Sludge Watch ==> Virginia - Nelson County asks state to delay biosolids plan

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

In this story you see a reference to 'organic fertilizer'.  This language 
causes confusion to the public.
First - this use of organic does not mean it complies with the standards of 
organic food production.
Indeed sludge is not allowed on organic farms.

Second is the term 'fertilizer'.  In many jurisdictions 'fertilizer' refers 
to a commercially sold soil ammendment that meets a regulatory requirement 
that manages fertilizers.  This may not be the case with sludge.  Sludge is 
more typically given away or farmers are paid to take it.  Sludge may not 
meet requirements for legislated fertilizer quality. Many jurisdictions in 
the USA do not have fertilizer regulations.

Canada has national requirements for fertilizers.  Canada has the Federal 
Fertilizer Act.
However since very little sludge is ever sold, the Fertilizer Act has no 
jurisdiction.

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


Nelson asks state to delay biosolids plan


LOVINGSTON -- Nelson County wants the state to delay approval of nine 
requests for a controversial organic fertilizer made out of sewage until the 
county can establish a monitoring ordinance.

The Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Tuesday to ask the Department of 
Health to put the brakes on plans to spread biosolids -- treated sewage 
sludge on 572 acres of county farmland.

The draft monitoring ordinance, under strict limitations set out by the 
state, would allow Nelson to monitor but not enforce compliance with 
Virginia biosolids laws.

"It appears you have very, very limited abilities in this field," county 
attorney Philip Payne said. "You can't create any regulations. You can't 
make any rules."

"It's pretty frustrating, I must say," said Supervisor Connie Brennan, who 
proposed that the county form a biosolids task force made up of residents 
and county and farm officials.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193230733&path=!news&s=1045855934842