Sludge Watch ==> US - Report violations online www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Sludgewatch Admin:
There is very very little monitoring of sludge spreading, very little 
investigation of complaints, and very little enforcement of the 503s or 
state/local regs.  (see Report of the EPA Ombudsman).

There needs to be close monitoring of any sludge disposal and enforcement of 
all regulations.
If there were actual paper permits required for every sludge spreading site, 
then the public and local officials could more easily monitor and more 
effectively report violations.

Bring on real live permits for each farm or reclamation site!

Here is what the US EPA is doing:

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



EPA continues to actively address biosolids violations and require the 
proper land-application of biosolids to prevent risk to human health or the 
environment.

EPA Regions and the States have the responsibility to address situations 
where compliance monitoring, compliance assistance and enforcement actions 
to address biosolids violations are appropriate and necessary.

If additional requirements are put in place to address additional 
environmental risks to human health and the environment, EPA will 
re-evaluate whether there is a need to increase compliance and enforcement 
resources allocated to the biosolids program. Meanwhile, EPA (Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance) has developed a new look for its home 
page, where a new badge button now invites the public to report possible 
environmental violations or crimes.

OECA will also be working to improve current processes for routing and 
tracking citizen tips and enhancing efforts to inform the public about 
possible environmental violations. For example, the following website makes 
it possible for the public to be a part of EPA's work:

www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html