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00C <br /> 2 <br /> The purpose of this agenda item is to receive the <br /> resolutions of the Bingham TAC regarding the OWASA <br /> land application of municipal sludge program, forward <br /> by the TAC to the Planning Board on April 11r 1985 <br /> and attached to minutes of that meeting. <br /> OWASA has conducted a program in Orange County <br /> providing for land application of treated municipal <br /> sludge at agronomic rates since the 19701x. This <br /> program was established in cooperation with the farm <br /> community, specifically, the Soil Conservation <br /> Service. OWASA currently conducts these operations <br /> under agreement with the owners on 8 privately owned <br /> farms in Orange and Chatham Counties, most of which <br /> are located in the Collins Creek sub-basin. Recently, - <br /> OWASA proposed to purchase two properties (Headwaters <br /> and Durham Heirs tracts) upon which, to conduct <br /> similar operations under OWASA ownership. In the case <br /> of one of the parcels, OWASA was required to prepare <br /> an Environmental Impact Statement in order to obtain <br /> federal funding for purchase of the tract. For all <br /> properties utilitiaed in the program OWASA is <br /> required to obtain and operate under Department of <br /> Environment Management permits. <br /> The Bingham TACT along with several other township <br /> residents, have expressed concern about OWASA's <br /> proposed land application of municipal sludge to <br /> OWASA-owned property. Concerns were also raised <br /> about the conduct of OWASA operations on privately- <br /> owned farmlands under active Department of <br /> Environmental Management permits. <br /> The Planning Department's interpretation of the <br /> provisions of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance as <br /> they apply to the OWASA program and operations on <br /> both privately owned and OWASA owned property is <br /> outlined in the attached April 190, 1985 letter from <br /> OWASA.. The letter specifically states that the <br /> current proposed operations are exempt from <br /> regulations under the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. <br /> The Board may wish to forward these concerns to the <br /> Board of Commissioners for their consideration. <br /> The staff interpretation in this matter may be <br /> appealed, however, only to the Board of Adjustment. <br /> Gordon stated that the Bingham TAC is advisory to the <br /> Planning Board and in that capacity it is aware of <br /> real concerns regarding the OWASA operation. <br /> However, the Planning Director has ruled that the use <br /> falls outside of the Zoning Ordinance regulations for <br />