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Ashe County approves private-property debris removal program; FEMA reimbursement expected
Summary
The Board authorized county staff to begin sign-ups and coordinate private-property debris removal with contractors; county will pay upfront costs and seek FEMA reimbursement, officials said.
The Ashe County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to begin a private-property debris removal program after the October storm, authorizing staff to sign residents up and coordinate contractor work that will be submitted to FEMA for reimbursement.
The move follows earlier county cleanup phases for roadside debris. County staff said contractors will register property owners, perform site assessments and prepare FEMA packets; the county will pay contractors up front and pursue reimbursement from FEMA.
County staff described the program as limited to storm-related materials on maintained property and in areas that threaten infrastructure or homes. Demolition of storm-damaged, still-standing houses can be covered. Titled vehicles and many items in unmaintained areas will likely be ineligible, staff said; titled vehicles, for example, must be handled through insurance and a separate staging process.
"This would only be available to those that came forward that signed up for it," Adam said during the discussion. Patty added that DebrisTech will perform initial registrations and assessments and that FEMA will review each packet for eligibility.
Officials said the county could request partial advance payment from FEMA, as it did for roadside debris, to ease cash-flow demands while waiting for reimbursement.
Commissioners and staff discussed disposal options (haul to Foothills landfill or another permitted facility), the arrival and use of a rented curtain burner at the Jefferson site, and whether tub grinders or mulch operations would be used; staff said some equipment has setback requirements and that burning and grinding operations depend on contractor plans and permitting.
Commissioners asked how the program would be publicized; staff said the contractor would market by Facebook and mobile sites and the county would follow up with a press release and outreach. Sign-ups are expected to take place at the Disaster Recovery Center at Family Central.
The board voted to proceed with the private-property debris removal process and asked staff to return with cost estimates once sign-ups produce concrete numbers.
The board’s action authorizes the county to begin the sign-up and assessment process and to enter contractor coordination with the understanding that FEMA will ultimately determine eligibility and reimburse the county for eligible work.
