Debris Management

AshBritt > Debris Management

Debris Management

AshBritt is well-versed in all aspects of debris management operations. This encompasses emergency push operations for critical facility and priority route clearance; right-of-way debris collection; curbside segregation; DMS reduction, recycling and final disposal; permitting; DMS site closeout; and final reconciliation and auditing. AshBritt understands that operations with the client must be conducted in a symbiotic manner with full transparency.

Emergency Road Clearance (Push Operations)

AshBritt will mobilize an established management team and necessary resources immediately to initiate and conduct, under a supplied plan, emergency road clearance of debris (“first push”) from pre-specified primary transportation routes as soon as it is safe to enter work zones (generally, within 6 to 12 hours or sooner). Street clearance is accomplished by removing large debris from public roads, complexes and stacking it on public rights-of-way (ROW). Generally, debris will not be collected during this stage, though under extraordinary circumstances debris removal may be conducted. AshBritt immediately determines the scope of work required, activate sufficient resources, and mobilize manpower and equipment. The primary goal here is to create immediate safe passage for emergency response vehicles and equipment. Mechanized rubber-tired lifting and pushing equipment and specialized ground labor with chainsaws and other hand tools are used to complete this phase of work. Estimates from the initial damage survey will determine the required response necessary to facilitate a rapid recovery.

Right of Way (ROW) Debris Collection

Our prime task for our jurisdictions in a disaster will be debris collection and removal from the public right-of-ways and other public property. AshBritt will begin mobilizing personnel, materials, and equipment to or near the geographic area in a coordinated effort with the jurisdiction as soon as a disaster event is deemed imminent in order to respond within a timely manner of the NTP.

The initial damage assessment typically determines the areas with the greatest needs. We prioritize our crew assignments around these needs. We will conduct strategic meetings with the jurisdiction and all collection crews prior to dispatch. The jurisdiction is notified continually of all progress, and any special requests they may have are swiftly and appropriately addressed. Generally, all disaster generated debris on public property and public rights-of-way, including debris placed on rights-of-way by residents, is eligible for collection. Ultimately, however, the jurisdiction and/or FEMA will determine debris eligibility on the project. Given the typical diverse make-up of a debris stream, vegetative debris is segregated from non-eligible and eligible debris to the best extent possible at the loading site. Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris, mixed debris, and other non-hazardous debris is separated further at the disposal site.

Curbside Segregation

Curbside segregation of debris is required prior to debris removal when not previously accomplished by property owners. Typical segregation categories include household garbage, construction debris, vegetative debris, household hazardous wastes, white goods, and electronics. The crew composition for AshBritt’s response team has been developed through years of experience and assessment. The typical crew composition offers the highest degree of professionalism, safety, and efficiency available in the disaster response services industry. The typical Debris Segregation Crew (DSC) and equipment is comprised of: 1 Supervisor (with proper safety gear), 3 Laborers (with proper safety gear), 1 Skid Steer Loader with grapple (rubber tired).

Debris Management Site Operations

The topography and soil/substrate conditions should be evaluated to determine best DMS site layout. When planning site preparation, AshBritt think of ways to make restoration easier. For example, if the local soils are very thin, the topsoil can be scraped to bedrock and stockpiled in perimeter berms. Upon site closeout, the uncontaminated soil can be spread to preserve the integrity of the tillable soils. AshBritt will use our DMS site baseline data checklist before operations begin and use those during and after to ensure that site conditions are properly documented. AshBritt holds maintaining and restoring the natural environment to the same condition at which time it was utilized to one of the highest priorities.

AshBritt conducts the following reduction operations for the respective debris streams:

  • Vegetative (grinding or burning)
    Trees, logs, limbs, brush, and stumps
  • C&D (separate metals and HHW. Reduce through sorting, separation and compaction)
    Lumber, roofing materials, structural steel, siding, drywall, carpets, furnishings
  • Household Hazardous Waste (separate from debris stream and segregate in containment area)
    Paint, propane, bleach, pesticides, fertilizers, aerosol cans
  • Mixed (separate vegetative, C&D and HHW then reduce as indicated above)
    Commingled debris of all types

DMS Site Closeout

AshBritt will coordinate the following closeout steps with each jurisdiction to comply with all local, state, and federal regulations:

  • Coordinate with local and State officials responsible for construction, real estate, contracting, project management, and legal counsel regarding requirements and support for implementation of a site remediation plan.
  • Establish an independent testing and monitoring program. AshBritt is responsible for environmental restoration of both public and leased sites. AshBritt will also remove all debris from sites for final disposal at landfills prior to closure.
  • Reference appropriate and applicable environmental regulations.
  • Prioritize site closures.
  • Schedule closeout activities.
  • Determine separate protocols for ash, soil and water testing.
  • Develop decision criteria for certifying satisfactory closure based on limited baseline information.
  • Develop administrative procedures and contractual arrangements for closure phase.
  • Inform local and State environmental agencies regarding acceptability of program and established requirements.
  • Designate approving authority to review and evaluate AshBritt closure activities and progress.
  • Retain staff during closure phase to develop site-specific remediation for sites, as needed, based on information obtained from the closure checklist shown below.

AshBritt assures that any jurisdiction in which we operate a DMS it will be properly remediated. There will be significant costs associated with this operation as well as close scrutiny by the local press and environmental groups. Site remediation will go smoothly if baseline data collection and site operation procedures are followed. AshBritt has operated more than 50 DMS sites at one time and is able to consider all environmental factors that may be affected by the project.

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AshBritt is committed to working with small and minority owned businesses.