- The following is a Government of Alberta public document subtitled Municipal and First Nation Enhanced Debris Management Plan. An annex to this plan ("What to do after flooding") has been published separately (click here).
July 3, 201
Situation
1. Starting the morning of Wednesday 19 June, a slow moving intense low pressure system brought 80 to 275 mm of precipitation, with localized amounts up to 325 mm along the mountains and foothills from Edson to Waterton Park. This resulted in multiple serious flooding events across Southern Alberta. The Government of Alberta has declared a Provincial State of Emergency in the Town of High River at the request of the Mayor of High River. Key federal and provincial departments remain active in coordination efforts. Emergency Operations Centre’s throughout the province continue to be activated as they turn their efforts into the recovery and remediation stage.
2. The Government of Alberta has developed Enhanced Debris Management Plan (EDMP) template to help the municipalities and First Nations to coordinate debris removal operations. Typically, the debris removal recovery phase begins after the emergency access routes are cleared and police, firefighters, and other first responders have the necessary access.
3. The Government of Alberta has contracted West Coast Reductions, a rendering company, to collect cattle, horses and swine carcasses killed by the June 20 – June 27 flooding event. There is no charge for this service. Farmers, acreage owners, municipalities and First Nations impacted by the recent floods in Southern Alberta are eligible for livestock carcass removal. For further information see this link: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/com14483
4. This plan also includes an annex on “what to do after flooding” adapted from ESRD specifically for the affected residents.
Objective
5. To provide strategic framework for debris removal which entails moving debris, reducing debris and/or disposing of debris to temporary storage or permanent sites identified throughout the municipality or First Nation).
Strategy
6. The EDMP assist municipality or First Nation to develop a strategic framework for debris
removal within their jurisdiction and also provide information to residents on what to do after returning to their homes.
Scope
7. The procedures contained herein should be implemented under the authority of the Municipal and First Nation Emergency Plan.
Assumption
8. The amount of debris resulting from an event or disaster could exceed the local government’s ability to dispose of it.
9. Private contractors will play a significant role in the debris removal, collection, reduction and disposal process.
Priorities:
In keeping with response goals and life safety priorities the EDMP has identified 5 priority
activities:
a) Life Safety of First Responders and the Public
Life safety is the first priority. In the interest of preserving life, municipalities and First Nations will make every effort to clear the routes required for emergency responders to access critical areas and facilities needed to reduce injury and suffering of the public.
b) Disaster Response Routes
If Disaster Response Routes have been identified in the existing municipality or First Nation emergency plan, those routes should be the first priority in the clearing of routes unless otherwise directed by the EOC. Every effort will be made to clear debris from Disaster Response Routes. In the short term, debris will be pushed to the sides of the route to be sorted and transported at a later date. Appendix 1 provides a list of debris which should be ranked in priority of removal or disposal
c) Debris Damaging to Property and Infrastructure
Where debris jeopardizes property and infrastructure, every reasonable effort will be made to render it safe.
d) Damage to the Environment
Where debris presents a risk to further damage of the environment, every reasonable effort will be made to reduce environmental impact and long-term consequences.
e) Business Interruption
Where debris may increase economic or social loss, every reasonable effort will be made to reduce the loss and ensure business continuation.
The following additional factors should be taken into account when determining priorities:
a) Urgency of site clearance (e.g., critical facilities)
b) Amount of debris generated
c) Type of debris
d) Disaster site characteristics
e) Debris recycling possibilities
f) Geographic complications
Debris Management Actions
10. During Response
a) Activate debris management plan, coordinate with needs assessment team.
b) Begin documenting costs.
c) Coordinate and track resources (public and private).
d) Establish priorities regarding allocation and use of available resources.
e) Identify and establish debris temporary storage and disposal sites (local, regional).
f) Address any legal, environmental, and health issues relating to the debris removal process.
g) Continue to keep public informed through the PIO.
11. Recovery
a) Continue to collect, store, reduce, and dispose of debris generated from the event in a Cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
b) Continue to document costs.
c) Upon completion of debris removal mission, close out debris storage and reduction sites by developing and implementing the necessary site restoration actions.
