Marlene Feist

New Program Takes Aim at Remaining Tree Debris

Marlene Feist, Utilities Director of Strategic Development, No Phone Number Available


Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 4:34 p.m.

New Program Takes Aim at Remaining Tree Debris

The City has launched a new program help low-income homeowners deal with remaining tree debris, including stumps, trunks, and large branches, from last November’s historic windstorm. The City has identified about 200 residential properties with remaining tree debris that may be eligible to participate in the program.

“While residents are responsible for the cleanup of such debris, we know some of our homeowners just can’t afford to have this debris removed,” says Heather Trautman, the City’s Director of Neighborhood Services and Code Enforcement. “We need to work together to address these safety concerns, reduce fire risk, and improve our neighborhoods.”

The program can help homeowners whose annual incomes are at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), which is a common eligibility threshold for federal, state, and local programs that serve low-income individuals and families. For example, 80 percent of the AMI would be $40,100 for a family of two and $50,100 for a family of four.

If you think you may qualify, call SNAP (Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners) at 319-3080, which is a dedicated line for this program only.  Or, you can check out their website at www.snapwa.org. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and applications must be submitted by September 20.

Not everyone will qualify for the program, so here is some helpful information for residents who need to clear storm debris from private property.

  • Refer to the list of licensed arborists at spokanecity.org to help assess work or trim trees.
  • For removal of large stumps, which can weigh hundreds of pounds to a ton or more, consider contacting logging, demolition, and excavation companies.
  • Be sure to call 8-1-1 to identify locations of utilities before digging; safety should be a priority.

Take clean green material to the Waste to Energy Facility, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd. Cost for disposal of clean green material is $5.30 for up to 220 pounds or $49.76 per ton.

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