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Debris specialists like the Federal Emergency
Management Administration (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USCOE) oversee and monitor removal
operations during natural disasters. Debris removal is a
FEMA public assistance program. The actual removal,
storage and disposal of debris is performed by local
governments or by contractors selected by those
governmental entities. Debris removal from private
property is not eligible for FEMA assistance.
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The Division of Emergency Management works to reduce
or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property
from disasters. Assistance for recovery from disasters
is provided through the federal infrastructure
assistance, human services assistance, and the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program. These programs help to rebuild
lives and communities that have been impacted by a major
disaster, and to reduce the impact of future disasters
through mitigation.
For more information, visit
http://floridadisaster.org
or call (800) 342-3557.
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Debris constituting an immediate threat to public
health and safety and removed by the responsible local
entity may be eligible for funding under the FEMA Public
Assistance program.
For more information visit,
http://www.fema.gov/regions/iv/
or call (770) 220-5200.
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The
U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers
is responsible for removing debris from federally
designated, navigable channels and turning basins.
Examples include the following: Removal of debris or
shoaling to restore channels and turning basins to
authorized and permitted conditions, removal of wrecked
vessels or waterborne debris deemed to be a navigation
hazard. Local governments requesting assistance should
contact their USCOE District Office (see below).
- Jacksonville District: (904) 232-3600
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/
(Covers counties east of the Aucilla River,
excluding the St. Mary’s River watershed. See map of
district boundaries.)
- Mobile District: (251) 690-2570
http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/
(Covers all counties west of the Aucilla River. See
map
of district boundaries.)
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During natural disaster events, the Florida Water
Managements District will pursue funding and approval
from FEMA for hurricane debris on land and water within
their jurisdiction.
For more information, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/watman/ or
contact them at the following numbers:
- Northwest Florida WMD: (850) 539-5999
- Suwannee River WMD: (386) 362-1001
- St. Johns River WMD: (386) 329-4500
- Southwest Florida WMD: (352) 796-7211
- South Florida WMD: (561) 686-8800
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In coordination and partnership with a local
government sponsor, the NRCS will assist in removing
debris from creeks, streams, non-federally designated
navigable and non-navigable channels to prevent threat
of flooding or prevent soil erosion and reduce threats
to life or property.
For more information, visit
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
or call (352) 338-9508
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The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office will
broadcast a “Local Notice to Mariners” on VHF channel
16, so that other boaters can be warned of wrecked
vessels obstructing watercourse or creating hazards to
navigation within the Intracoastal Waterway and other
primary navigable waterways. For more information, visit
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/gmhome.htm
or call the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office for your
area at the following numbers:
- MSO Mobile: (251) 441-5684
- MSO Tampa: (813) 228-2191, ext. 8109
- MSO MIA: (305) 535-8705 or (786) 295-9068
- MSO JAX: (904) 232-2640, ext. 105 or ext. 152
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In coordination with local entities, the FWC will
oversee the investigative and legal process for lost and
abandoned vessels located at or below the high water
mark within Florida waters. Those vessels identified as
derelict within the waters of the State will be
processed in accordance with procedures adopted and
published by the State. This includes the identification
and returning of lost boats, and the legally processing,
salvaging, and disposing of abandoned and derelict
boats.
For more information, visit
http://MyFWC.com/boating
or call (850) 488-5600.
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The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must
approve
debris staging areas [pdf]
in order for the owner/operator of the staging area to
receive Public Assistance funds from FEMA. Field
authorizations for staging areas by DEP may be issued
prior to or following a site inspection by DEP personnel
for staging areas to be used for temporary storage and
processing of Hurricane-generated debris. Field
authorizations for debris staging areas may only be
issued by DEP subsequent to an Executive Order by the
Governor declaring a state of emergency or an Emergency
Final Order by the Secretary of DEP authorizing debris
staging areas.
DEP also provides assistance with the clean up of
hazardous materials that pose a threat to the
environment. For assistance call the DEP Emergency
Response State Warning Point at (800) 320-0519.
For more information, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/em/.
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Lost and abandoned vessels located on private
properties are the responsibility of the property owners
to reclaim and remove the boat. Private property owners
are responsible for removing debris from their own
property, whether upland or wetland.
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