Communication Plan:
a) Effective communications strategy informing residents of disposal locations, times, what is and is not accepted.
b) Consider waste prevention activities before entering home / beginning clean up (see annex A for details).
c) Seek professional help to handle potentially harmful wastes / disposal. d) Some wastes are recyclable and identify disposal areas.
e) Landfill fee / rates apply.
Site Selection Priorities
a) Determine the number of Temporary Debris Storage and Reduction (TDSR) sites and location of these sites for the collection and processing of debris.
b) Prioritize which sites will be opened based on the amount of debris estimated.
- First Priority: Pre-determined TDSR sites
- Second Priority: Public property within the damaged area
- Last Priority: Private property
Temporary Storage or Disposal Sites
Temporary storage sites may be established for operational (i.e., municipal/First
Nation/contractor) use, and also for public use. It is advisable to keep operational and public sites separate.
Temporary storage and recycling sites may include the following:
• Recycling facilities
• Local landfill
• Transfer stations
• Vacant lots
• Public works facilities
• Parks (developed or undeveloped)
• Parking lots
• Rights-of-way
• Municipal/First Nation property
• Private property
• Recreational facilities (sports fields)
Any or all of these potential sites should be selected relative to the needs of the
town/municipality/First Nation.
Criteria for consideration when selecting temporary site should include:
• Assess in/out
• Security
• Adjacent above-ground structures (i.e. unstable buildings)
• Below ground infrastructure (i.e. are there broken water mains below)
• Proximity to water-ways or other environmental concerns.
Disaster debris (regular/hazardous) may be collected or temporarily stored using any combination of the following:• Municipal/First Nation refuse containers
• Municipal/First Nation roll-off bins
• Private contractor roll-off bins.
Public access containers or roll-off bins may be assigned to individual garbage collection zones as required.
Regular Garbage Collection
After life safety issues have been met, all efforts will be made to resume regular garbage collection. If possible, the Garbage and Recycling Calendar will continue to be used for regular garbage collection. If regular service cannot be resumed due to restricted road access, collection of municipal/town/First Nation refuse may be organized at accessible points. Residents can then drop off regular garbage at these sites. Refuse containers will be emptied regularly as required.
Residents could be required to separate debris into a few basic categories such as: wood, metal, brick, drywall, dirt and concrete. Potential markets for this type of waste may make it economical to recycle. This would allow clean materials to then be transported to source separated recycling facilities. The remaining debris would be directed to mixed debris recycling facilities.
Recycling coordinator
A (temporary) recycling coordinator may be appointed during the emergency to manage administrative and field operations. This coordinator could provide oversight to ensure the planned recycling efforts are being implemented. Assuming that the volume of debris will overwhelm existing municipal/First Nation collection systems, contractors selected to collect curbside recycling and demolition debris will be given specific instructions by the town/municipality/First Nation as per the needs of the disaster.
“Co-Mingled,” “Decomposable” and Landfill Wastes
Debris that has been rapidly scooped off roads may not have been sorted and thus may be mixed, or “co-mingled.” It will still need to be sorted and categorized, either at the storage or disposal site. Debris may also be described as “inert” or “not inert,” meaning that it may rot and therefore must be dealt with as soon as possible.
Note that materials accepted for disposal should be for landfilling purposes only. Loads should be monitored to ensure that materials meet specifications and are not recyclable.
Recycling Facilities
Recycling Facilities
a) Facilities for Recycling Source-Separated Materials
To decrease hauling costs, recycling facilities should be selected and created in close proximity to the hardest-hit areas of the municipality/First Nation (i.e., where debris has been created). The separated debris placed at curbside by residents and demolition debris should be directed to these facilities.
To decrease hauling costs, recycling facilities should be selected and created in close proximity to the hardest-hit areas of the municipality/First Nation (i.e., where debris has been created). The separated debris placed at curbside by residents and demolition debris should be directed to these facilities.
b) Facilities for Sorting Mixed Wastes
Potential sites for sorting mixes wastes include:- Recycling Depots
- Sports facilities
- Parks
- Undeveloped Park Sites
- Vacant lots
- Privately-owned Recycling Facilities
Types of debris Collection
a) Curbside Collection
Curbside collection parallels an applicant’s normal garbage and trash collection operations. Debris
is placed at the curb or public rights-of-way by the residents for the applicant’s collection. The
only difference between the subcategories discussed below is the separation of the types of debris
at the point of collection.
- Mixed Debris Collection
- Source-Segregated Debris Collection
b) Collection Centers
This type of collection method is to have the residents transport their debris to a common
location. Large roll-off bins may be placed on public rights-of-way or public property for the
residents to bring their debris for collection.
Four Phases of Disaster Debris Removal
While working within the priority framework identified above, activities within the Debris Removal
work plan will fall within these 4 phases:
Debris Removal Phases Phase I: Assessments and public safety
- Consists of the clearance of the debris that hinders immediate life saving actions being taken within the disaster area and the clearance of that debris which poses an immediate threat to public health and safety.
- Scene/Debris assessment
Phase II: Clearance of
Consist of the removal and disposal of that debris which is determined necessary to ensure the orderly recovery of the community and to eliminate less immediate threats to public
health and safety.
Clearing emergency access routes where safe to do so. If not safe to do so, determine alternate routes.
Roadway debris is moved to the side of the road to open access routes into devastated areas.
Clear key access routes to allow for the following:
- Movement of emergency vehicles
- Law enforcement
- Resumption of critical services,
- Damage assessment of critical public facilities and utilities.
Phase III: Removal of Dangerous Debris from Critical Infrastructure
During the emergency opening of key routes, mixed debris is pushed to the shoulders of the roadway,
along the public right-of-way. Actions required for removal of debris:
- develop initial assessment of debris type and magnitude and identify any safety issues
- Coordinate, through the EOC, contracted work force to remove debris
- Coordinate, through the EOC, with Police to ensure that traffic control measures to expedite debris removal activities.
Phase IV: Removal of All Other Debris to the landfill or temporary storage sites
- collect it, dispose and / or transport it to waste sites facilities
- Inform residents about debris management strategy and facility management the procedures.
ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead Departments
a. Identify each department that has debris clearing, removal or disposal actions. b. ·Define
their responsibilities in detail.
Supporting Agencies
c. Identify each department that has debris clearing, removal or disposal actions. d. Define their
responsibilities in detail.
Debris Types / Classification and Disposal options
1. Household ( furniture, food-biohazards and appliances (major / minor)
- Metal furniture can be cleaned and disinfected, but wood and upholstered furniture generally
must be replaced
- If the furniture has been in contact with floodwater that has been contaminated with sewage it
must be replaced
- Gas appliances must be certified by a licensed gasfitter before being turned on
- All electrical appliances that were in contact with floodwaters should be certified by a
licensed electrician before use
- Appliances with foam insulation, such as ovens, refrigerators, and freezers that were
submerged in floodwater, may have to be discarded because they cannot be disinfected
2. Constructions / demolition waste
- Includes concrete, asphalt, brick, wood, and drywall.
- Concrete, asphalt, and masonry products can be crushed and used as base material for certain
road construction products or as a trench backfill. Debris targeted for base materials needs to
meet certain size specifications as determined by the end user.
3. Trees, branches, plants, vegetation, and farmyard vegetation
- Chipping
Disposal of chips required after completion. Can be used for trail cover etc, or paper mills. Will require industrial woodchipper and transport of chips after completion
- Burning (Piles or Chips)
Controlled burning of chips or woodpiles. Will require burning permit and all necessary fire
safety in accordance with ESRD regulations
- Composting
Natural controlled decay into re-useable fertilizer product. Requires covered rot- resistant
composting bin on an impervious pad
4. Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI)
- All Industrial, Commercial, and Industrial waste and debris will be disposed of in accordance
with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development regulations available here:
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/570.cfm
5. Decaying Garbage (decaying garbage is all perishable foodstuffs, all cosmetics and medications that were in contact with floodwater, and all dry goods that were in contact with floodwater. Protective clothing must be worn)
- All decaying garbage MUST be disposed of immediately.
- Throw out boxed foods, fresh vegetables and fruit, bottled drinks and home preserves.
