Through an interlocal agreement between Buncombe County and the Town of Black Mountain, the application process for the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program has been extended. The new deadline is April 15, 2025. The program is free to qualified property owners who complete an application.

What is the PPDR program?

PPDR is designed to assist qualified property owners who are unable to move Helene disaster debris to the Right of Way for pickup and who lack adequate debris removal insurance. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures. The application and intake process is being administered by Tetra Tech. Once the work is verified as eligible, the work will be overseen by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

Please note that the Private Property Debris Removal program, waterway, and vehicle and tank debris removal is ongoing and are not included in the March 1 deadline.

How to apply

To apply for assistance through the PPDR program, you can apply online or call the Buncombe hotline. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The PPDR Application Center at the Black Mountain Library has closed, but you can still visit the Application Center at the Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview, NC. Tetra Tech representatives will be on site to answer questions. If you’re a Black Mountain resident and you’ve already applied for this program at a different location in Buncombe County, you do not need to reapply.

What types of debris and demolition ARE eligible for PPDR?

The following types of debris and demolition services are covered under the PPDR Program:

• Hazardous Debris: This includes hazardous limbs, trees, or other mixed debris caused by Helene that are near commonly used or maintained areas of a property.

• Waterway Debris: Debris impacting a waterway.

• Demolition and Removal of Unsafe Structures such as structures that pose health hazards, are deemed unfit or unsafe, are beyond repair, or are at risk of collapse, including concrete slabs.
  

What types of debris and demolition ARE NOT eligible?

The following are not eligible for the PPDR Program:

• Vacant or Unimproved Properties: Debris on vacant lots, unimproved land, or areas not regularly maintained.

• Agricultural Land: Debris on land primarily used for agricultural purposes, including crops or livestock grazing.
  

What is a Right of Entry form, and why is it needed to participate in the PPDR program?

Before contractors can access private property for PPDR or demolition, all property owners must sign a Right of Entry (ROE) form. This form grants legal permission for contractors to enter the property to perform debris removal and/or demolition services.

Additional information about Right of Entry (ROE)

• Voluntary Participation: Signing the ROE form is voluntary. You can withdraw from the program any time before debris removal/demolition begins on your property.

• Ownership Documentation: If the private property in question is held in a trust, the authorized trustee must sign the ROE and provide trust documentation.

• Deceased Owners: If one of the property owners has passed away, a death certificate must be submitted.

Questions?

For more information, visit the PPDR application center at the Black Mountain Library during the days and hours listed above. You can also contact the Town of Black Mountain at 828-419-9300, option 5, from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday, or send an email to recovery@tobm.org. Visit the Buncombe County website for more information: buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=21861