Sludge Watch ==> South Carolina - Gasconia sludge headed out for land application

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Sludgewatch Admin:

This story is at pains to state that sludge is spread on fields of fescue 
(not for human consumption).
But this misses the point that animals grazing the sludged fields produce 
meat and milk for human consumption.  And fields don't stay is one crop 
forever.

Usually pasture lands are rotated into other crops every few years. The 
sludge contamination, (certainly the heavy metals, PBDE, PCBs and dioxins) 
remain in the soil.

............................................................................................

http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/5849.html


Saturday, August 19, 2006

Search: Yorkcounty.com


Sludge appears headed to area
State gives initial approval to distribution of N.C. sewage
By Adam O'Daniel · Enquirer-Herald


The city of Gastonia, N.C., got initial approval this week to spread sludge 
on 414 acres owned by seven farmers near York and Clover.

According to a letter from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental 
Control, officials reached a decision Tuesday to give Gastonia a permit to 
spread the sewage, called sludge, on area farmland at no charge to farmers.

The decision arrived after eight months of controversy and bickering between 
farmers and nearby residents who claim the sludge will be harmful to the 
environment, create foul odors and lower property values.

DHEC granted the permit because the proposed sites met all requirements for 
sludge application, according to the letter.

The original request was for 796 acres, but 382 acres were deleted after 
several owners of the 12 pieces of property pulled out. The permit requires 
farmers to fence fields fertilized with sludge if the field is used for 
animal grazing. They must wait 30 days before letting animals access those 
fields, the permit states.

State and federal rules dictate where sludge can be used, how much can be 
used and where it can be applied. Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the city 
of Rock Hill already spread sludge in parts of York County. Farms that 
accept the sludge grow fescue for hay and animal feed and nothing for human 
consumption.

Aug. 30 deadline to appeal

Opponents have until Aug. 30 to appeal the decision. A date for farmers to 
begin spreading sludge has not been set.

"I wish I could give you a timeline, but there are too many unknowns," said 
Larry Cummings, Gastonia's wastewater treatment division manager. "If the 
permit is not appealed, then we might be able to apply to some fields this 
fall, but more likely next spring."

John Davidson, a farmer approved to use the sludge, said he's glad to 
finally get an answer. With fertilizer prices soaring past $350 a ton, he'll 
save $2,000 a season by using sludge.

"It's been going on for awhile," Davidson said. "Fertilizer is getting 
expensive."

Davidson said he fertilizes heavier in the spring anyway, so he'll be 
patient if an appeal causes delays.

Doris Thomas, president of the Willow Creek Neighborhood Association in 
Clover, said she is disappointed with the decision. She said the group of 68 
homeowners convinced two farmers to pull out of the project this spring. The 
group still strongly opposes the sludge, and Thomas said they'll meet before 
making a decision about filing an appeal.

"If an appeal is something they want to do, then I'll do it," Thomas said. 
"But there's really nothing left to say. The farmers are within the law, and 
it's their right."

Thomas wasn't surprised to hear the outcome after learning at an April 
hearing that public opinion wasn't DHEC's main concern. Instead, DHEC 
officials told neighbors unless they provided sound, legal evidence against 
the use of sludge, the permit would be approved.

But Thomas said she's still concerned about the long-term effects treated 
human waste could have on the area.

"It just feels wrong," Thomas said. "The concern for the greater community 
is still there."

To appeal the decision, a written request for a final review should be sent 
by Aug. 30 to Clerk of the Board, S.C. DHEC, 2600 Bull St., Columbia SC 
29201.

Adam O'Daniel · 684-9903 | aodaniel at enquirerherald.com