PRESS RELEASE DETAIL
For release: IMMEDIATELY
Release Date: 10/06/2016
EBR debris removal efforts officially move into second phase of operations
Oct. 6, 2016
For release: IMMEDIATELY
For more information, contact:
Adam Smith, Department of Environmental Services:
(225) 389-4865
Susan Boudreaux, Mayor’s Office: (225) 389-5101
Michelle McCalope, Mayor’s Office: (225) 389-7957
This morning, Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden announced the City-Parish’s debris removal operations have officially moved into their second phase, with a first parish-wide collection pass now complete and crews already in the process of moving back into impacted areas to conduct additional flood debris collection passes.
“As of this morning, our debris removal teams have collected more than 1.5 million cubic yards of flood debris in just over six weeks – an astounding number and one that points to the tremendous devastation our residents have experienced following the recent flooding,” said Mayor Holden. “That said, we know that there is much more to be collected and our crews are working hard to do just that. For those who we may have missed during our first pass, please know that we’re on our way back to each of your neighborhoods and homes – or for those who haven’t been able to move your flood-related debris curbside yet, please do so as quickly as you can, and we’ll be there soon to pick it up.”
The City-Parish’s latest estimates indicate a total of 1.8 to 2.0 million cubic yards will be collected as part of this debris removal effort, with current collection totals suggesting more than 75 percent of flood-related debris having already been collected through first collection pass efforts. As part of this next phase of operations, debris removal trucks and monitors will be working through impacted areas as quickly as possible to both identify and collect any remaining flood debris homeowners may have moved curbside. These multiple pass efforts will continue until all flood-related debris has been collected from residential properties located in the City of Baton Rouge and unincorporated areas of East Baton Rouge Parish.
Residents are able to track the progress of this next phase of the City-Parish’s debris removal efforts online, where the Department of Information Services – GIS Division has worked with City-Parish debris monitors to establish a web-based, interactive map identifying areas where debris is picked up during this second phase of operations. This map, which is updated daily, can be accessed by clicking the following link: http://gis.brla.gov/debris
Additionally, Mayor Holden is urging residents in need of extended curbside debris collection services to apply for the City-Parish’s Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program as soon as possible, which allows debris removal crews to enter a resident’s private property – up to 30 feet from the public right-of-way – to collect flood debris, provided the City-Parish has received a signed Right-of-Entry (ROE) agreement from the homeowner. The deadline to apply for this program is Friday, October 7th.
Residents interested in applying for this program and these extended curbside flood-related debris removal services can do so online by downloading an ROE form – located at www.brgov.com/roe – and emailing their completed ROE form along with a valid Louisiana ID or driver’s license to BRdebris@thompsoncs.net, or in-person by visiting one of the active PPDR intake centers below prior to the Friday deadline and during the listed hours of operation:
• PPDR Primary Application Center – Cypress Building, 10201 Celtic Drive, Suite B
Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Jones Creek Branch Library – 6222 Jones Creek Road
Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fairwood Branch Library – 12910 Old Hammond Highway
Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information on the PPDR program, or with any debris-related questions, concerns, requests, or feedback, please contact 1-888-721-4372.