Plans, Guidance Documents and Contracts

Resources

DEP Contacts

Connecticut is a coastal state with a high probability of being affected by a natural disaster such as a hurricane or similar type of destructive storm. The State’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) has identified a Category 3 hurricane as the most probable, worst case scenario facing the State, as well as it having the greatest destructive potential of all natural disasters. The State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has projected that the amount of debris that could be generated by such an event could range from 5.5 million tons to 20 million tons. It has been estimated that the amount of debris generated from the Hurricane of 1938 totaled 20 million tons. In Connecticut, the quantity of solid waste (municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris) normally processed and disposed annually is 5 million tons.

The State has prepared two primary documents that cover natural disaster and related state-wide level response and operations: the State Natural Disaster Plan, 2009 and the State Disaster Debris Management Plan, September 2008 (Annex to the State Natural Disaster Plan). Strategies for the cleanup of debris are presented in both of these Plans.

In November 2007, the State submitted the State Disaster Debris Management Plan to FEMA for approval under their Public Assistance pilot program. For the Plan to be approved, it had to meet certain criteria set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In January 2008, FEMA notified the State that the plan received conditional approval pending the State’s establishing pre-event contracts for debris removal operations and for the monitoring of these operations. In August 2008, the State successfully completed this work of establishing these contracts. In September 2008, the State revised this Plan to reflect this change and resubmitted it to FEMA for final approval. FEMA approved the plan on September 22, 2008.

The State has executed monitoring  and removal  contracts to assist in the State's recovery efforts resulting from a natural disaster debris producing event.

Plans, Guidance Documents and Contracts

The  State Natural Disaster Plan, signed by the Governor in 2009, was prepared by DEMHS. The Plan establishes the mission assignments of state agencies in responding to natural disasters of a severity and magnitude typical for Connecticut. The Plan describes the interaction of state government with local governments, private response organizations (e.g., utilities, the American Red Cross) and the federal government in natural disaster situations.

The State Disaster Debris Management Plan, September 2008 (Annex to the State Natural Disaster Plan) establishes the framework for proper management of debris generated by a natural disaster, with the goal of facilitating prompt and efficient recovery that is cost effective, eligible for FEMA reimbursement, and protective of the environment.

The Plan is an important planning document for all levels of government – federal, state and local. The Plan describes the State contracts that are in place to use in response to a catastrophic natural disaster; the contracts are for both debris removal operations and the monitoring of these types of operations (see below for more information on the State Contracts).

The Plan outlines the planning and operation functions for Temporary Debris Storage and Reduction Sites and the two phases of clean-up. The Plan includes a number of appendices that provide references to a number of waste management resources.

FEMA approval letter, dated September 22, 2008.

The Guidance for Connecticut Municipalities-Overview of Disaster Debris Management Planning, 2006 was prepared by the CT DEP for the purpose of providing to municipal officials a brief and useful guide to the key elements for planning, mobilizing, organizing, and controlling a large-scale debris clearance, removal and disposal/recycling operation.

State Contracts for the monitoring  of the disaster debris removal operations and for the removal  of disaster debris were executed, June and August 2008 respectively. These are pre-need and pre-event contracts that can assist the state in disaster debris recovery operations. These contracts also assure the immediate availability of coordinated debris removal support following a debris producing incident. These contracts will be used on an as needed basis. These contracts will be activated only by the Governor as the result of an emergency declaration. The contracts will be administered at the sole discretion of the state. Municipalities may request, through the State’s Emergency Operations Center, that the state take the lead in debris clean-up operations within their town boundaries. If the State does assume the lead, then the state will direct its contractors and the state will seek reimbursement of FEMA Public Assistance Funding.

Additional Resources  for Disaster Debris Management Preparedness

• Debris Management Page (includes numerous guidance documents, policy documents and grant information to assist in disaster debris management planning for state and local officials.)
• Public Assistance Pilot Program