The Lee Board of County Commissioners authorized curbside commercial debris removal in county rights of way that are outside of the catastrophic and extensively damaged areas, as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

FEMA worked with the Florida Department of Emergency Management in identifying areas receiving catastrophic and extensive damage from Hurricane Ian, which were mostly in Zone A. These areas are typically the responsibility of the property owner, but are now approved to be handled by the county. 

The approval on Tuesday allows for the Solid Waste Department to have its disaster recovery debris contractors collect, process, monitor, track and dispose of commercial debris in non-categorized areas, much of which is in unincorporated Lee County. 

The county is anticipating some FEMA reimbursement for the debris removal of non-categorized areas, with the preliminary cost estimate for removal being $600,000. The estimated total follows a survey conducted by the county’s debris monitoring firm, Thompson Consulting Services, that found 17,303 cubic yards of debris and 463 other items, totaling $473,917 of collection, processing and disposal. The department expects other piles will be found and added 25% contingency, totaling approximately $600,000.

“If we can show that it was a public health hazard, FEMA will typically reimburse you for that,” Assistant County Manager Glen Salyer said. “I do want to point out that probably not all of this collection will be reimbursed because there are some small isolated vegetative debris piles that FEMA probably is going to say don’t present enough of a public health hazard to be reimbursed.” 

Since reimbursement is not assured, the county will absorb some costs.  

Crews will work from west to east, starting at corridors in Cape Coral and working toward the Hendry County border.  

The debris in the undesignated areas is expected to be cleared by the end of January. However, the county understands those in the catastrophic and extensively damaged areas will have to continue to put debris on curbs as they work with insurance companies and contractors.  

“We will just keep circulating and just keep passing those properties and picking it up until it’s all gone,” Salyer said. 

Outside of Evacuation Zone A, the county intends to announce a final call this week for debris collection to be put on curbs no later than Jan. 3, covering most of southeast Lee County.