Storm Debris Removal for County Maintained Roads to Begin on Monday, September 18th and Two Debris Drop Off Locations Established

9/15/2017

The9/15/17 @ 1:45 p.m. - Nassau County has hired a contractor to handle all storm debris pickup that resulted from Hurricane Irma. Debris pickup will begin at dawn on Monday, September 18th and will go through dusk seven (7) days per week until completed. There is not set "schedule" as the contractor cannot determine how long any particular area will take. It all depends on the amount of debris, how many trips they have to make to empty trucks, whether or not special equipment is needed, etc. They will get to your area as quickly as they can. All we can do is advise you that pickup has begun and to be ready.

Debris will be picked up from the County right-of-ways only. Residents on county maintained roads should place their debris on the edge of the road without jeopardizing public safety.

To assist with cleanup efforts, citizens are also reminded of the following:

PER FEMA INSTRUCTIONS, paper or plastic bags left at the curb will not be picked up and may prevent the contractor from picking up any debris left at the site.
Bagged debris or debris in containers will not be picked up
Large limbs and logs may require additional equipment, therefore, this type of debris may be left behind on the first pass
Separate yard debris such as limbs, leaves and logs from construction/demolition debris and place in two separate piles. Failure to do so will prevent the contractor from picking up any debris at the site as these types of debris are taken to different collection sites
Appliances and furniture will not be picked up
Household hazardous waste such as paint cans, batteries and electronics will not be picked up

Note: if you live in the city or town limits, you will need to contact your municipality directly about debris removal.The county contractor will only remove debris from the county limits on county maintained roads.

FEMA does not allow the county to pick up debris on private roads so if you reside on a private road or in a private subdivision, you will be responsible for removing debris. Additionally, the County will not be providing debris pickup for commercial properties or apartment complexes. Nassau County residents can drop-off their yard debris for free to a county collection site outlined below. Those residing in private subdivisions will need to consult with their HOA to determine if they will provide cleanup for your neighborhood. CONTRACTORS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE THE DROP OFF LOCATIONS. Residents can also burn yard debris in accordance with burn guidelines issued by the Florida Dept of Agriculture.

Two collections sites have been established for citizens to drop off their debris fee of charge with proof of residency such as a government issued ID, utility bill, etc. The following sites will accept vegetative debris only and will not be able to accept construction/demolition debris:

Bailey Road Maintenance Yard in Fernandina Beach located at 3163 Bailey Road
Hilliard Maintenance Yard in Hilliard located at 37356 Pea Farm Road

Both sites will open on Sunday, September 17th at noon and will remain open until 7:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, September 18th, both sites will be open from 7am-7pm seven (7) days per week until further notice.

Updates concerning debris pickup will be communicated through the County’s news website, www.thecountyinsider.com, and the County’s FaceBook page, https://www.facebook.com/nassaucountyfl.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

35 Comments

John L. Davis

9/18/2017 08:46:41 am

Why are we paying county property tax if the county will not provide us with services necessitated by a natural disaster? Public or private road should be irrelevant. Am I to receive a discount from my current tax assessment for this discriminatory policy?

Sabrina robertson

9/18/2017 08:55:40 am

Can you please tell me which street you reside on?

Kevin Toothman

9/19/2017 06:21:37 pm

84026 Saint James ct yulee

Michael Martin

9/24/2017 04:57:27 am

54002 Evergreen Trail, Callahan,Fl

Taxes paid, but live on private Rd. Need storm debris picked up. Have no way to transport to collection area. It consists of limbs from small tree that fell during hurricane and flood.

Sabrina Robertson

9/25/2017 05:44:53 am

Mr. Toothman,
St James Court is County maintained. They are starting east and working west so it will likely still be a few weeks before they reach your area. However please be advised they are working 7 days per week in hopes to get it all taken care of quickly. Thank you.

