TL/DR –
Several counties in New York are taking action against the use of biosolids on farmland amid contamination concerns. Schoharie County recently implemented a moratorium on biosolid use, and Steuben County approved a resolution supporting state legislation to halt the practice. A farmer who brought the issue to his county board after researching the potential contamination of wells and soil by biosolids organized a hearing on the moratorium, which passed without opposition.
New York Counties Act Against Biosolids Use on Farmland
Mounting contamination concerns have prompted more counties in New York to intervene against the utilization of biosolids on farmland.
Schoharie County is the most recent to impose a moratorium on farmland biosolids use, with Steuben County supporting a resolution for statewide legislation to pause the practice.
Fred Risse, a Schoharie County farmer, chose not to use biosolids after researching its potential to contaminate wells and soil. He brought the issue to the county level after realizing the potential impact on his neighbors.
Risse arranged speakers for a public hearing on the moratorium, including agriculture experts from Cornell Cooperative Extension and New Scotland Town Supervisor Douglas LaGrange. The moratorium was passed unanimously.
Board member Donald Airey expressed his disappointment during the public hearing, questioning the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s endorsement of biosolids use.
Earlier this year, neighboring Albany County also enacted a moratorium, extending it through October. While Steuben County has not imposed a moratorium, it approved a resolution supporting state legislation for a five-year biosolids moratorium.
Steuben County Legislature Chairperson, Kelly Fitzpatrick, said the resolution aims to emphasize the concern about biosolids use to the state. Fitzpatrick added that rural Steuben County’s plentiful farmland made it a prime target for biosolids disposal.
However, the use of biosolids is not suitable for the environment, said Fitzpatrick, urging action from the state’s administration. Wayne Wells, a regular attendee at county legislature meetings, commended the counties’ actions, hoping it would lead to further steps towards resolution.
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