Waterway Debris Removal Started in Buncombe County

• GO TO PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY DEBRIS REMOVAL
• GO TO PRIVATE PROPERTY DEBRIS REMOVAL
• GO TO REMOVAL OF DAMAGED VEHICLE, TRAILERS, TANKS & MORE

After months of identifying and scoping highly impacted locations, coordinating with FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state and city partners, work has started to clean our waterways after Helene left an enormous amount of debris in our rivers, creeks, and lakes.

Crews with USACE contractor AshBritt are now in the water removing all types of eligible debris including vegetative, construction and demolition, titled property (boats, cars, etc.), white goods (washers, dryers, refrigerators), and hazardous waste.

Currently, crews are working in Swannanoa, Azalea Park, and Moffitt Road.

While this work is happening, please follow these important safety guidelines:

• Be cautious of increased truck activity on roads and avoid work areas for safety.
• Feel free to observe and take pictures of crews working, but please stay back and allow the teams to work. 
• These locations are active construction sites, so we ask residents to treat it as such and not enter waters where crews are actively working.
• USACE will coordinate with local and state agencies to minimize disruptions to residents and businesses.
• Please note that crews may be on waterways near your property.

Several of our river parks remain closed since the storm and we ask the public not to enter them or access the water there as cleanup occurs. Buncombe County strongly recommends residents stay out of waterways due to possile hazards from sharp debris washed away.

Teams are working as quickly and safely as possible to deliver this mission and are using specialized equipment to have the lowest possible environmental impact:

• There are over $40 million worth of specialized equipment in the water
• USACE is working in coordination with all applicable regulatory agencies to ensure this work has lowest possible environmental impacts
• Each piece of equipment uses biodegradable hydraulic fluids, is fitted with low PSI tires to reduce ground disturbance, and is pre-checked to ensure it is clean and free from leaks.

As work to clean up our waterways ramps up, we would like to remind residents to continue to get their debris to the public right-of-way as crews continue to pick up debris. If you are unable to get your debris to the right-of-way and would like to allow crews into your private property, please sign up for the Private Property Debris Removal.