Statewide General Permit for Biosolids Management

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Comment From: Wa Dept of Ecology - SWM Progr... (William Harris)

6/21/21 @ 4:36 PM
The current SGP, at Section 9.3, requires that "[a]ll new land application sites, where nonexceptional quality biosolids will be applied, must be tested for the pollutants listed in WAC 173-308-160 Table 3 to determine background levels." However, th...↓

The Draft SGP includes similar language in Section 4.5.3, requiring that permittees "must test all new land application sites for the pollutants in Table 1 of WAC 173-308-160, including nitrate and other nutrients if specified." There is no mention of determining background levels as a rationale for this required testing. Is the draft SGP's omission of the clause "to determine background levels" intentional?
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Comment From: Trevor Dodge

6/21/21 @ 3:15 PM
Please don't allow this to go through. Think of the ecology on the downhill slope from this property.
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Comment From: Anonymous Anonymous

6/21/21 @ 1:43 PM
Sewage sludge (biosolids) is not a beneficial by-product of waste, and does not belong in agriculture settings. There are simply too many contaminants, and runoff affects non-target land and bodies of water. Please do not approve its use. Once approv...↓
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Comment From: Kyle Hartmeier

6/21/21 @ 9:00 AM
It meets the definition of a Fertilizer as defined by RCW 15.54.270

http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=15.54.270

Fertilizer tonnage tax and fees should be assessed by Washington State Department of Ag Fertilizer as well as product registration...↓
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Comment From: Anonymous Anonymous

6/20/21 @ 6:25 PM
Sewage sludge, Biosolids class A, and Biosolids Class B should not be allowed to be spread across a community's watershed, land. Until biosolids are required to be tested for all regulated contaminants that get tested for in public drinking water, th...↓
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Comment From: d robinson

6/19/21 @ 8:04 AM
I have just one word: NO! No bio solids on ag lands
It's time to stop spreading sewage sludge on our farms.
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Comment From: Linda Knowlton

6/18/21 @ 8:45 AM
Sewage Sludge should not be stored on any part of the Olympic Peninsula. We are endangering a prime water source. In the age of climate change fresh water is one of our most valuable resources.
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Comment From: Annie Herrera

6/18/21 @ 8:45 AM
This practice of spreading human waste and all it contains must end. It is now in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we use to recreate, and potentially our drinking water. Just stop!!
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Comment From: Devlan Pool

6/17/21 @ 3:03 PM
As more bio solids are becoming available it would be beneficial to reuse the solids in other applications in addition to farming. Other beneficial uses such as the state could use the class A bio solids to make earthen medians on the interstates hig...↓

The Centralia coal plant is scheduled to close down in a few years. The state could possibly procure this facility to burn bio solids and sell the ash that is produced.
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Comment From: Stanley Jackowski

6/17/21 @ 12:00 AM
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Comment From: Kari Mueller

6/16/21 @ 12:31 PM
When is the disposal of sewage sludge in any form on homes, farmland, forestland or parkland ever a good idea?

Please stop the insanity!
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Comment From: David Losie

6/15/21 @ 12:46 PM
Bio-solids do not belong on any soil, esp. farmland soil. The risks to the health to humans and all life that ingests and comes into contact with is extreme. Please read list below from a study done by the North Carolina department of health. All tox...↓
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Comment From: Lupito Flores

6/15/21 @ 7:51 AM
The application of sewage sludge is a dangerous and an unnecessary practice. The material is host to an unknown amount of contaminants which constantly go down the drain in municipalities. Sludge can include many chemicals, micro-plastics, pharmaceut...↓
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Comment From: Sheryl Krohne

6/15/21 @ 6:24 AM
Do not permit spreading biosolids (sewage sludge) on agricultural land. They are not safe if they get into the drinking water. Sludge should not be used as a fertilizer. It is not stored safely before use in many cases, and can contaminate food produ...↓
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Comment From: Linda Carroll

6/15/21 @ 12:29 AM
As an environmentally motivated voter and the daughter of a chemist who worked first in the food industry and then as a high school teacher, I am horrified and disgusted at the proposal to put biological waste on the plants that will become our food....↓
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Comment From: Jason Anonymous

6/14/21 @ 10:22 PM
I think this is acceptable.
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Comment From: Aileen Kane

6/14/21 @ 7:30 PM
I am completely opposed to using biosolids in agriculture and offering it for fertilizer to the public. It is a disaster waiting to happen, for our crops, for our rivers, wildlife and ground water when the rains come. Personally it's common sense not...↓
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Comment From: Kathleen Allen

6/14/21 @ 6:41 PM
Do not permit sewage sludge to be spread on farm, forest, parks or residential lawn.
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Comment From: Annette Cottrell

6/14/21 @ 5:52 PM
Please don't use or process biosolids on or near food sources. There are many ornamental applications it can be rerouted to. There is too much opportunity for cross contamination or mishandling or misprocessing and too many people with weakened imm...↓
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Comment From: Jody Thorsen Grage

