PA DEP Takes Action to Expedite Processing, Disposal of Flood, Storm Debris

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced today that it has taken multiple steps to expedite the cleanup of flood- and storm-related debris.

The requirement for a waste hauler to display an authorized Act 90 sticker on the hauling vehicle has been temporarily waived statewide to allow facility operators to accept flood and storm debris waste from vehicles without Act 90 authorizations. Act 90 requirements are still in effect for vehicles hauling other municipal or residual waste.

"One of our top priorities is to properly remove and dispose of the debris left behind in our communities by the recent flooding and storms," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "Our staff is working to ensure that this can happen as swiftly and efficiently as possible through waiving Act 90 requirements, waiving state tipping fees, extending operational hours at waste management facilities, authorizing waste staging areas and increasing the daily volume of waste that these facilities can receive."

The waivers will be effective for the 90-day duration of the Proclamation of Emergency Gov. Corbett declared Aug. 26.

At the request of a municipal waste processing or disposal facility, including landfills, resource recovery facilities and transfer facilities, DEP may temporarily authorize the extension of operating hours and increases to daily volume of waste that may be received, processed or disposed of at the facility to expedite the disposal of flood- and storm-related debris. To reduce the financial burden on home owners and municipalities during this disaster recovery period, DEP has waived the commonwealth tipping fees associated with the processing or disposal of flood- and storm-related debris. For all other municipal or residual waste that is received, processed or disposed of at the facility, these fees continue to apply, as do the facility's and host municipality's fees.

DEP suggests that items such as propane tanks, refrigerators, heating oil tanks, electronic equipment, tires, gasoline or paints be separated and stored in a safe, dry location where practical for separate collection in the future. This will allow haulers to remove the most problematic flood-soaked debris and waste.

At the request of a municipality or a waste facility operator, DEP may also approve temporary waste aggregation and staging areas to allow waste to be accumulated and consolidated for transportation to waste transfer and disposal facilities. This will allow municipalities and haulers to concentrate efforts toward the removal of the most problematic flood-soaked debris and waste.

Facility operators may accept flood- and storm-related debris from counties that have not designated that processing or disposal facility in their County Plan. Facility owners and operators are encouraged to coordinate their proposed emergency response action with their host municipality and county.

Records must be maintained by the facility operator, including the amount of flood- and storm-related debris accepted and the difference between the flood and storm debris compared with other wastes that the facility accepts. Operators should continue to report wastes other than flood and storm debris in the usual manner.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us or call 717-783-7753.

Media contact: Katy Gresh, 412-298-7538 (cell)

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection