Larimer County allocates $4 million to flood debris program; expected to start in the next 2 weeks

The Board of Larimer County Commissioners this week approved up to $4 million and the hiring of a contractor for collecting flood debris. The county’s flood debris pickup program is expected to begin in the next two weeks once the contractor is hired and the plan designed. Collections are weather dependent.

As soon as the contractor and plan is announced citizens will be asked to put flood debris on the side of county roads, making sue to stay off the road itself. However, citizens are asked not to put debris on the sides of county roads until specific guidelines are announced in the next several weeks as potential weather-related issues such as snow pile-up could hamper the program.

Once developed in the next several weeks, the plan will be announced to the public. It is likely a zone-by-zone plan will be announced. Guidelines will be posted on how the debris needs to be placed and segregated. Material segregation will be necessary, and instructions for segregation will be announced.

Hazardous waste should not be left for any pick-up. Please call the Larimer County landfill at 970-498-5771 to determine how to dispose of hazardous waste.

The county’s contractor will not be collecting debris on private land or private roads.

For volunteer assistance in moving debris to roadsides, please call United Way 211 by entering ‘211’ on your telephone.

A program targeted at removing large flood debris in waterways may be developed in the future, but is not part of this program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations require Larimer County to adhere to specific requirements for cleanup and guidelines and procedures must be followed to maintain county eligibility for cost reimbursement. Monitoring debris pick-up is part of this requirement and the county will hire monitors to carry out this part of the project.

Questions concerning debris cleanup can be directed to Gary Darling at 970-980-2671 or Stephen Gillette at 970-498-5762.

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