post disaster contractor availability may delay placement of debris at curbside.
6. Consider regional coordination. Coordinate with other jurisdictions, within and outside of Pierce County. Potential exists for confusion among residents when debris management program announcements are made by different jurisdictions with different programs.
7. Develop and keep updated a list of potential debris receiving and disposal sites. Issues including, but not limited to capacity, ownership, temporary use permits and time constraints should be considered.
8. Consider implementing debris segregation by material category at the point of collection. Experience has shown that once a jurisdiction begins requiring residents to segregate materials left at the curbside, residents left cleaner loads not contaminated with materials not acceptable to the local program.
9. Consider establishing relationships with construction and demolition debris contractors and debris recycling contractors. During the stressful times after a disaster, these relationships can prove useful in setting up programs. Pre-arranged contracts should be considered also.
10. Consider establishing aggressive public education programs, with citizen involvement in the process, to gain community cooperation.
11. Consider establishing specific controls at disposal sites for incoming debris, water run off and control of vectors and odors. Keep in mind that emergency waivers do not relieve the long term responsibility for environmental liability.
12. Consider designing processing to meet market specifications. Grinding disaster debris before material qualities and types and market specifications are well understood can drastically reduce diversion.
13. The market of greatest importance may be that of bio-fuel, produced essentially from mixed construction and demolition debris, free of metals and other contaminants, which is ground up to meet boiler specifications for particle size, moisture and other parameters.
14. Give consideration to general health and safety. In the past, more people have been injured in some cleanup operations than in the disaster itself.
15. Ensure receiving sites are open immediately, and reduce roadside pickup by providing convenient options to the public.
