GBB Develops Orleans Parish Disaster Debris Demolition Plan

(Fairfax, VA – December 29, 2006) – Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) has recently made public a study entitled “Orleans Parish Disaster Debris Demolition Plan” that GBB prepared for the Citizens Coalition, an ad hoc group that opposed the reopening of the Chef Menteur Landfill in New Orleans, LA. One of the study’s findings is that there is more than enough space at existing Metro New Orleans landfills to handle debris from Hurricane Katrina, rebutting previous arguments by supporters of the controversial disaster debris landfill operated by Waste Management of Louisiana.

The GBB study, which was primarily authored by Bob Brickner, concludes that the remaining debris from Hurricane Katrina could easily be accommodated at two landfills on the west bank of the Mississippi River in nearby Jefferson Parish. The GBB report also says that the state officials’ claims drastically underestimated available space at those locations. Based on other Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) public information obtained on these two sites and information from the private landfill owners, these sites can handle significantly more than LDEQ presented at public meetings. In addition to proving that new landfill capacity is not needed, GBB’s report highlights that the delays in moving debris out of New Orleans can be reduced by more rapidly processing the City-related permits that will be needed for the thousands of building demolitions expected over the next 18 months to two years.

The GBB study, as a proactive measure, lays out an alternative plan to speed up debris collection by creating interim transfer areas in nine of the City's 13 planning districts that contain the most damaged buildings. Smaller trucks would move debris from demolition sites to these interim transfer areas, which could be on concrete parking lots in abandoned strip malls. Much larger trucks would then move the material to landfills, possibly at night when traffic is reduced, resulting in fewer accidents and lower costs.

“GBB’s report presents a clear game plan to speed up debris collection that would significantly impact the pace of New Orleans’ recovery and rebuilding,” noted Bob Brickner, GBB Executive Vice President. “By specifically defining the problem at the local level, and then dissecting the need into permits required, demolition crews required, short-hauling vehicle capacity needs, interim storage space and transfer requirements, and long-haul/disposal needs, each Planning District can concentrate on their own solutions and then work with the various levels of governments and state/federal agencies to provide New Orleans’ citizens with the recovery efforts and fast-tracked results they deserve.”

GBB is a national solid waste management consulting firm founded in 1980 that works on solid waste collection, processing, recycling and disposal issues at the local, state, and national levels for both the public and private sectors. GBB is a recognized leader in providing Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste management consulting, assisting clients in developing sound and cost-effective approaches to improve the handling, processing, recycling, and/or disposal of C&D waste materials. For more information on the firm and its products and services, visit www.GBBinc.com or call 1-800-573-5801.

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