6/14/21 @ 5:13 PM
To test for only nine heavy metals, nitrogen and selected pathogens is grossly inadequate. Until other chemicals, micro-plastics, pharmaceuticals, and the infamous alphabet soup of ubiquitous super toxins now headed by PFAS (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl...↓
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Comment From: Rose Fanger

6/14/21 @ 4:05 PM
Just because you spread sewage out and it seems to disappear doesn't mean it goes away. In fact its poison spreads a greater distance through uptake by air, plants and water. The only way to get rid of it is to quit making it. I don't know how to ...↓
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Comment From: Mary and Brian Jokela

6/14/21 @ 3:57 PM
Garbage out of the effluent, and garbage back in to our crops. Biosolids (the marketing name for sewage sludge) levels have been confirmed to be impossible to manage and contain toxic and hazardous elements. In 2018, the EPA's Office of Inspector Ge...↓

The material is apparently host to an unknown amount of contaminants which constantly go down the drain in municipalities. They test only for nine heavy metals, nitrogen and selected pathogens. Unexamined are the many chemicals, micro-plastics, pharmaceuticals, and the infamous alphabet soup of ubiquitous super toxins now headed by PFAS (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances).

Accordingly, we urge denial of any permit for biosolids on agricultural land.
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Comment From: Judy Avery

6/14/21 @ 3:53 PM
I am opposed to the use of bio-sludge, an end product of sewage sludge to be used to fertilize soil. Bio-sludge is not the same as carefully selected waste that is made into compost.
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Comment From: Mark Kreilkamp

6/14/21 @ 3:00 PM
New studies are coming out around the world criticizing the practice of conditioning soil with sewage sludge. Biosolids should not be permitted to be applied to land unless they have been tested and found to successfully meet standards established fo...↓

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Comment From: Kathleen Johnson

6/14/21 @ 2:19 PM
The smell when they spread the bio solids on hayfield is sickening. Plus traffic from trucks dumping sewage uphill from me is terrible. The biofield is on Web Hill Road, Shelton. I drink water from down hill well. I now have cancer. I can't prove co...↓
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Comment From: Julie Summers

6/14/21 @ 12:56 PM
The state of Washington must cease issuing any permit that allows the disposal of sewage sludge in any form on homes, farmland, forestland or parkland!
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Comment From: Carrie Anderson

6/14/21 @ 12:48 PM
PLEASE stop the disposal of chemically infused toxic sewage sludge on the land upon which we farm and play and work.

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Comment From: Ann Keane

6/14/21 @ 12:20 PM
I feels so primative to contaminate our water source of all well being to fertilize with our waste that includes bio pharmisudical. the current drugs taint our pristine eco system and this reflects the increase in immune system breakdown miss carriqa...↓
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Comment From: Terri Thomas

6/14/21 @ 12:06 PM
The State of Washington must cease issuing any permit that allows the disposal of sewage sludge in any form on homes, farmland, forestland or parkland.


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Comment From: Karen Rhodes

6/14/21 @ 12:00 PM
The State of Washington must cease issuing any permit that allows the disposal of sewage sludge in any form on homes, farmland, forestland or parkland.
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Comment From: caesare assad

6/14/21 @ 9:53 AM
"The State of Washington must cease issuing any permit that allows the disposal of sewage sludge in any form on homes, farmland, forestland or parkland."

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Comment From: Bonnie Mager

6/14/21 @ 9:53 AM
We strenuously oppose land application of sewage. The application of these substances is the same as playing Russian Roulett with our health and the health of generations to come. These harmful substances contaminate the ground and make our food host...↓
the many chemicals, micro-plastics, pharmaceuticals, and the infamous alphabet soup of ubiquitous super toxins now headed by PFAS (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl substances).
Before applying sludge, a rigorous testing criteria needs to be designed and executed to protect public health. It is the government's job to protect "We the People" from harmful chemicals indiscriminately flushed into our sewers. If we can't prove it is safe, we shouldn't be doing it. First, do no harm should be our motto.
Respectfully,
Bonnie Mager


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Comment From: nance van winckel

6/14/21 @ 9:50 AM
Please, no sludge in our waterways. We like to swim and fish in the rivers. Water is precious to our community. Thank you, Nance Van Winckel
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Comment From: Shawn Holmes

6/14/21 @ 9:05 AM
The use of this is a health and safety concern for the public, wildlife and ecosystems of the region among other unknown impacts bio solids will have when used in these ways. This decision does not seem to be backed by science or health and safety an...↓
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Comment From: Kate Ryan

6/14/21 @ 8:11 AM
It's unconscionable to allow the spreading of sewage sludge on any land, let alone our forests and farmland. If it were a matter of being nothing but poop and pee from healthy people not taking any medications, etc. I could probably go along with it....↓
If you cannot guarantee that every cubic yard of sewage sludge is completely safe of any contamination, regardless how small, it cannot be considered safe to apply to the landscape.
I have no interest in subjecting our forest and farmlands to a grand experiment with the repeated application of these products and their unknown contaminates. We simply do not know enough about what is in the stuff and what the long-and short-term effects might be.
Please do NOT allow this practice to continue. The health of future generations is likely at stake!
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Comment From: Diane Emerson

6/14/21 @ 7:35 AM
Having worked in the specialty chemical industry for 17 years, many of those years in production and research, I know what industrial companies put down the drain. I see how it is less costly to pay the fines than dispose of these toxic chemicals cor...↓

The idea of putting this sewage sludge on our farms, vegetable gardens and lawns scares me, because I know what could be in it. The thought of children playing and rolling around on grass fertilized with sewage sludge is abhorrent. How is it possible that the Department of Ecology, of all organizations, promotes this?

