Culpeper, Va.—Finding a location for storing biosolids fertilizer for use by area farmers is a serious problem for Recyc Systems and its associate Padlands Inc. “It’s a constant battle to find places for our storage. It’s always going to be a problem,” Recycle Systems President Steve Foushee told Green Markets after the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors voted 5-1 to deny a use permit for a local facility because of strong local objections mainly because of odors and traffic. The Culpeper area became the latest example where, after a recent marathon public hearing during which both sides had their say, it took the board of county supervisors only 100 minutes to turn down the storage facility. It was a situation where those in favor were totally outnumbered by nearly 100 residents who opposed the proposal, even though Recyc Systems and Padlands Inc. had offered several concessions modifying their proposal. Even members of 4-H and FFA turned out in support of the Foushee and Recyc Systems, pointing out their contribution to the community. But community members had circulated a petition citing concerns over odors of the facility, depreciating property values, historic battlefield sites in the area, truck traffic, and environmental reasons, primarily focused on the nearby Rappahannock River. Foushee said he’s already identified several sites, including one in Culpeper county and several in other counties, that he’s looking into. “Finding a site for a routine storage facility is always going to be a problem because of access for truck traffic and other concerns (like) keeping everybody happy,” he noted. “But we’ve been diligent and confident we’ll find something in the near future.”
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain