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2017 CONFERENCE TECHNICAL SESSION STATEWIDE By R. Ashby Barnes
Disaster Debris Management Plan
History of Disaster Debris guidance, and standardized guidelines important that all departments know that
Management Plan for the clearance, removal, waste a DDMP is in place. Communication
reduction and disposal of debris caused of the DDMP is key to successful
The Tennessee Solid Waste Management by a major debris generating event. implementation of the plan during
Planning and Recovery Act [T.C.A. § • Establish the most efficient and cost an emergency and should take place
68-211-6] was adopted in 1989. This Act effective methods to resolve disaster throughout the year.
provided authority for the Tennessee debris removal, waste reduction and • Local Jurisdiction(s) responsibilities
Department of Environment and disposal issues.
Conservation to develop a comprehensive • Implement and coordinate private include but are not limited to:
statewide solid waste plan, and to sector debris removal, waste reduction - Identify pre-designated Debris
require Municipal Solid Waste Regions and disposal contracts to maximize
to also develop plans that support the cleanup efficiencies. Management Sites (DMS).
state plan. A subsequent act, the Solid • Expedite debris removal, waste - Conduct site preparation.
Waste Management Act of 1991 and its reduction and disposal efforts that - Remove debris from public rights-of-
Amendments [T.C.A. § 68-211-8] was provide visible signs of recovery
enacted to reduce the volume of municipal designed to mitigate the threat to the way.
solid waste being disposed in Class I health, safety, and welfare of residents. - Provide information about and
(sanitary) landfills. One of the provisions of • Coordinate partnering relationships
T.C.A. § 68-211-8 requires Municipal Solid through communications and pre- facilitate debris reduction methods.
Waste Regions to have a plan for managing planning with local, State, and Federal - Provide administration and logistics
solid waste generated as a result of disasters agencies that have debris management
or emergencies. Following the development responsibilities. services.
the 2015 - 2025 Solid Waste and Materials Not having a plan in place has cost • State of Tennessee Agencies
Management Plan (the 2025 Plan), TDEC Tennessee local governments millions
created a debris removal template to assist of dollars and increased the amount of - TDOT’s responsibilities include but
counties in revising their emergency material that was disposed of in Class I are not limited to:
management plan and incorporate landfills, potentially affecting the Region’s » Remove debris on state maintained
debris management. This debris removal ability to meet their 25 percent waste roads and in the state right-of-way.
planning tool was created in June 2016 reduction and diversion goal because the » Maintain state park roads.
in partnership with the Tennessee debris was sent to the Class I landfills » Coordinate with FEMA Emergency
Department of Transportation, Tennessee rather than diverted to Class III/IV Support Function #3 - Public
Department of Agriculture, and Tennessee landfills or beneficial end use. Works & Engineering for debris
Emergency Management Agency. In The Statute only requires that Regions removal operations on state
the summer of 2016 TEMA reviewed have a DDMP based upon the FEMA maintained roads and in the state
the 2025 Plan and contacted TDEC to 325 Public Assistance Program. The plan rights-of-way.
propose a partnership. The partnership does not have to be approved by FEMA,
would develop an overall planning tool although TDEC strongly recommends - TEMA responsibilities include but are
that would assist local governments plan that the plan be approved by FEMA. The not limited to:
for and manage disasters. Through a template makes it easier for the counties » Prepare a Tennessee Emergency
series of meetings and communications to develop a plan, and have it formatted Management Plan which includes
with TEMA, TDOT, and Tennessee in such a way to get FEMA approval. post-disaster response and
Department of Agriculture planners, the Entities that implement a FEMA approved recovery component that includes
State of Tennessee developed a document plan benefit from an additional 2 percent management and disposal of debris
to complement the 2025 Plan and follows federal share on debris removal expenses generated from an event.
the checklist format that FEMA requires. following a Presidential declared disaster. » Provide for assessment teams.
The template has recently been finalized; » Coordinate federal, state, and local
TEMA and TDEC will be making an Key content/sections emergency management activities
announcement when TEMA shares the and take all other steps, including
template with its Tennessee Regions. Responsibilities as they relate to debris the partial or full mobilization of
removal emergency management forces
Goal of having a DDMP and organizations in advance of
In addition to their duties in a disaster an actual emergency, to ensure the
The purpose of this planning tool is debris cleanup, it is important that the availability of adequately trained
to unify the efforts of public and private county Executive’s office, the county and equipped forces of emergency
organizations for a comprehensive and Emergency Management Agency, and the management personnel before,
effective approach to: county Solid Waste Director communicate during, and after emergencies and
• Provide organizational structure, key roles and responsibilities. It is disasters.
- TDEC responsibilities include but are
not limited to:
» Advise state and local officials on
proper management of disaster
debris.
12 TPW November/December 2017
