Biosolids foes gain legislative support

Montgomery, Ala.-Synagro Technologies is facing a possible revolt of sorts in three counties over bringing in biosolids from New York and other states for use as fertilizer on area farms. Opponents are taking advantage of a unique law that allows local municipalities to gain jurisdiction in these matters through constitutional amendment and referendum. “The principal concern is that there are some biosolids being brought in from out of state and being land-applied,” Joseph Page, executive vice president and general counsel for Synagro, which has dealt successfully with similar concerns in other parts of the country, told Green Markets. “Part of our operation involves bringing in treated biosolids from New York. But there are also other land-appliers bringing in from Georgia and other states.” The state senate already has passed a local Franklin County amendment that would allow voters to decide whether to prohibit biosolids as fertilizer, and another proposed amendment is in the works for Colbert County. A third amendment is on the House calendar for Lawrence County. One of the sponsors in the Senate complained to the local press about sewage from out of state being applied to fields in Franklin County, likely because it’s cheaper than commercial fertilizer. “Residents don’t want New York waste dumped on fields in their county,” he declared. “I’ve been down there to where they do this. It smells.” Page said his company has been responding on several fronts. “We’ve engaged actively with local, county and state and also legislative officials trying to get good information to them about the biosolids industry and particularly the land application business in Alabama,” he reported. He said in reality the state does not have specific regulations, but does have oversight through the Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management, with which the company has good interaction. “It’s my understanding that some of the farmers also are sending letters and are engaging in the legislative process with other communication with their representatives and county in support of the program,” he added.