Sludge Watch ==> Synagro Spreading Sludge in Susquehanna State Park

[Maureen Reilly]

"The farm is part of Susquehanna State Park, a favorite spot for anglers, 
hikers and horseback riders. Neighbors have complained of truck traffic, 
odors and potential health hazards. They insist the county should not use 
parkland for sludge disposal."

". . . (Synagro)  also has acquired permits for Rocks Run and Palmer state 
parks . . . "

"We have permits in parks all across the state," said Brooke Henderson, a 
company spokeswoman. "

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.sludge01jul01,0,7152881.story?coll=bal-local-harford
Maryland News > harford county


Crying foul over sludge
Havre de Grace residents don't want material spread at state park
By Mary Gail Hare
Sun Reporter
Originally published July 1, 2007










Spreading sludge from Harford County's wastewater treatment plant on 
farmland in a state park has drawn the ire of nearby residents who do not 
want the common practice extended to public parkland.


Synagro Technologies Inc., the county's contractor, began hauling the 
sanitized byproduct, known as Class B biosolid, from the Sod Run treatment 
plant to a 108-acre farm near Havre de Grace last month.
The farm is part of Susquehanna State Park, a favorite spot for anglers, 
hikers and horseback riders. Neighbors have complained of truck traffic, 
odors and potential health hazards. They insist the county should not use 
parkland for sludge disposal.

"Our parks are protected," said Jeff Lawson, whose home on Quaker Bottom 
Road sits on the hauler's route to the park. "Why turn them into a dumping 
ground?"

His wife, Katharine M. Lawson, said, "We love this park. It should be kept 
clean."

The company, the largest recycler of organic residuals in the nation, has 
spread sludge on farm fields in the county for years. It holds the requisite 
state permits to spread biosolids at Susquehanna, and also has acquired 
permits for Rocks Run and Palmer state parks, but has yet to do so there.

"We have permits in parks all across the state," said Brooke Henderson, a 
company spokeswoman. "Biosolids are probably the single most researched and 
regulated agricultural amendment. It is a natural commodity used to increase 
crop yields."

The industry is strictly regulated, she said. Farmers interested in using 
biosolids must go through a stringent review and permitting process.

The Lawsons have contacted county and state officials in an attempt to halt 
the operation. In Delaware, legislation to ban sludge dumping in state parks 
is pending.

Del. Donna Stifler said public land should fall under stricter regulations 
than private farms. She has asked the Maryland Department of the Environment 
to look into more rigorous regulation and to seek the safest application 
process possible.

"The average person does not have the science background to know just what 
this is," said Stifler, a Republican whose district includes the park. "The 
bottom line is that it is filtered waste, and this is public property we are 
talking about."

Edward Dexter, administrator of MDE's solid waste program, said the state 
has allowed farmers leasing land in parks on the Eastern Shore to use 
biosolids for several years.

"This is not raw sewage," Dexter said. "This is a treated byproduct that has 
been through a process that significantly reduces pathogens. We are not 
dumping it. We are using it as a fertilizer in exactly enough amounts for 
crops planted this year."

Synagro and the county are trying to cooperate with the neighbors. When a 
truck spilled sludge on the Lawsons' street Thursday, county inspectors 
cleaned the site. During Friday morning's downpour, the company discontinued 
operation. Synagro has halved its truck trips and agreed to stop hauling for 
10 days to accommodate a neighbor holding a wedding at home.

Farm application is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of 
sludge, county officials said. Sod Run treats about 13 million gallons of 
wastewater a day and its byproducts are tested every two weeks, officials 
said. Biosolids, a largely organic byproduct, are what settles out during 
the process, said Joel Caudill, deputy director of the county's Department 
of Public Works.

"Our materials consistently meet state and federal requirements," Caudill 
said.

The biosolids are dried into a cake and then transported from the plant, 
usually to farming operations.

"It can help improve the soil," Caudill said. "It's high in nutrients and 
provides moisture. It's better than chemical nutrients, and there is a lot 
more scrutiny of its use."

The state frequently leases unused tracts in its parks for agriculture. Some 
farmers prefer biosolids to costly commercial fertilizers or manure. To 
receive sludge, farmers must create a nutrient-management program that 
includes a soil analysis.

MDE's permit details method of spreading, amount, soil analysis and crops 
that can be grown.

"This sludge tends to stay put and, over time, release nutrients," Dexter 
said. "This land has to be fertilized somehow, and this is the most 
effective way."