WNC Counties Eye State-Led Debris Cleanup as Transylvania Opts Out of Army Corps

WNC --  Transylvania County has officially charted a new course for its post-Hurricane Helene debris removal, opting out of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) program in favor of a new state initiative.

This move, made even after federal funding for the county's work became available, signals a potential shift in disaster recovery strategies across Western North Carolina, as other counties grapple with similar challenges and consider state-led alternatives.

The decision by the Transylvania County Commissioners on July 14, 2025, to join the State Mission Assigned Recovery Taskforce (SMART) program through the North Carolina Department of Emergency Services (NCEM) marks a significant departure. The county had faced a temporary pause in its private property debris removal efforts after being informed by FEMA and USACE on June 25 that specific federal funding for their county's private property work had not been secured.

While the federal funding ultimately materialized for Transylvania County on July 8, the county's leadership had already begun exploring and ultimately committing to the SMART program. This state-funded initiative allows local governments to partner directly with NCEM for the management of remaining debris removal. For Transylvania County residents, this means their existing applications for private property debris removal will be transferred to the state program, with no further action required on their part.

The Army Corps of Engineers has confirmed that the federal funding initially earmarked for Transylvania County can now be redirected to another Western North Carolina county still utilizing the federal program. This highlights the flexibility of federal disaster aid but also underscores the county-level autonomy in choosing the most effective recovery path.

A Growing Trend Towards State Solutions?

Transylvania County's decision is not an isolated incident but rather indicative of a broader trend emerging in the region. Other Western North Carolina counties have also explored or implemented state-level solutions for debris management:

Jackson County notably chose to secure its own debris contractor for speed, anticipating reimbursement through the state. This proactive approach allowed them to begin cleanup faster than if they had waited solely on federal assistance.

The launch of the new state-funded River Debris Cleanup Program by the nonprofit MountainTrue and the NC Department of Environmental Quality further emphasizes the state's role. With $10 million in funding, this program aims to supplement existing federal efforts by targeting smaller streams and tributaries often overlooked by larger-scale federal operations. This initiative directly benefits 25 counties, many of which are in Western NC, including Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, and Yancey.

Counties across North Carolina generally have the option to work with either NC Emergency Management's pre-existing contractors or the Army Corps of Engineers. This inherent choice allows for adaptability based on specific county needs and experiences.

The Drivers Behind the Shift

Several factors appear to be influencing counties to consider state-led programs:

Speed and Communication: As seen in Transylvania County, initial delays or uncertainties in federal funding can prompt counties to seek more immediate or locally controlled solutions. Residents' frustration with communication or perceived slowness of federal processes can also be a driving factor.

Environmental Concerns: Some local officials and environmental groups have raised concerns about the Army Corps' "volume-based" model for debris removal, suggesting it can sometimes incentivize over-removal and potentially damage sensitive ecosystems, particularly in waterways. State-managed programs may offer more localized control over environmental best practices.

Flexibility and Local Control: State programs may offer greater flexibility in contractor selection and project management, allowing counties to tailor their recovery efforts more closely to their unique geographical and community needs.

As Western North Carolina continues its long recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, Transylvania County's pivot to a state-managed debris removal program may serve as a blueprint for other counties seeking efficient, responsive, and locally attuned solutions. The balance between federal support and state-led initiatives is evolving, with potentially significant implications for future disaster recovery efforts across the state.

WNCTimes

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