Agenda - 10-13-2009 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 hearing from OWASA, Health and BREDL representatives, amemorandum (attached) was conveyed in May 2008. Over the subsequent year, a number of memoranda, letters and proposals were developed or conveyed by the Board, CFE, Health Department and NCDWQ on the Burlington permit and larger biosolids application issues. A chronological timeline of this correspondence and related discussion is provided in the attached timeline. In the fall of 2008, the Commission for the Environment continued its exploration of the topic, gathering information on biosolids application from studies, a report from a CFE member with experience in biosolids research, and other sources. As a result of this review, in April 2009 the CFE sent a second memorandum to the Board (attached) suggesting a joint task force be formed with representatives from the CFE, Board of Health and other groups as decided by the Board. The memo also identifies several topics and potential issues for potential review. In December of 2006, the BOCC approved funds from the Health Department budget to be used for a contract with UNC School of Public Health to conduct a pilot study of biosolids applications and methods of measuring potential effects on the environment and on health. After encountering difficulties in identifying a suitable site for such a study, the Health Director met with UNC faculty members in 2009 about the future of the planned research pilot study. Although there was agreement from two landowners to participate in the study, the research team from UNC and NCSU felt that there were insufficient funds to result in a meaningful study. The Health Department recognized the continued need to address community concerns and proposed to re-direct a portion of the funds to hold a regional knowledge and science-based forum with land application of biosolids as the topic. A planning committee with Cooperative Extension, UNC, NCSU and several other agencies developed an agenda for the forum that would provide the public with information on the biosolids process, the state of current regulations, past, ongoing and future research efforts, and the management of health risks. Redirection of the funds was not approved. Additionally, the Board has previously received information from the County Attorney indicating the legality of county regulation of biosolids application. On October 7, management and staff met to discuss possible scenarios for furthering awareness and identifying potential action. The issue of biosolids application is one that transcends many boundaries. tt is simultaneously an agricultural, environmental, public health and land use issue, with financial and economic ramifications for wastewater providers and farmers. Any response to this topic will require a multi-disciplinary effort drawing from multiple resources within and outside of County government. One option that was identified melds the essence of both the CFE and Health Department proposals and engages the agricultural community. This proposal would feature a facilitated public education forum designed to provide for an unbiased perspective on the scientific research to date on biosolids application, while still allowing for diversity of review and discussion. Fortunately, this topic is one that has been of great interest in many localities across the nation and a wide range of research and data exists