Highway crews clear roads as solid waste management faces storm debris challenges

The Beltrami County Work Session held on July 1, 2025, focused on the ongoing response to recent storm damage affecting highways and solid waste management in the area. The meeting began with an overview of the initial response efforts, highlighting that highway crews were mobilized early in the morning to clear roads. By 1:00 PM, most roads were opened for travel, although not fully cleared. Crews utilized equipment to push debris off the roads, and a generator at the highway facility ensured continued operations despite power outages.

The solid waste management side faced challenges as the transfer station lost power, prompting the establishment of a temporary collection site. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) was notified to assist in managing the situation. Staff were deployed to the demolition landfill to accommodate the influx of waste, with operations running from 7 AM to 7 PM daily, except for the July 4 holiday.

The meeting detailed the ongoing cleanup efforts, with six crews actively working to remove debris. Three crews were county staff, while two were contracted, and one was from Lakewood County. The cleanup is expected to take about a month, with Lake Avenue identified as the most severely impacted road.

The volume of waste being processed has been significant, with estimates of around 2,500 vehicles visiting the demolition landfill daily. The county has also seen an increase in regular garbage, necessitating additional resources and staffing. However, solid waste operations are currently short-staffed, complicating the response efforts.

Discussion included the potential for countywide debris pickup, which would be a costly and monumental task given the extensive damage across multiple townships. The highway department is dealing with approximately 270 miles of damaged roads, and the estimated cost for cleanup could reach $7 million. The reimbursement for these efforts is limited to restoring public facilities, leaving private debris removal costs ineligible for funding.

Overall, the meeting underscored the challenges faced by Beltrami County in managing the aftermath of the storm, with ongoing efforts to streamline operations and address the increasing volume of waste while navigating staffing limitations. Further discussions on solid waste management and debris removal strategies are anticipated as the situation develops.