NCEMA Spring Conference 2014
Deb Aja – NCDENR Solid Waste Section
 Since Hurricanes Fran (1996) and Floyd (1999), NC has
grown to be one of the best states for Hurricane awareness,
planning and response.
 Gov. Hunt charged state officials to better organize and be
prepared for these type events.
 Executive Order 104 -1996. Disaster Recovery Task Force,
Center, and Action Team.
 Implementation of 22 new state programs (hog lagoons,
flood mapping, etc.)
• Lead state agency on management of solid waste •
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storm generated debris
Charged with assisting local governments in
management of debris in a manner to meet FEMA
Public Assistance reimbursement
Participated in SART – Proper management of animal
mortality
Development of Temporary Disaster Debris Staging
Sites program and Debris Management guidance
Require Disaster Planning and Response measures in
LG Solid Waste Management Plans
• Compliance and Technical Assistance Duties
• All FOB staff are State Emergency Response Team
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(SERT)members – Infrastructure Support
NIMS and other EM training
FOB staff maintain personal COOP plans
Regular communication with Local
Governments/Facilities for disaster readiness
Availability to work anywhere, anytime statewide
Demolition Waste
Existing Landfills
Transfer Facilities
Vegetative Waste
Existing Mulching operations or Landfills
Preparing for the scenario where existing facilities
are not accessible or operational…
Temporary Disaster Debris Staging Sites
Most counties will not have enough permitted
facilities to handle the debris generated by a
disaster.
Preapproved area designated to provide for the
temporary storage and/or the initial processing of
disaster generated vegetative and/or demolition
debris.
• Sites are evaluated to meet FEMA reimbursement
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standards.
All sites go through process of evaluation to comply with
environmental rules and Historic Preservation/Natural
Heritage.
Over the last decade, FOB staff have evaluated over 700
debris sites for use statewide.
Conditionally approved and require activation prior to use
(only FL maintains a similar database).
6 months operations window to remove debris (Requires
re-inspect to close out).
Prior to Irene, ~350 sites available for use.
• Having pre-staged debris sites, contracts, procedures
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in place is critical to the recovery process.
A key component of reimbursement.
Funding mechanism is shifts from 100% Federally paid
for designated timeframe post landfall, then reduced.
Movement of debris is critical to re-establish of vital
services (electricity, etc)
Reduction of public safety risk and environmental
impact due to waste streams remaining in place.
Tornadoes – Central and East 2011
Hurricane Irene – East 2011
Tornado – Cherokee County 2012
Winter Weather - Central and East 2014
 18 Counties impacted
 16 activated debris storage sites ( 12 new)
 ~7000 homes (500+ destroyed) – ~5000 in Wake
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County alone
Over 100 business (~25 destroyed)
Vegetative and Demolition Waste, Metals, HHW
EO 88 and HB268 – relaxed State rules on open
burning and on-site burial. Also charged DOT with to
assist with removal of waste from private property
Placed burden on local government as it conflicted
with FEMA reimbursement policies.
 Irene made landfall as CAT 1 near Cape Lookout on 8/27/11
 34 counties impacted
 84 activated Debris sites (over 60 new)
 Due to configuration of the storm, NE quad was flooding
/storm surge related, wind to west of eye
 Storm surge caused major damage along “inner banks”
 Concentrated mostly between the western eye wall and
western most bands
 EO 105 – Required NCDOT & DENR to assistance in debris
removal from private property
 Between April tornadoes and Irene, the market for
mulch and boiler fuel in Eastern NC became
overwhelmed.
 Several debris sites stored processed materials for
extended period.
 Concerns of increase pile heating and spontaneous
combustion.
 At least 2 sites caught fire.
 Localized impacts - Murphy area
 Vegetative and demolition debris generated
 Business and residential damage, roads blocked
 4 activated Debris sites (1 new)
 1 exclusively by NC DOT for vegetative debris
 Demolition waste was containerized at source and
delivered to an out-of-state landfill
 We are never fully prepared – Most new debris sites
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were in counties that did not have sites set up or who
already had sites just in the wrong locations
Standard procedure sometimes goes out the window
State / Local cooperation
Tornadoes can happen in all areas of NC
Small storms produce large amounts of debris
Natural Disasters don’t discriminate
→Urban vs. Rural
Waste Management Options
 Chipping/Grinding
→Typically Tub Grinders
→4:1 reduction (75% reduction)
Burning (requires permitting)
→Air curtain pit incineration
→20:1 reduction (95% reduction)
→ Requires management of ash
Other Wastes…
• No household garbage, hazardous wastes,
medical wastes, or items banned from disposal
can be accepted at any temporary staging site
• All refrigerators / freezers should be inspected
by operator prior to acceptance
Establishing New Sites
Site
Selection
Evaluation
Conditional
Approval
READY TO ACTIVATE - CONTACT SOLID WASTE SECTION
 County/City/Contractor/Landowner will complete
the “Site Evaluation Sheet” available on our portal.
 It is then sent to the Environmental Senior
Specialist for the area in which the site is proposed.
 After receiving the form, the Environmental Senior
Specialist will conduct a site visit.
Even better….
Team approach very successful when coordinating
with EM staff, DOT, other agencies.
 Should be based on the expected volume at each location
(using the FEMA calculation guidance). The Public
Assistance Debris Estimating Field Guide is available on
portal site.
 Larger sites mean fewer sites to operate and close.
However, smaller, strategically placed sites are
advantageous.
 Smaller sites require more coordination and staffing, but
will allow for quicker debris clearing in remote areas.
 Smaller sites are typically used for vegetative debris storage.
 Since the location of damage
can not be predicted several
sites should be selected and
approved across the county.
 This will allow staging
options if access problems
and heavy localized damage
occurs.
 Ideally each county would
have at least 4 sites
conditionally approved and
ready to activate.
 Debris sites have siting criteria setbacks that must be
met for approval based on waste type and
management option (grinding, air curtain burner, etc.)
 Must pass review by Natural Heritage Program and
State Historic Preservation Office (often can take 2-3
weeks to obtain approval)
 Allow time to conduct environmental studies and
clearly define restoration goals.
 100 feet
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Surface Waters/Waters of the State
Property Boundaries
Buildings & Structures
Septic Systems
Vegetative Waste to potable water supply wells
 250 feet
 Demolition waste to potable water supply wells
 300 feet
 Tub Grinders to structures or locations where property
damage and/or personal injury could occur due to
airborne debris, vibration, etc.
Would this make a good site?
 Sites should be located
outside of identifiable or
known floodplain and flood
prone areas
 Consult the Flood Insurance
Rate Map for the location in
your county to verify these
areas.
 Sites should provide for easy access from main roads.
 Should not create traffic problems on local streets.
 Should avoid populated areas if possible.
 Should not create other problems (dust, noise, or
traffic issues) to nearby residents.
 Consider safety issues such as power lines and
underground utilities.
 Develop baseline data for each site whenever
possible to include location of any potential
problems, such as:
 History of previous uses of the property.
 Location of closest residences.
 Presence and condition of potable wells and water
quality.
 Residents with health problems in the area.
 Photographs of the site for closure purposes.
 Soil samples when possible.
Site
Activation
6-Months
Operation
Site
Closure
 BEFORE USING THE SITE
Contact Environmental Senior Specialist to
have the site ACTIVATED.
 A site will only be activated in the event of an
emergency. Note- this does not have to be a
“declared” emergency.
 Sites should be operated by the county / city /
township, NCDOT or contract operators.
 It should be clear who is responsible for the
operation and closure of the site from the
beginning.
 Private contractors operating temporary storm
debris sites should have written contracts
prepared by local government to ensure proper
operation and closure.
Prior to use, the site buffers should be flagged.
All temporary sites must be staffed during hours
of operation to prevent unauthorized use or
dumping.
Segregate waste prior to delivery to site.
•Keep piles small – maintain wind rows 5-6 high and 8-10 feet
wide to allow volatile gases to escape.
•Monitor waste piles and turn when temperatures reach 160°F.
•Separate piles with travel lanes spaced for fire fighting
equipment.
•Monitor incoming wastes for “hot loads”.
 All demolition debris removed to a permitted solid waste
management facility.
 All processed and unprocessed vegetative material, and inert
debris should be removed to a properly permitted solid waste
management facility or other approved locations (e.g. fuel
delivered to a boiler).
 Tires must be disposed of at a scrap tire processing/ disposal
facility.
 White goods and other scrap metal are separated and
recycled.
 Field Operations Branch offers Debris Management
Training every 3 years with emphasis on Debris Site
staging, Air Quality Rules, and basic debris planning.
 One-on-one training available upon request.
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wm/sw
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wm/sw
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wm/sw