Sludge Watch ==> Ontario Govt to hold regional meetings on sludge biosolids

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Regional meetings where the Ontario government explains its confusing 
mishmash of unenforceable guidelines, unimplemented nutrient management 
requirements, and nonexistant public health protection programs will be very 
entertaining.

Recently the government refused to send staff to rural municipalities to 
explain the  array of policies and programs that are supposed to govern 
sludge practices.

Currently there are no limits on the pathogens or bacteria levels allowed in 
land applied sludges.
Untreated septic wastes continue to be spread on fields. Almost no one in 
government can even answer questions about what is and isn't allowed.  Even 
Toronto's sludge pellets have entered the marketplace illegally....out of 
compliance with the Fertilizer Act.

Stay tuned.
.........................


Regional meeting on biosolids might be held in Trent Hills
Posted By Brian Schuette
Thurs Feb 6, 2008


Trent Hills – The province will hold regional meetings to explain its 
biosolids program.

Trent Hills CAO Mike Rutter has offered to hold the local conference in the 
municipality. "We’re sort of the centre of the universe surrounding that 
issue," Rutter said at council this week.

Rutter said the government apparently recognizes it needs to communicate 
more effectively on what it's doing and what its policies are concerning the 
use of biosolids on agricultural land.

Rutter said public consultation will be conducted regionally because the 
government wants to "make sure that they have the right people there to 
answer the questions." He said it might be difficult to get experts to 
attend several smaller meetings in each community where there are concerns, 
and that it would be easier to arrange one larger forum where everyone could 
attend.

Rutter hasn’t received an answer yet on his offer to hold the meeting in 
Trent Hills, but was told it will be taken into consideration.

No date has been set for the conference.

http://www.communitypress-online.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=891038