Posts tagged flood
Boulder OSMPs to host open house on open space recovery progress
Oct 16th
The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Millennium Harvest House ballroom, 1345 28th St. OSMP staff will kick off the meeting with a presentation of its response to the flood, along with its efforts to open area trails, trailheads and climbing locations. OSMP staff members will be available to address specific questions after the department’s presentation.
The topics covered during the open house will include:
· Trail and trailhead repair, and trail opening progress
· Flood impacts on natural resources and agricultural programs
· Volunteer projects and accomplishments
· Plans for the weeks and months ahead
Since the flooding, OSMP staff and hundreds of volunteers have reopened 47 percent of its trail system, along with 57 percent of its trailheads. The department has also held 15 volunteer projects and has begun working with the Flatirons Climbing Council and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group to assess climbing areas – work that will help the department develop a comprehensive plan for opening more climbing areas across the system.
Individuals interested in volunteering for OSMP’s recovery projects should visit boulderfloodinfo.net and click on “Volunteer Opportunities” for information about how to help.
For the most current listing of trails that OSMP has opened, go to http://bit.ly/15msF85
–CITY–
Flood debris pickup extended
Oct 16th
The City of Boulder is in the process of completing pickup of all flood debris that was reported to the city as of Monday, Oct. 14.
The curbside collection of damaged household items, carpet, drywall and all other materials except for dirt, mud and silt, is expected to be completed by Saturday, Oct. 19. Due to the logistics of hauling heavy organic material and collecting dirt, mud and silt from residential areas, parks and multi-use paths, trucks are expected to continue this limited scope of work for several more weeks.
Residents who did not contact the city by Monday, Oct. 14 may no longer take advantage of the curbside collection service and must dispose of flood debris on their own or with the help of a contractor. Residents may continue to dispose of debris at Western Disposal’s transfer station, but they will be required to pay the associated fees.
“We want residents to understand that while they will continue to see Swingle trucks in their neighborhoods fulfilling the orders that were placed before Monday’s deadline, these crews are no longer tasked with continuing to pick up unreported piles,” said Kara Mertz of the city’s Local Environmental Action Division. “The responsibility for unreported flood debris has shifted back to the private property owner.”
Denver-based collection contractor Swingle estimates that its crews have serviced more than 10,000 households since Sept. 26, when collection first began. As of Monday, Oct. 14, 4,463 tons of debris and sediment had been collected through the flood debris curbside pickup program. The city has received positive feedback about the limited-time emergency service.
“It was a relief to see the flood debris gone, though it was also a final goodbye for things we would have rather saved,” said resident Susan McLean in correspondence with the city. “Thank you for all you and others are doing to help speed the recovery.”
Residents who met the request deadline must comply with the same guidelines that have been in place since the pickups began. Specifically, they are asked to make sure their debris is on public streets or right of ways. Materials must be within 10 feet of the curb, avoiding sidewalks if possible, and should not be in bike lanes or in locations that may block storm drains.
In order for the city to receive FEMA assistance for the cost of debris removal, curbside pickup is limited to debris created by the storm event of Sept. 11 through Sept. 15. FEMA requirements include:
· Storm-related debris only; tree branches that broke from wind this past week cannot be accepted as part of this collection
· Debris should not be placed in plastic trash bags
· If debris is already in plastic bags, these bags must be opened to allow for verification that they contain only storm debris
· Do not place regular household trash with flood debris
· Debris must be placed on public property. Collection trucks are not permitted to go onto private or commercial property, which includes driveways, areas inside fences, and private streets inside mobile home parks and large apartment complexes.
Electronics and household hazardous wastes are NOT included in curbside collection.
Electronics may be taken to Eco-Cycle’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) drop off site at 5030 Old Pearl St. or Western Disposal for recycling. For more information, visit www.ecocycle.org/charm or www.westerndisposal.com.
Household hazardous waste such as paint, pesticides and chemicals must be taken to the Hazardous Materials Management Facility at 1901 63rd St. It is located behind the Boulder County Recycling Facility.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact the city at 720-564-2196 or at flooddebris@bouldercolorado.gov.
Boulder County Flood Center now open, changes hours
Oct 16th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center opened on Oct. 14 to assist property owners and residents of unincorporated Boulder County impacted by the unprecedented flooding events of September 2013.
Formerly called the Flood Recovery Center, the renamed Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center is located at the county’s Land Use Department in downtown Boulder.
The center is staffed by functional experts in onsite wastewater (septic) systems, floodplain regulations, transportation (e.g., driveways, roads & bridges), planning and building codes.
What: Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center
When: Beginning Monday, Oct. 21, hours are 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M–F (hours through Oct. 18 are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Where: Boulder County Land Use Department, 2045 13th St., Boulder (map)
Contact: floodrecovery@bouldercounty.org, 303-441-1705
Flood-impacted residents of unincorporated Boulder County who have questions about the rebuilding process are encouraged to stop by the Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center to speak with a staff member.
Public parking is available at Boulder County Courthouse lot, and City of Boulder parking garage vouchers are available upon check-in at the Center. Residents can also email the Center staff at floodrecovery@bouldercounty.org or call 303-441-1705.
Questions that residents may have include:
· My private residential bridge/culvert/driveway was destroyed by the flood, how do I begin repairs?
· I’m unsure about the status of my septic system, how do I know if the system is still working properly?
· What are the floodplain/floodway regulations and how do they affect my property?
· Do I need to have a structural engineer to inspect the safety of my home?
Visit www.bouldercountyflood.org for rebuilding resources and more information on flood recovery.