For Immediate Release, Monday, May 15, 2006

 Southeastern St. Tammany Final Pass Moved to May 30th

Parish President Kevin Davis announced this morning that the final hurricane debris pass for the unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish in the zip codes of 70445, 70460, 70458 and 70461 has been extended until May 30^th.  “We are moving from northwest to southeast St. Tammany,” said Davis.  “I have asked our debris hauler to give the citizens in the hard-hit southeastern area of the parish a little more time to get their debris to the street.”

After the final pass, it will be the homeowner’s responsibility to pay for the cutting and removal of hurricane damaged vegetation as well as construction and demolition debris.  Therefore, it is essential that residents have all debris moved to the right-of-way for pick up before the final pass begins.  Only eligible debris will be picked up in the final pass. 

According to the Code of Federal Regulations, 44 Sub-Part H, 206.224 Debris Removal, removal of storm generated debris is in the public interest when it is necessary to:

1.      Eliminate immediate threats to life, public health, and safety; or

2.      Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property.

Private and/or commercial property that is unimproved or is used for crops and livestock is not eligible for reimbursement under this debris removal program and is the owner’s responsibility.  Land clearing operations and/or property development or any other operation that generates debris not related to the storm is the responsibility of the land owner, developer and/or contractor as it pertains to disposal.  This type of debris should not be pushed to the Right-Of-Way (ROW) which may create a health and safety hazard and the owner/developer/contractor should review and adhere to the parish ordinance as it pertains to non-storm generated debris disposal. Debris generated from these ineligible locations and placed at the ROW is considered a manmade hazard and becomes the liability of the property owner and/or contractor.

Property owners are asked to follow the above regulations when putting debris out for pick up in St. Tammany Parish.  Debris pick up is only for storm debris, not for land clearing, new construction, garage cleaning or other uses.  FEMA will only pick up storm debris.  Other debris must be removed by the property owner. 

     Debris from homes that have been gutted by the property owner or volunteer groups is considered eligible debris if it does not contain asbestos.  If the debris contains asbestos, call the EPA/DEQ at 1-800-401-1327.