Debris Management Planning for the 21st Century

Abstract

Weather-related disasters have increased in intensity and occurrence during the past 18 years. Twenty-one of these disasters occurred during the August 1992–May 1997 period, with total damages/costs of approximately $90 billion and with 911 deaths. Urban population centers continue to grow into areas of high risk for potential property loss due to such major debris-generating events as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, and earthquakes. The costs associated with cleaning up after such events continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, not to mention the associated costs for lost property and wages because of lengthy debris removal and disposal operations. This article addresses the issues associated with catastrophic disaster debris management planning. Debris management issues are discussed in the context of the debris management cycle, which identifies four specific debris operation phases and the issues associated with each. The major emphasis is on how to develop a comprehensive debris management plan. The article also stresses the importance of having preidentified temporary debris management sites, preevent debris contracts, and debris contract monitoring training as essential parts of a coordinated debris management plan.