Sign Up Before Oct. 16th for Hazardous Debris Removal

You can donate directly to the McKenzie CDC above who will direct funds to recovery efforts in the McKenzie River valley. Use the Paypal Donate button above to help support the residents of the valley so badly scarred by the Holiday Farm Fire.

 

---

Today Lane County have opened up a scheme allowing fire damaged property owners to OPT IN to a state and federally funded program to have Environmental Protection Agency crews remove household hazardous waste from fire-affected properties at no cost to the property owner.

If you have potentially dangerous fire debris on your property we strongly advise that you DO NOT try to clean up your property now and instead register for this process to save yourself thousands of dollars in costs, potetial health issues and possible fines or prosecution for the improper disposal of hazerdous materials. Please see our recent post here that extensivly details the issues involved in tackling your own clean up as well as the dangers to yourself and your family.

See the drop-down section titled “Right of Entry for Cleanup” on the Lane County website here to learn more and sign up.

We have copied the relevant content and links to the OPT IN form below.

 

---

Lane County Statement: 5 Oct. 2020

Source: lanecounty.org

Before residents can rebuild, property must be cleared of household hazardous waste or other hazardous substances.

Property owners can OPT IN for hazardous waste removal and debris removal services at no cost to them (insurance may be billed if applicable).

Property owners need to sign an access agreement, called a Right of Entry form, by Oct. 16 to allow crews to clean up hazardous waste or to clean up debris on their property.

YOU CAN FILL OUT THE FORM ONLINE HERE

 

You can view the forms online before filling out the electronic version above. View the form that would allow hazardous waste cleanup and debris cleanup. View the form that would allow hazardous waste cleanup only.

**If you cannot complete the online form, we are working to provide hard copies with return instructions. Please check back for updates.**

Removing fire debris is a two-step cleanup process.

• Step 1 is clearing properties of household hazardous waste to minimize exposure of hazardous materials to the public.Step 1 is being offered at no cost to property owners (although insurance may be billed if applicable). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will assess and remove household hazardous waste from burned properties. This work will be funded by FEMA and the State of Oregon.
• Step 2 is removal of ash, debris and burned-out structures. State, county, and federal partners are actively working to develop options for ash and debris removal.

Crews that specialize in identifying and removing hazardous substances will visit affected properties, determine what hazardous materials need to be removed, and remove them for safe disposal.

Commercial or industrial properties are included in hazardous waste and debris removal efforts

If you choose to clean up hazardous materials, it will be at your own cost. Removal of household hazardous waste and debris can be an expensive process, costing as much as $75,000. Even with insurance, a majority of the cost may not be covered. The state and federal government is committed to paying for removal of household hazardous waste, which means that property owners can reserve their insurance funds for other recovery efforts.

Household hazardous waste removal timeline (approximate):

• Property owners are asked to sign the property access agreement by October 16.
• Boots-on-the-ground teams – October 20-22
• Clean up complete by December 31

Ash and debris removal (Step 2) will begin after household hazardous waste removal (Step 1) is complete.

QUESTIONS? Please call 458-239-2826 or email roeforms@lanecounty-eoc.net.

IMPORTANT: Lane County’s McKenzie Bridge transfer station can accept normal garbage and recycling, including spoiled food. It cannot accept ash or bulk debris from burnt structures. Oregon DEQ presumes ash from burnt structures to contain asbestos if the structure was built before 2004. Landfills and transfer stations in Oregon are prohibited from accepting bulk deliveries of presumed asbestos-containing material. Contact Lane Regional Air Protection Agency for information about asbestos: 541-736-1056.