Sludge Watch ==> Pennsylvania - Group Urges Ban on Sludge Spreading

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/lehighton/all-b1_1sludgejul27,0,116484.story?coll=all-newslocallehighton-hed


July 27, 2006
Group urges ban on use of sludge

Tamaqua Council, others opposed to biosolids in area.


By Chris Parker Of The Morning Call

Communities can launch pre-emptive strikes against the use of biosolids — 
treated human sewage — by adopting an ordinance barring its use in their 
communities, representatives of a Franklin County organization told more 
than 100 people in Tamaqua on Wednesday.

The proposed ordinance, crafted by the Community Environmental Legal Defense 
Fund of Chambersburg, would primarily bar corporations from hauling or 
dumping sewage sludge in a municipality.



Fund project director Bill Price argued an ordinance is needed because 
regulatory agencies, such as the state Department of Environmental 
Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, fail to protect 
communities.

''The regulatory system is set up to ensure that communities lose'' and 
corporations win, he said.

He defined sewage sludge as ''everything that goes down the toilet'' 
including industrial and medical waste. He said sludge contains more than 
600 toxins, only 11 of which are regulated by government agencies.

Wednesday's session was hosted by Tamaqua Borough Council and held at the 
Tamaqua Community Center.

Council has not considered the ordinance. However, on June 20 it adopted a 
resolution opposing the land application of sewage sludge. A request to use 
the sludge on farmland was made in Schuylkill Township. Tamaqua council is 
against the proposal.

Councilwoman Cathy Miorelli said council adopted an ordinance in 2003, but 
the proposed one would be more effective.

In addition to barring corporations from bringing in sewage sludge, the 
ordinance also would stop individuals from using sludge unless it has been 
tested for compliance with state regulations and gives residents as well as 
local government the authority to enforce the ordinance.

But it would challenge rules that say municipalities cannot trump state law. 
State law says municipalities may not outlaw the spreading of sewage sludge 
on private property.

Elaine Whitecavage of Middleport said she hoped the session would encourage 
''people to put their foot down and stop the sludge.''

''Pennsylvania was a beautiful state, but they are turning it into a 
cesspool,'' she said.

Mayor Christian Morrison opened the session, urging the audience to ''take 
back local control.''

Dante Picciano, a Tamaqua area environmental activist, called on the crowd 
to stand up to corporations and to state and federal government.

''People…have the right to determine what is dumped in their communities,'' 
he said.

Neighboring West Penn Township on June 10 adopted an ordinance authorizing 
inspections of operations that apply it.

It also requires haulers to register with the township and provide the same 
information required by DEP.

In January, the owner and the operator of a Lower Towamensing Township farm 
where tons of sewage chris.parker at mcall.com

610-379-3224