UPDATE: HURRICANE DEBRIS REMOVAL IN UNINCORPORATED MONROE COUNTY

KEY LARGO AND TAVERNIER

Monroe County’s contractors have completed hurricane debris removal on all County roads in Key Largo and Tavernier. The final pass in this area began on Oct. 29 and County workers ensured that each County road was completed since that date. The public was notified that the deadline to put debris on County roads in this area was Oct. 28.

It is now illegal for anyone to put hurricane debris in any right of way in Key Largo or Tavernier, including along U.S. 1. Law enforcement will be enforcing the illegal dumping laws.

Residents who live in Key Largo and Tavernier now need to take any additional hurricane debris to a County transfer station or make other personal arrangements. At this time, County transfer stations are not charging County residents disposal fees for hurricane debris.

U.S. 1 IN THE KEYS

The Florida Department of Transportation and the Division of Emergency Management have agreed to do one final pass along U.S. 1 in the Keys to collect FEMA-eligible hurricane debris. (This does not include mobile homes, cars, boats and other ineligible debris).

FDOT’s contactors had stopped picking up hurricane debris along U.S. 1 at the end of October. State Rep. Holly Raschein, who represents the Keys, and other local officials and staff spoke with FDOT and Division of Emergency Management officials to convince them of the unique situation of the Keys. FDOT will coordinate with the County and municipalities on the U.S. 1 pickup.

“I am thrilled that after continued discussions, FDOT has agreed to our request to return to the Keys for a final debris pick-up along US 1,” Raschein said. “With the devastation seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, it is the right thing to do and the right thing for our community. Our local municipalities are working to do their part and I’m glad to see the state is willing to continue to partner with us in our recovery by continuing to clear debris along our state highway.”

MILE MARKER 16 to MILE MARKER 40

Monroe County’s new hurricane debris, DRC Environmental Services, has multiple crews working throughout Lower Sugarloaf to the Big Pine Key area.

Crews are currently working on a first pass for vegetative and construction and demolition debris on Lower Sugarloaf, Upper Sugarloaf (Indian Mounds Subdivisions and streets at the northern part of Crane Boulevard), Cudjoe Key (south of U.S. 1 off of Spanish Main), Summerland Key south of U.S. 1 and Little Torch Key north of U.S. 1.

Crews also are working at the southern and eastern parts of Big Pine Key, including the Sands subdivision (The Avenues), Tropical Key Colony subdivision, neighborhoods south of U.S. 1, including Long Beach Road as well as in Whispering Pines subdivision and Doctors Arm.  Crews soon will move into Pine Channel Estates and Palm Villa subdivisions.

When the first pass is done in these areas, crews will move to Cudjoe Gardens and sections of Cudjoe Key north of U.S. 1, Summerland Key and Ramrod Key north of U.S. 1, Jolly Rogers Estates on Little Torch, Breezeswept Beach Estates on Ramrod Key, Big Pine Key north of Watson Boulevard and No Name Key to complete DRC’s first pass.

Contractors will work these areas to collect all construction and demolition debris and vegetative debris. White goods (big appliances) and stumps will be collected separately.

The anticipated time to complete the first pass is two weeks; additional passes will be completed as necessary.

At the same time, County public works crews are working on Big Pine Key along private roads in the Pine Key Acres and Doctors Arm subdivisions to move debris to the closest public right of way for collection by DRC crews.  It is not necessary to call the County or sign a right of entry form in order for the crews to come down your private road.

DUCK KEY, CONCH KEY and LAYTON

The final pass in these areas will begin soon once a suitable temporary debris site to store collected debris is identified.  Monroe County employees have been going through these areas collecting household hazardous waste.

In these areas, no more hurricane debris should be dumped along U.S. 1.

STOCK ISLAND TO BAYPOINT (MM 5 to MM 15)

A reminder: Hurricane debris collection was completed on County roads from Stock Island to Baypoint. It is illegal to put hurricane debris on any County road or along U.S. 1 in this area and illegal dumping laws will be enforced.

TRANSFER STATIONS

County residents can still bring hurricane debris to any of the County’s three transfer stations for free disposal.

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