Venice dispels some of the rumors about the debris pickup process

RUMOR – There are only two debris trucks operating in the City.

FACT – There are 4 double loader trucks currently operating. Most coastal communities are vying for the same debris haulers which also supported disaster recovery efforts in North Carolina and Tennessee. As other communities recover, the City will get more trucks online to support our debris removal efforts. This is a challenge faced by all governments and communities impacted by these major back-to-back storms. Debris haulers are certified by FEMA, FDEM and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before deploying into the community.

RUMOR – The City will not pick up debris off the island.

FACT – The City’s debris haulers are starting on the island and will methodically work their way inland to roads and communities off the island within City limits. While the city has made coastal areas the priority, the debris collection route is determined by the haulers to be collected in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

RUMOR – Debris haulers pick and choose which houses to collect from.

FACT – The City’s debris haulers collect one debris type at a time and may pass by or miss your street depending on the debris they are collecting. Debris haulers will make multiple passes to collect all debris. If your debris is not separated properly, they will not collect it.

RUMOR – The City will not collect debris from private roads, mobile and manufactured homes, or gated communities.

FACT – The City is collecting debris from public right-of-way first. Debris collections will then begin from private roads, gated and ungated communities, mobile, manufactured and condominium communities within City limits. These communities are also encouraged to work through their insurance or contracted debris hauler to expedite this process. Private roads, gated communities, condominiums, and mobile and manufactured home communities must also apply for right-of-entry to allow the trucks to access private property. Contact Public Works to complete the required forms.

RUMOR – The City will stop collecting debris after 90 days.

FACT – 90 days is an estimate of how long debris removal of this magnitude can take based on previous storm debris collections and removal. The City will continue to collect and remove debris beyond 90 days until completed.

RUMOR – The debris management site at Wellfield Park is a public drop-off site.

FACT – The debris management site at Wellfield Park is NOT open to the public. This site is federally monitored by FDEM, FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with support from the City’s contracted debris monitor Tetra Tek. There is a self drop-off site available to residents for vegetative debris at the Jackson Road Transfer Station, 250 S. Jackson Road, Venice, operating 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

RUMOR – It’s OK to place debris in the roadway or to dump debris in the median or at City parks or property.

FACT – It is illegal to dump debris of any kind at any City or County park, beach, or right-of-way. Debris should be placed in front of the home where the debris originated, on the easement, out of the road. Higel Marine Park and Wellfield Park are NOT public debris staging sites. The burning of vegetative debris is prohibited.

You may not see debris haulers in the community if they are unloading at the debris management site, where the contents of each truck are measured and photographed, and debris type is cataloged. This is a federal requirement.

If you see debris haulers on your road, please give them plenty of space! Any interruptions will delay the collection process.

Thank you again for your patience during this challenging recovery period and we all look forward to restoring and rebuilding our great City of Venice.