Lincoln County recommends emergency debris monitor to document flood damage and pursue FEMA reimbursement

Lincoln County staff told commissioners on a special meeting that the county should hire a third‑party debris monitor immediately to document waterway debris from a recent flood and make the county’s case for federal and state reimbursement.

Laurel, a county staff member, told the board that FEMA requires an independent monitor to verify that debris removed from waterways is flood‑related and properly documented. "My recommendation is to get a debris monitor on board as soon as possible," Laurel said, adding that a monitor would help map locations for permitting and testing and help FEMA and state preliminary damage assessment teams feel confident in the county’s documentation.

John McNiss, introduced as executive vice president of Debris Tech, said his firm can deploy drone teams for a detailed survey to quantify rock, sediment and vegetation, and that his company has broader air assets if needed. "We would send a drone team out ... to do a little bit deeper survey work where we can quantify the rock and the sediment and the vegetation to just get a good idea of what we're looking at," McNiss said.

County staff advised combining two procurement tracks: an emergency, short‑term contract to get a monitor on the ground before the state and FEMA assessment teams arrive, and a longer normal procurement to select both the monitor and a debris hauler. Laurel recommended using an RFP (request for proposals) rather than a lowest‑cost bid process so evaluators can weigh experience and equipment alongside price to avoid contractors motivated solely by volume.

Officials also discussed asbestos testing and disposal requirements for debris pulled from waterways. Staff said wetting often mitigates fiber release but that testing is required to decide whether material is clean or contaminated and where it can be disposed. The county plans to coordinate with state environmental agencies for testing and proper disposal procedures.

The meeting covered federal program coordination: staff advised pursuing both FEMA public assistance documentation and a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) assistance letter. NRCS and FEMA have distinct authorities and may both fund waterway work; staff cautioned neither is guaranteed. The transcript noted the county has 30 days to submit the NRCS letter and then an additional 30 days to identify locations, so staff suggested waiting until about day 28 to submit to preserve time for site identification.

Participants said Debris Tech has prior Montana experience (Missoula tornado, Red Lodge flood) and that one county that used the company praised its documentation assistance. Staff reported an emergency agreement email was sent without the attachment and asked Debris Tech to resend the contract for legal review. The transcript records a request to include a "not to exceed" amount of 80 in the draft contract but does not specify the unit (for example, dollars), so the article reports that amount as stated in the transcript without assuming currency.

Next procedural steps recorded in the meeting: Debris Tech will resend the emergency agreement; county staff will circulate the contract to commissioners and legal for review; staff will prepare an RFP for specialized debris removal and aim to have materials to the paper by the stated Monday noon publication deadline.

The meeting included repeated reminders that careful documentation—maps, surveys, and monitor records—will be essential to recouping costs through FEMA or NRCS if eligible. The board adjourned after the group confirmed the next steps and the plan to route the contract through legal review.