Removal of debris from front yards and along right of ways has begun in Orange County. The process is slow because of several different factors. A factor effecting the removal of debris is if the debris is located on a private roadway. Debris haulers are not allowed to drive their vehicles on private property.
County Code Enforcement Director Joel Ardoin indicated the county is working to make it possible for the debris haulers to access the debris along private roads. What is needed is a Private Property Debris Removal plan. Ardoin informed that the Commissioners Court needs to approve it to allow the debris to be picked up from private roads or right of way that is not adjacent to the property on a case by case basis.
The county will need to then get it in writing from FEMA that the agency has approved the plan. Ardoin explained, “The Court will vote just on the plan and then they will get with FEMA on an individual basis to do the cleanups.”
County Emergency Management Coordinator Missy Pillsbury will work with Ardoin to prepare the Private Property Debris Removal plan. They are expected to have it ready by the first Commissioners Court meeting in October.
County Judge Brint Carlton said the debris haulers need to be able to get to the debris before they can haul it off, and he emphasized there is no preference to whose debris gets picked up first.
Debris in the yard and vehicles that were flooded in the street or driveways are making it difficult for citizens to get to their homes to clean them out while also making it hard for debris haulers to get into certain neighborhoods. Carlton insists that no one is getting the debris removed from their property before another because of any special status of employment or position in county government.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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