Lincoln County commissioners plan emergency hire of debris monitor to support FEMA, NRCS claims

Laurel, a county staff member, told Lincoln County Commissioners at a special session that the county needs to hire a debris monitor immediately to document waterway debris from recent flooding and to support reimbursement from federal programs. “My recommendation is to get a debris monitor on board as soon as possible,” she said, noting FEMA and state teams will conduct a preliminary damage assessment the following week.

The monitor would act as a third-party observer to ensure removal work meets FEMA requirements, Laurel said, and would map debris locations for permitting and testing. She told commissioners two contractor roles are needed: a debris monitor and debris haulers to remove material. Laurel said she has modified procurement templates specific to the county and the flood, and warned that some waterway debris may require asbestos testing.

John McNiss, introduced by staff as executive vice president of debris operations with Debris Tech, joined the meeting by Zoom and described the firm’s capabilities. “We’re happy to assist any way possible,” McNiss said, recommending a drone survey to quantify rock, sediment and vegetation and to produce documentation FEMA will expect. McNiss said Debris Tech can escalate to helicopters or planes if needed, but that a drone team could perform the immediate mapping.

Commissioners discussed disposal and testing logistics if asbestos is present. Participants noted that keeping material wet reduces airborne risk but that final disposal depends on contamination levels and landfill acceptance; county staff said they will coordinate with state environmental agencies on testing and proper disposal procedures.

Staff also raised a related federal funding pathway: the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Program (EWP). The staff recommendation was to prepare a sample NRCS request letter but delay submitting it until roughly day 28 of the 30‑day window so the county can map locations and avoid prematurely starting the deadline clock. “We only have an additional 30 days to identify all locations,” a staff member said, describing the tight timetable for NRCS paperwork.

Officials stressed meticulous documentation to secure reimbursement. A county official warned of “horror stories” where incomplete paperwork led to denied claims and urged collection of right-of-entry agreements from private property owners where debris impacts exist. The county also plans to pursue another LAR survey run for pre/post comparison and expects FEMA/state damage assessment teams next week.

On procurement, staff recommended issuing an RFP rather than a low-bid solicitation, arguing specialized debris work should be evaluated for experience and equipment as well as price to avoid a “race to the bottom.” Commissioners asked staff to prepare materials in time to publish the RFP by Monday at noon to meet a two-week public notice requirement.

The group also discussed an engineering issue: an HDR engineer reported a sewer line break where a sewer crosses the Tobacco River; staff said they will document the exact location and raise the site with FEMA and state teams during the assessment.

Several administrative follow-ups remained: participants said a Debris Tech emergency agreement had been emailed but without the attachment, asked Debris Tech to resend the document, and requested legal review of any contract. Commissioners also asked that any emergency contract include a “not to exceed” figure; a representative said the transcript referenced “80” but the unit (for example, $80,000) was not specified in the meeting record.

The meeting adjourned after staff agreed to collect maps and finalize the procurement language, with FEMA and state assessment teams scheduled to visit the county the following week.