Lucy Nadeau

9/19/2017 05:12:03 am

Why are we paying ANY TAXES if the FEDERAL government is going to GIVE $$$ to people for aid? Have you looked at what FEMA pays for? It is really scary and sad at the same time. No accountability anymore for anything. It makes you wonder just why you bother buying insurance for your house! I ask the same think Mr. Davis--WHY should we have to drag our debris out of a regular subdivision just because it isn't a "public" street subdivision (that is the rationale behind it. Last year, our subdivision had to fork out over $20K to clean up, but this year each homeowner has to deal with it themselves. I am writing every public official I know...if some DACA person can get money through FEMA, then by golly, we in Nassau County should get every dime we can to clean up our storm debris. Sorry. Just how I feel,

9/19/2017 11:46:11 am

Hi Ms. Nadeau,
Please see the response below written to Mr. Davis who voiced similar concerns. Per Florida Statutes, government entities are never allowed to do work of any type on private property or private roads. FEMA also has very strict guidelines about this as well. While FEMA can provide citizens direct with assistance in making repairs to their property, they will not authorize local governments to do so. We attempted to get an exception last year following Matthew to help residents on private roads and were denied. Our County Manager has been in contact with our State Representative and they are working to try to find a solution.
Thank you.

Therese Ames

9/19/2017 05:49:00 am

If you live in the city I'm under the impression that the debris pick up will be done by the city not the county. Check city website.

9/19/2017 11:35:20 am

Yes, the City has their own contractor which will be picking up debris from City maintained roads. Anyone with questions related to the City's debris pickup policy should contact the city directly at (904) 310-3315.

9/19/2017 11:33:38 am

Good Afternoon,

Government entities by Florida Statute, are strictly prohibited from doing any type of work on private roads. Following Hurricane Matthew last year, we had the Director of the Health Dept. write a letter to the State, indicating that the debris was a safety and health hazard and asked for an exception. The State denied the request. To help citizens in this situation, drop off sites were established where residents can bring their debris free of charge. We realize this is not the ideal situation but unfortunately, we have no other option at this point. Our County Manager has been in contact with our State Representative discussing ways to help all the residents, however at this time, nothing is in place.

9/20/2017 09:14:20 am

Mrs. Robertson,

Thank you for your response regarding the efforts of the county to obtain a better solution for those of us in "private" subdivisions. It is disheartening that merely because we maintain our own roads and drainage ditches, thus saving the county thousands of dollars in maintenance, we are not afforded the same luxuries as those who live in subdivisions where the property is still "privately owned", yet the county maintains the roads and drainage. I am sure you completely understand my chagrin, but cannot change the outcome regardless.

Again, thank you for responding promptly to our concerns. I have written Federal Congress members, so perhaps it is the State Congress I should prod instead since they seem to be the cog preventing the wheels from turning.

Regards,
Lucy Nadeau

9/25/2017 05:43:10 am

Mr. Martin,
Government entities are never allowed to do work of any type on private property or private roads. FEMA also has very strict guidelines about this as well. While FEMA can provide citizens direct with assistance in making repairs to their property, they will not authorize local governments to do so. We attempted to get an exception last year following Matthew to help residents on private roads and were denied. Our County Manager has been in contact with our State Representative and they are working to try to find a solution.
Thank you.

Robin de Boer

9/20/2017 09:12:05 am

Unable to find debris schedule for our area. Blackrock/Dolphin Way
Yulee. Please send or direct me to schedule. Thank you.

9/20/2017 09:23:32 am

There is actually not a schedule as the contractor has no way to determine how long a particular area or neighborhood will take. I can tell you that the contractor started working Monday and will work 7 days per week until all county roads have been cleared. We have asked the contractor to provide us weekly updates so citizens can see how they've progressed and hopefully have a better idea when they are getting close to their area.

Pam

9/20/2017 06:31:37 pm

So, I'm guessing that Worthington Drive in Yulee is a private road. Would you please confirm?

9/21/2017 05:22:03 am

Worthington Drive is actually a county maintained road. Just because you are in a neighborhood doesn't necessarily mean you are on a private road. It depends on whether or not the developer or HOA ever requested the County take over maintenance on the roads. So just get your debris ready and the contractor will be by as soon as they can. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Sue Edwards

9/21/2017 06:44:28 am

I know it is difficult to have a schedule per se; however, I was wondering this there any idea of when cleanup will start on Amelia Island? I live of Citrona on N. Snapper Lane.

Many thanks to you and all county employees for their unwavering loyalty to the citizens of Nassau County. Ya'll did impressively well last year and I don't doubt the same will be this year.

Thank you in advance.....

9/21/2017 06:49:35 am

Hi Ms. Edwards,

The crews actually began working on the island Monday so it shouldn't be too terribly long. They will be working from dawn until dusk 7 days per week in hopes of moving quickly. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

9/21/2017 07:50:12 am

Thank you very much!

Wendy Steuernagel

9/26/2017 10:10:47 am

Hi - I live on Springwood Lane off of Barnwell Road and our neighborhood consisting of Waters Edge and Spanish Oaks has a lot of debris from the storm. I saw pickups on the Island today but wondered an approximate timeline for off Island residents. Thank you for any help you can provide.

