Lee Today

The debris drop-off site for Pine Island residents will be open until noon Saturday, Dec. 31, and then will reopen 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Monday, Jan. 2. 

The site opened earlier this month at Phillips Park near the island’s center at 5675 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia. Residents are asked to enter through Park Lane. 

The site is for those who have the ability and desire to self-haul Hurricane Ian debris while awaiting roadside pickup. Residents must be able to unload their debris themselves; both vegetative and structural debris is accepted. This site is limited to light-duty trucks and small trailers. No self-loading equipment is allowed, and loads are limited to 5 cubic yards per trip. 

Be prepared to show identification and be a resident of unincorporated Lee County. Accepted forms of ID include driver’s license, utility bill, rental or lease agreement, or local business license. Residents will be asked to complete a waiver confirming the debris came from their property. Find the waiver at www.leegov.com/storm or get a waiver on site. 

Pine Island received catastrophic damage, so the types and amounts of debris generated make removal a costly, complex and lengthy operation. Hurricane Ian debris includes vegetation, common household garbage and personal belongings, construction and demolition debris, vehicles, food waste, white goods (e.g., household appliances, air conditioners), and household hazardous waste. Each category of debris must be managed in a way that protects people and the environment. 

Sometimes it appears that collection has not occurred on a specific street on Pine Island, when in fact crews did pass through the area but new material was subsequently moved to the curb. This is the natural process after such a large storm event, and crews will continue to make passes until all the storm debris is gone. The county has inspectors surveying the area continuously and is now prioritizing areas where collection first occurred in October or early November. 

More information is available at www.leegov.com/debris. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

Original source can be found here.