Cleanup CDA begins today

Coeur d’Alene residents have a cost-free opportunity to rid their properties of lingering storm debris.

The city’s “Cleanup CDA” initiative — created through a partnership with Cannon Hill Industries and Avista Utilities — aims to help property owners clear their yards of wood debris remaining from the damaging windstorm of November 2015.

Today through Wednesday, Feb. 17, large recycle bins will be placed in seven locations around Coeur d’Alene. Residents can place wood debris in these bins at no cost.

Street Superintendent Tim Martin coordinated the effort. He said city street crews continue to encounter many limbs and debris on residential streets.

“Our sweepers struggle to clean the streets in these conditions so we have had crews out cleaning, picking up branches for the last month or so,” Martin told The Press. “While crews have been working on this, they noticed in most residential areas that there was lots of debris laying in the yards. The crews wanted to do something to help our town.”

Martin said his department was in the middle of its annual leaf pickup when the devastating windstorm occurred.

“While juggling picking up leaves and clearing roads of trees and debris, we created a mountain of wood and limbs at our snow storage site off Hazel and 15th Street,” he said.

Martin said the wood debris has been sitting there since last fall, and he has worked with nonprofit groups to see if they would like the wood for elderly citizens.

He contacted the local office of Cannon Hill Industries — a company specializing in demolitions, land clearing, wood grinding and recycling — and asked if they would help dispose of the branches.

Cannon Hill was very supportive and said it would invite Avista to assist as well.

“We hope this becomes a true neighborhood helping neighborhood experience,” Martin said.

The bins will be placed at the following locations:

• Abbey Road off Nez Perce (near Dog Park)

• Phippeny Park parking lot off Seventh and Montana

• Hazel Avenue off 15th Street (Snow Storage Site)

• Walnut Avenue, 200 feet west of Seventh Street (Old Armory)

• Shadduck Park, east of 15th Street

• North Pines Park off Lunceford

• Sunset Park off Best Avenue

For additional information, call the Street Maintenance Information line at (208) 769-2233.