9/26/2017 10:42:25 am

We received notification late yesterday that they are continuing work on the island however beginning today, they planned to also begin debris removal off the island. They are moving east to west so they will likely do Marsh Lakes and Piney Island and then work their way toward Barnwell. Shouldn't be too much longer.

9/27/2017 05:34:59 am

Thanks for the update - it's much appreciated!

Fritz Lupone

10/2/2017 10:24:22 am

Hi. Just want to confirm that Christopher Lane, off of winterberry by the Holly point boat ramp will be included for both tree debris and other type. Please let me know Thanks.

10/2/2017 10:55:07 am

Yes, I have confirmed that Christopher Lane is County maintained, therefore the contractor will be removing yard debris and construction debris placed in the right-of-way. Please be sure it is in two separate piles and not bagged or contained. Thank you.

Rick Goodin

10/4/2017 07:38:47 am

If I am correct green street signs mean roads are public , city county maintained whether it’s a private neighborhood or not. Last year the city did not pick up our debris, and was told they won’t this year either. Is this true, and why? I live on Morgan’s Way in the Pirates Wood subdivision. Thanks

10/4/2017 11:34:30 am

Good Afternoon,

The roads in Pirates Woods are all private roads. The County is not allowed to do work on private property, therefore the contractor we have hired will not be entering into Pirates Woods to remove debris. I asked our Public Works Director about the color of the signs and he did state that private roads are normally blue. He was not aware that the roads in the subdivision were green so he went out there today and confirmed that to be true. However the signs are not consistent with the type of signs produced by the County's road department so the developer or association must have had them made and installed. Additionally, the County maintains a list of all roads that have been accepted by the County for maintenance and would not begin maintaining a road just because of the color of the sign. Please let me know if you have further questions and I can have our Public Works Director call you. Thank you.

Ron Smith

10/26/2017 10:47:39 am

When will yall be in the Wilson Neck area,

10/26/2017 11:49:00 am

I was just looking over yesterday's report from the contractor and it appears that they have begun working in Hickory Village which is located on Miner Rd so they are getting closer. We now have additional trucks in the Yulee area so things should start moving quicker now.

10/26/2017 12:04:23 pm

Thanks

Edward Szynaka

11/3/2017 10:49:54 am

I think the County does a fine job providing citizen services. It is now about five weeks since Hurricane Irma struck. I have followed all your instructions for debris pickup. Can you tell me when the trucks will get to my house. 85293 Burmeister Road, F.B. 32034. Nothing has been picked up in the Nassauville area. The piles of debris are now so dry that one cigarette could start a fire. Please advise. Thank you. I do know how big a job you have.

11/6/2017 06:23:20 am

Good Morning,
I looked at the list of roads from over the weekend and Lina Rd, Owens Rd, and Lonnie Crews Rd. are included, so it looks like they have been working in your area. Shouldn't be too much longer. I also received your comment through our website inquiring about what zone you are in. You are in Zone 9. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you.

11/7/2017 07:09:40 pm

Today the clean up crew removed our debris. They did a great job and were a nice people who worked very hard. Nassau County workers are all good workers. I am just a retired northerner not a former Nassau County employee. I think Nassau County government works well. I wish our elected officials had not removed the five cent gas tax. Our roads need constant repair and our fellow Nassau residents without paved roads need them. Once again thank you for the good work. Ed Szynaka

11/13/2017 07:02:17 am

Thank you for letting us know that you are satisfied with the work provided by the contractor.

Regarding your comment about the gas tax, the Board struggles each year to find ways to continue providing the same level of service to the citizens without raising taxes. The gas tax is one of several options they discuss yearly as a way to address growing road concerns. If the gas tax ever comes up for discussion again, please feel free to reach out the Board members to let them know you support it.

chris shields

12/12/2017 03:04:49 pm

I still have debris on radio ave. Contractors were on this road about 2 weeks ago and picked up all except mine and 2 others. It appears now I am the only one left with debris and they were even parked in front of my house but never picked it up. Please!!!!...

12/13/2017 07:56:31 am

We notified the contractor this morning and have asked our Road Dept. to follow-up in the next few days to make sure it is taken care of.

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Nassau County, Florida

Storm Debris Removal for County Maintained Roads to Begin on Monday, September 18th and Two Debris Drop Off Locations Established

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