Debris cleanup from the weekend’s winter storm is continuing in Chadron using city crews and volunteers, but there’s been a small change in the procedure.

The city originally asked that downed limbs and branches be piled next to the curb, not in the gutter, but now says actually putting them in the gutter makes it easier for crews to pick them up and remove them.

The piles should not take up any more room than a typical parked vehicle, and they should be far enough from any other parked vehicles that a loader can pick them up easily.

Chadron’s SWANN transfer station has two burn pits for limbs and other debris that can be burned. City Manager Wayne Anderson says both are full, but with plenty of room for piling more material nearby…where it can be pushed into the pits after they’re burned

Anderson says Chadron is also exploring the option of chipping up much of the debris using a rotary tub grinder. He says grants are available, but he’s not sure the city will qualify or how much renting or leasing a grinder would cost.

SWANN is continuing to offer extended hours for debris disposal at its Chadron, Crawford, Rushville, Hay Springs, and Harrison community sites of 7-6 Monday-Friday and 8-5 Saturday and Sunday.

SWANN is also preparing to receive the carcasses of cattle who died in the storm. Executive Director Jack Nemeth says the agency has begun digging a trench at its landfill north of Chadron for mass disposal of the carcasses that he hopes to have in operation tomorrow or Friday.

Nemeth is waiting for formal state approval, but says the DEQ gave him the ok to have a contractor start digging the trench while the paperwork goes through.

He asks that any farmer or rancher wishing to use the trench contact SWANN’s Chadron office to find out the process, rather than just hauling dead animals out to the site.