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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: December 12, 2006 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. _~ <br />SUBJECT: Agreement with UNC School of Public Health for Biosolids Application Study <br />DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Draft Agreement Rosemary Summers, 245-2411 <br />PURPOSE: To approve an agreement with the UNC School of Public Health for a pilot study of <br />a biosolid application site in Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: Orange County is tenth in the number of biosolid application sites throughout <br />the state. Given the numbers of sites scattered throughout the County, Health Department staff <br />believe that further study of biosolid application sites is warranted, but do not feel that there is <br />sufficient staff time or equipment to conduct the studies in the manner required. Biosolids <br />application is permitted and regulated by the Division of Water Quality at the North Carolina <br />Department of Environment and .Natural Resources. The Orange County Board of Health's <br />rules on groundwater protection include local staff monitoring of biosolid application sites during <br />the application process on. a periodic basis. Problems identified are referred to the Division of <br />Water Quality for action. <br />The Bradshaw Quarry Road community has a continuing concern regarding the biosolids <br />application site that is in that community. Members of this community have met with <br />environmental health staff over the past several years with concerns relating biosolid application <br />to health issues in the community. Orange County staff members approached faculty at the <br />School of Public Health's Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department (ESE) to assess <br />whether there would, be faculty and/or student interest in pursuing a pilot study in the Bradshaw <br />Quarry Road area. <br />Dr. Marc Sobsey and Dr. Chip Simmons, two faculty members in the ESE Department, are <br />interested in working with the Health Department on designing a pilot study that will meet the <br />needs for this community and perhaps will lead to a larger collaborative grant proposal for a <br />more extensive study of biosolid application sites. The study design will include air quality <br />sampling at a baseline (prior to biosolid application) and at a time shortly after application of <br />biosolids. In addition, stream sampling at public access areas will be set up so that measures <br />can be taken prior to biosolid application and after a significant rainfall. The decision regarding <br />