Robert Hearn, environmental engineer of the Department of Public Works’ Environmental Division, said city and parish officials are working to clean up debris in Baton Rouge after Hurricane Isaac. Cleanup began Sept. 3 in ZIP codes 70815 and 70805 and is expanding throughout the parish in the coming weeks.

Officials are following FEMA guidelines for debris pickup to be reimbursed for the expenses related to cleaning up. The program’s goal is to clean up the entire parish in 45 days, but depending on the amount of debris, it is possible the cleanup could take longer, Hearn said. He said the best way to expedite the process is for residents to make efforts to clean their own yards.

The first pass-through of cleaning will be only for wood waste like tree limbs and brush, Hearn said. Residents should not put their wood in bags because the wood can be recycled instead of going to landfills.

Residents in the areas of Baker, Central, Zachary and the campuses of Southern University and LSU are not a part of the parish cleanup because they have separate contractors, Hearn said.

Tips for Cleaning Up:

· Separate your piles of debris.

· Put wood waste on your curb. Do not place in bags.

· Do not place debris piles near mailboxes, street signs or power lines.

· Do not wait to put debris out.

· For more information about cleanup, visit brgov.com or call 311.