Sludge Watch ==> Harford County MD- Synagro sludge dumped in park - watch video

[Maureen Reilly]

Go to this address to watch the news video:
www.wbaltv.com/video/13506872/index.html?taf=bal


Residents Turn Noses At Sludge Dumped In Park

POSTED: 5:41 pm EDT June 14, 2007


HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. -- People in one Harford County neighborhood are looking 
for answers as to why sewage sludge has been dumped in a state park near 
their homes.

The state has insisted dumping sewage sludge is a practice that poses no 
threat.

But people living near the Susquehanna State Park in Havre de Grace are 
wondering why the law allows the material to be dumped in a state park.


"It's been terrible. It's an all day onslaught -- from 6 or 7 in the morning 
until 6 in the evening," said Kathy Lawson, a resident who lives up against 
the park. "We cannot buy this stuff for our gardens and our yards. It has to 
be applied by a certified professional. So, therefore, I consider it unsafe 
materials."

Lawson is one of several people who have lots of problems with a practice 
that the state is telling them is perfectly safe and routine.

"You think being near the state park, it's going to be clean and things are 
kept nice for you. And to find sewage sludge being put in the park -- I find 
it's outrageous," Lawson said.

"We've been told it's safe. We've been told that everybody does it -- that 
there's no problems and that they're following the law," said Debra Payne, 
who also lives near the park. Her street is less than a mile from the 
Susquehanna River.

"My understanding is that the Susquehanna runs into the Chesapeake Bay, and 
that the Chesapeake Bay is protected. So what's stopping it from running 
into the water that's protected?" Payne asked.

Maryland's Department of the Environment told 11 News that the contractor, a 
company called Synagrow, has an excellent track record and that the work is 
permitted by law.

Synagrow told 11 News "we're sympathetic to the neighbors concerns, but our 
work doesn't threaten the environment or public health. We've been in 
communication with the neighbors and will continue to be."

MDE said the sludge benefits the land by adding needed nutrients, but the 
neighbors said they still don't buy it.

"As many studies as there are that say it's safe, there are as many studies 
that say it's not safe and that they've even stopped this practice in some 
European countries because it's unsafe," Payne said.

MDE has scheduled a meeting with the people living near the park to provide 
more information and answer their questions.

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/13505957/detail.html