Recommendations:

1. I would like to see Ecology replace "best management practice" with "independent current science" as a guideline.

2. WA state needs to seriously research alternative methods of disposal such as pyrolysis, gasification or extraction of useful materials.

3. Finally, the state need to work on separating the human waste and food waste from the industrial waste. I don't put drain cleaner on my breakfast cereal. What goes into my body is far far safer than what industry dumps down the drain.
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Comment From: Sally Duffy

6/14/21 @ 4:49 AM
The use of sludge in farming and domestic growing represents a threat to our environment and soil. Please stop the spread of this dangerous practice.

Thank You,
Sally Duffy
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Comment From: Michael Pilarski

6/14/21 @ 1:40 AM
Dear Emily and Dept of Ecology,
I am writing to comment on the Statewide General Permit for Biosolids Management.

I strongly object to using biosolids for food production or on fields which will be used
for crop production in subsequent years.

I have bee...↓

Here is an alternative. Use the material to fertilize non-food timber crops. If you want advice on how to do this please contact me.

Please include my comments in your public comments.

Michael Pilarski
PO Box 1133
Port Hadlock, WA 98339
friendsofthetrees@yahoo.com
(360-643-9178
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Comment From: Lou Stone

6/13/21 @ 9:12 PM
Should we continue to issue permits to businesses and agencies that give them permission to spread sewage sludge on farmland and forest land?

NO!

Seriously? The public has to fight the WA State DOEcology to implement public health and related science?...↓

Of course none of this matters to the Department of Ecology, which is in the grip of the waste and other polluting industries. Ecology staff is very aggressive in pursuit of their "partnership" (Ecology caseworker's term) with one of the state's main wholesalers of sludge, Fire Mountain Farms. FMF has been repeatedly slapped on the wrist by its partner, Ecology, for code violations like storing chemical wastes in the same piles of "biosolids" that it land spreads around the state. FMF intentionally created a "mixed" product to spread on agricultural fields that sometimes was comprised of as much as 15% of listed hazardous waste. A search of Ecology documents by Yelm-based Preserve the Commons found that much of it was flammable with large quantities of paint thinner.

My main concern with a five-year re-authorization of how the Department of Ecology manages the program of land application of sewage sludge is that the material is host to an unknown amount of contaminants which constantly go down the drain in municipalities. They only test for nine heavy metals, nitrogen and selected pathogens. Unexamined are the many chemicals, micro-plastics, pharmaceuticals, and the infamous alphabet soup of ubiquitous super toxins now headed by PFAS (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances).

END permits and revoke existing permits to businesses and agencies that give them permission to spread sewage sludge on farmland and forest land!
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Comment From: Linda Braune

6/13/21 @ 8:25 PM
I vote NO! Protect Mill Canyon Watershed. Sewage Sludge has too many contaminants that can be passed to other areas in dust and into other owners' water supplies. Some things are tested for, but too many chemicals, micro-plastics, pharmaceuticals, ot...↓
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Comment From: Judy Golden

6/13/21 @ 3:53 PM
My family used to live in Mill Canyon and I still visit and have friends who live there and rely on the water there. Please don't allow the use of sewage sludge to empact the water in this and other rural areas. People leave cities in search of a mo...↓
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Comment From: Paula Atti

6/13/21 @ 12:54 PM
Biosolids need to be dealt with, but not by reintroducing these toxic materials back into our soils and water ways. Our vegetables and fruits are only as good as the soils that we grow them in. We should be rebuilding soils, not contaminating them...↓
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Comment From: Janet Migaki

5/25/21 @ 9:37 PM
Biosolids should not be permitted to be applied to land unless they have been tested and found to successfully meet standards established for contaminants regulated in drinking water. Toxic contaminants found in biosolids can be taken up by plants (e...↓
AND
contaminants in biosolids can find their way into surface waters and drinking water.
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Comment From: Olivia Stone

5/22/21 @ 10:56 AM
I am opposed to spreading biosolids only a few miles from my house since I rely on my well for drinking water. No government agency has tested my well or anyone elses in my neighborhood in Onalaska to check for contamination. If this dumping is to c...↓
Also, if biosolids are so safe, why aren't they used in cities on public parks and vegetation around the state capital and other government buildings as proof that they are safe and don't cause odors in the neighborhood??? Doing this would convince me that biosolids are safe and inoffensive.
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Comment From: Steve Reinhart

5/18/21 @ 4:27 PM
Having a Waste Water Treatment Plant operators license, I know a little about the high loads of toxics in processed sewage coming out of residuals wastewater treatment plants. I would like to know how you are planning to assess and then remove the to...↓
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