Member Pipeline - Regulatory - Alert (RA 01-09)
| To: | Members & Affiliates |
| From: | National Office |
| Date: | June 14, 2001 |
| Subject: | SIERRA CLUB’S DRAFT SEWAGE SLUDGE GUIDELINES |
| Reference: | RA 01-9 |
AMSA member agencies are facing an increasing number of public relations challenges as community and advocacy groups increase their scrutiny of biosolids land application practices. This increased level of involvement, however, has not enhanced general public understanding of the regulations and pollutant limits governing biosolids land application. AMSA recently obtained a draft of the Sierra Club’s Sewage Sludge Guidelines developed by the Sewage Sludge Task Force of the Club’s Waste Committee. The guidelines oppose the land application of biosolids, citing "inadequate federal regulations. . .which expose the [public] to hazardous constituents." The draft guidelines confirm the growing need for continued outreach and education on the federal regulations and pollutant limits that apply to biosolids land application activities. Once the Task Force has completed the draft guidelines, they will be forwarded to the Waste Committee where a decision will be made to accept or refuse the guidelines as Sierra Club guidance.
The Sierra Club’s draft guidelines serve to amplify the ongoing debate over the land application of biosolids. Last year the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified Class B biosolids as hazardous to workers and issued a precautionary statement to that effect. In March of this year, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) began a study on the land application of biosolids and its environmental sustainability. A recent meeting of the NAS panel in Orange County, California prompted the Riverside County, California Board of Supervisors to propose a ban on the land application of biosolids until the NAS biosolids study is completed.
AMSA is committed to maintaining open lines of communication with these organizations to ensure that land application remains the environmentally sound management option for AMSA’s members it is today. AMSA will send a letter to the Sierra Club to express our concerns with the lack of factual information and the inflammatory tone of the draft guidelines. We also continue to work with EPA as they review the federal regulations for pollutants in biosolids.
A copy of the Sierra Club’s draft guidelines is attached for your review. The Sierra Club is accepting comments from its membership on the draft guidelines through July 1, 2001 at doris@cellarius.net or alunger@juno.com. Please review the draft guidelines and consider what actions may be appropriate for your agency. We encourage you to consider commenting on the draft guidelines directly to provide facts and accurate information on biosolids, or meeting with representatives of the Sierra Club chapter in your area to discuss biosolids management issues.
It is evident that communication at the local level to ensure that affected communities have current, accurate biosolids information is essential. In addition, developing positive relationships with local advocacy groups is important. Plan now to attend AMSA’s Summer Conference The Biosolids Challenge . . . Ensuring Success, July 17-20 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This timely conference will focus on biosolids management and regulatory issues, and includes a workshop designed to enhance your ability to communicate on biosolids issues. You can register for the Summer Conference today at www.amsa-cleanwater.org.
If you have any questions or concerns on these issues, please contact Chris Hornback of AMSA’s National Office at 202/833-9106 or chornback@amsa-cleanwater.org.
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