DISASTER DEBRIS MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE

Greenville County is seeking a qualified consulting firm to review and update its 2008 FEMA Disaster Debris Management Plan (DDMP). The updated plan will provide the County with a current, practical, and FEMA-compliant framework for managing debris generated by hurricanes, severe storms, and other major disaster events. The project will incorporate current federal and state requirements, industry best practices, and lessons learned from the County’s recent large-scale debris management operations following Hurricane Helene.

The scope will include evaluation and the County’s eight pre-identified Temporary Debris Storage and Reduction Sites (TDSRS), to provide zone maps, including operational considerations, debris processing and reduction methods, traffic and material-flow considerations, and final disposition options. The consultant will also review the County’s overall debris management strategy, organizational responsibilities, contracting and monitoring approach, documentation and FEMA reimbursement requirements, and procedures, operation, closure, and restoration of temporary debris sites.

The County’s objective is to develop a concise, field-ready Storm Debris Management Plan that can be quickly implemented during an emergency, supports efficient and environmentally responsible debris operations, and maximizes eligibility for federal disaster reimbursement.

Greenville County's current DDMP was developed in 2008 (attachment C) to establish procedures for managing debris resulting from hurricanes and other major disaster events. Since adoption of the plan, federal and state guidance, debris management practices, and the County's operational capabilities and resources have evolved.

Most significantly, Greenville County implemented large-scale debris management operations following Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The County managed approximately 1.05 million cubic yards of storm-generated debris through multiple Temporary Debris Storage and Reduction Sites and disposal facilities. This response provided significant real-world experience related to site activation and operation, debris collection and reduction, contractor and monitoring activities, traffic management, environmental compliance, documentation, final disposition, site closure, and FEMA reimbursement requirements.

The County intends to use the lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, together with current FEMA and state requirements and industry best practices, to update the 2008 plan and reevaluate its eight pre-identified Temporary Debris Storage and Reduction Sites. The resulting plan should reflect the County's current resources and capabilities and provide an effective, practical framework for managing future disaster debris operations.