Sludge Watch ==> Virginia - Bedford County seeks plan re sludge issues

[Maureen Reilly]

County seeks plan to deal with biosolids
By John Barnhart
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 10:41 AM EST


Although localities in Virginia can't regulate the storage of biosolids, or 
their application of farmland as fertilizer, there is still something they 
can do.

The Bedford County Planning Commission discussed this at its meeting Monday 
night.

Steve Stevick, who represents District 5 on the planning commission, said 
that he, Lynn Barnes, who represents District 2 and District 2 Supervisor 
Chuck Neudorfer recently met with representatives of the Virginia Department 
of Health to discuss the issue.

Stevick said that there are serious questions about the potential for there 
being long-term detrimental effects from applying biosolids to farm land. He 
also said that it appears that there is room for improvement as far as 
testing biosolids to see what is in them.

"It became apparent that more and more accurate testing is needed," he said.

George Nester, the county's planning director, said that state law allows 
localities to require local testing to make sure that what is being brought 
in is within parameters of the state permit under which the biosolids are 
being applied or stored. This can be done either by hiring staff to do the 
work or by contracting with consultants. In either case, the state health 
department will reimburse the locality for the cost of the testing.

"The key is that it won't be an arbitrary decision," Nester said after the 
meeting.

Steve Wilkerson, the planing commission's chairman, suggested that a county 
ordinance, which will have to be in place for the county to test biosolids, 
be drafted. The planning commission can then recommend that the board of 
supervisors hold a public hearing on it.

"Let's take this over as far as we can legally do it," commented county 
attorney Carl Boggess, noting that public sentiment favors the county taking 
action.

"What really divides the community is the question of whether it is safe," 
Stevick said.


This still leaves open the question of the smell. Biosolids is the name the 
federal Environmental Protection Agency coined for sewage sludge. What is 
being brought into Bedford County are Class B biosolids, which have not been 
as thoroughly treated as Class A biosolids.

Nester notes that the Class A biosolids have no odor, whereas the Class B 
biosolids have a strong odor of of sewage. Stevick said that this odor flies 
in the face of the county's comprehensive plan which seeks to promote 
tourism. He said that tourism will be a short-lived industry if visitors 
come to Bedford County and what they remember about the area, after their 
visit, is the smell of sludge.


http://www.bedfordbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/06/news/news02.txt