- Throw out all perishable foods that have been at temperatures above 4°C for more than 2 hours
such as, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
- Throw out canned goods if there is a damaged seal, bloated can, or the contents show signs
of seepage. Open cans in good condition only after taking off the label, thoroughly washing the can
in warm soapy water, and putting it into a sanitizing mixture. A sanitizing mixture can
be made by mixing 40 mL of household bleach in 1 litre of water (5 ounces or 10 tablespoons
of 5 to 6 per cent household bleach to 1 gallon of water. Remember to clearly mark the contents on
the container if it will not be used right away.
- Wash with warm soapy water and then sanitize all contaminated utensils, dishes and food
contact surfaces, such as drawers, shelves, cutting boards and countertops.
- Decaying garbage should be placed into garbage bags, sealed, removed from the building and be
taken immediately to a landfill or stored in a garbage can with a tight lid until it can be
taken to a landfill
6. Non-hazardous garbage
- Most non-hazardous garbage and Construction / Demolition waste can be recycled
- If household non-hazardous garbage has not been exposed to floodwater, it should be recycled
in accordance with the municipal/First Nation recycling program (if any)
- If Construction / Demolition waste has not been exposed to floodwater, it should be collected
and recycled
7. Hazardous Industrial Waste
- All Industrial, Commercial, and Industrial waste and debris will be disposed of in accordance
with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development regulations.
- Hazardous materials such as paint cans, car batteries, oil drums, oil and grease containers,
solvents, pesticide containers, acids, asbestos, bio-wastes, and other hazardous materials will be
isolated from the debris and stockpiled for subsequent disposal in accordance with regulations.
8. Soil Disposal
Remove soil, mud and silt from flooded homes and properties and stock pile in a secure stable location far removed from any water bodies. Soil should be tested following the Waste Control Guidelines. If tests show soil is within the guidelines it can be disposed of at the landfill. Or if free of contaminants redistributed
9. Dead animals (Provincial government offers assistance for Livestock Carcass disposal- follow
a) Incineration
Complete incineration of carcass, including bones. Requires commercial incinerators; ‘burn barrels’
not an option
b) Burial
Pit burial with 1m of compacted soil OR 0.15m of soil, 0.5kg of quicklime for every 10kg of carcass
and a lid. Cannot be done in high groundwater areas, and no more than 2500 kg / pit
c) Rendering
Transport to commercial rendering facilities for conversion to other products
d) Composting
Natural controlled decay into re-useable fertilizer product. Requires covered rot-resistant
composting bin on an impervious pad
Special Wastes Mixed in with Disaster Debris
Some waste materials or other matter mixed in with disaster debris may require special treatment in
terms of sorting or disposal. Following is a brief description of special wastes and the
agency(ies) responsible for dealing with them.
a) Hospital Wastes
The Health Region having jurisdiction will identify appropriate disposal options for hospital-
generated wastes.
b) Human Remains
The Provincial Coroner’s Office is responsible for human remains (whether whole or parts of
bodies).The Police Services having jurisdiction is responsible for all missing persons and assists
the Coroner’s Office. The Coroner’s Office has a mass casualty plan.
Note that disaster debris sites containing human remains may require additional security services
to prevent concerned family members from trying to access the site. Access to, and management of,
human remains in a disaster debris site also requires significantly more careful considerations out
of respect to the dead or injured and their families.
c) Animals and Animal Wastes
Carcasses of small animals, wildlife, etc., will be directed to the SPCA incinerator for disposal
in accordance with regulations. Veterinary Officers from Agriculture Canada will stipulate
requirements for disposal of large numbers of animal carcasses and farm animal debris.
d) Other Options – Disposal at Sea
In certain extenuating circumstances, disaster debris may be disposed of at sea or in a marine
environment. Responsibility for determining the possibility or authority for this option resides
with Environment Canada. Concrete is one example of a substance that can be disposed of in the
ocean and/or used for rip-rap or dyking. Disposal at sea requires coordination with
municipalities/First Nations to identify locations where barges can dock and load debris for ocean
disposal.
IMPORTANT:- During large disaster there is long line up of vehicles waiting to get into the Land fill, so expect long traffic waits and be patient.
IMPORTANT:- During large disaster there is long line up of vehicles waiting to get into the Land fill, so expect long traffic waits and be patient.
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