Philadelphia-A small-scale revolt of sorts is being staged by a handful of townships and other municipalities against state control over using biosolids as fertilizer. The attorney general has filed suit in Commonwealth Court against East Brunswick under the state’s ACRE (Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment) law, asserting that the state – and not local government – has the authority to regulate the use of biosolids. In the meantime, other areas in Schuylkill County, including Tamaqua and Mahanoy City boroughs, have joined East Brunswick in passing biosolids ordinances. Earlier this month, Branch Township passed a land application and storage of sewage sludge ordinance, and also voted for a resolution to support East Brunswick Township’s court case. ACRE, which was adopted by the legislature in 2005, allows for the state attorney general to review local ordinances when petitioned to do so by farmers, and then either respond to the petitions or bring action within 120 days. An ordinance can be struck down if the court finds it exceeds local government authority.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain