PENDER COUNTY — Residents living in Pender County on unpaved roads are now able to receive the same treatment as those on unpaved roads when it comes to debris removal following Hurricane Florence — at least according to one county commissioner.
It is just one of several changes in position from Pender County on the topic in the past month. Initially, leaders in the county were telling residents it would not be able to pick up debris from the storm from any private road.
Then, officials announced it would be picking up from private roads provided the streets were paved, leaving residents living on unpaved roads to fend for themselves.
Related: Many in Pender living on private, unpaved roads left without debris collection services
For those questioning why the county is picking up debris at all, it comes down to federal funding and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA does not actually provide any debris pickup services after a natural disaster, instead, it provides money to the state who in turn, provides money to local government bodies to help pay for services like debris removal.
In order to secure the FEMA funding, the governmental body must follow guidelines set by the federal government — this is where the confusion as to what was allowed and not allowed came into play.
With the fear of not being eligible for federal funding Pender County initially took the firm stance of only picking up debris placed in the NCDOT right-of-way.
“The debris contractor will be picking up debris in the NCDOT right-of-way. Debris will have to be brought to the right of way at the subdivision entrance if this is a private subdivision with private streets,” Pender County Public Utilities Director Kenny Keel said in an email to a resident.
But now, according to County Commissioner David Williams, the county has gotten the go-ahead from FEMA to rid itself of liability and permit the pickup of debris on unpaved streets.
“Great News! After weeks of pursuit negotiating etc. we just received word from FEMA allowing us to pick up debris on unpaved roads while not exposing PENDER County to liability of doing this. I want to thank Chairman George Brown and the rest of the Commissioners for their support!” Williams wrote in a Facebook post.
County Spokeswoman Tammy Proctor said, “This issue is not resolved. The commissioners have to weigh the issues. A vote has not been taken … The Posting on David Williams Facebook was his personal page and nothing was official yet.”
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