Disposal of Cleaning Debris

Abstract : Most project managers at Corps of Engineers (COE) impoundments dispose of cleaning debris by unconfined burning. However, environmental legislation and enforcement trends indicate that unconfined burning will soon be eliminated as a means to dispose of cleaning debris in many areas of the United States. There are several methods to dispose of cleaning debris. These alternatives include, but are not limited to: (1) placing the debris on the ground to decompose; (2) burying the debris with or without processing; (3) selling the debris without processing; (4) processing the debris for sale as firewood, mulch, etc.; (5) burning the debris by confined or unconfined burning techniques. Eight sites were visited to collect site-specific data on a list of factors deemed to be essential in evaluating the disposal methods. Four site visits are described in detail while the remaining four are summarized. The study determined that each site must be considered individually, using social, economic, and physical factors to determine the most appropriate debris disposal method for the location. There is no universal debris removal or disposal method that can be used economically at all locations.