PRESS RELEASE

Trash Pickup Resumes Today, Debris Removal Continues
LAFOURCHE PARISH (September 9, 2008) - The Lafourche Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness announced that the normal garbage pickup schedule resumed today. Trucks still may not be able to pass on some streets. If that situation is evident to residents down the street, they may bring their garbage to the front of the street on the normal pickup day.

Lafourche Parish Government and its contractors have begun the process of Storm Debris Cleanup and Removal in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.  Storm debris and regular garbage and trash should be kept separate.  Place all debris at street curbside away from fire hydrants, low hanging wires and water meters.

The Parish and its contractors will not be removing debris along state highways and state rights-of-way. This will be accomplished by the Department of Transportation and Development and their contractors.  This includes all debris along LA-1, LA-308 and all other state highways in the parish.

We ask that the storm debris be separated into different piles.  These piles are: (1) metal, (2) clean wood and tree debris, (3) white goods (household appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, a/c units, washers and dryers, microwave ovens, TV’s, etc…), (4) batteries, chemicals or other items that may be of a hazardous nature.  Loose debris should be boxed, bundled, and containerized as much as possible.

DO NOT put debris in roadside ditches that may block drainage. 

The parish and its contractors are not responsible for collection of debris in cases where property owners may be reimbursed by insurance companies for hauling debris to an accredited landfill.  In these cases, property owners and their contractors will be responsible to make arrangements with a solid waste contractor for the proper collection and disposal of the debris. 

The parish and its contractors are not entering private property to collect debris at this time.  Debris collection will occur at or very near the public right of ways.  Property owners will be responsible to make sure the debris is placed in the proper location for collection.

Your patience, understanding, and cooperation are greatly appreciated during this time.  While there is no need to call our office during this time as we are conducting a parish-wide collection of all storm debris and regular garbage collection, if you feel that you must call you may contact us at
985-537-7603.