Bio-solids issue up in the air
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
A group of county residents met this week hoping to hear answers about the growing use of bio-solids on local fields.
About 50 residents attended the county commission's work session hoping to hear of a solution the county could offer.
"The odor is horrific," said Frankie Britnell, who lives in Newburg.
Britnell said farmers spreading bio-solids, which is composed of human waste, could be polluting the land.
"It's a problem for everybody who takes a drink of water," Britnell said, adding that the remnants of the bio-solids usage could be washing into local streams and lakes.
Bio-solids are being distributed to farmers by using waste products from New York.
"Do we want to be known as New York City's septic tank?" Britnell said.
Probate Judge Barry Moore said the county commission has been looking into what can be done to deal with the distribution of bio-solids, but at the time, the commission's hands are tied.
After seeking advice from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Gov. Bob Riley, Attorney General Troy King and the local legislative delegation, Moore said there is little the commission can do.
State Sen. Roger Bedford (D-Russellville), who also serves as county attorney, said the county cannot stop the use of bio-solids because Alabama is governed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
"As much as I would like for the judge and commission to ban it, they just can't do it," Bedford said.
Some members of the crowd referred to a move made by the Limestone County Commission that stopped the use of bio-solids in that county.
Bedford said that was not the case.
"Limestone County did absolutely nothing."
The county commission there discussed filing a court motion, but company officials handling the use of bio-solids stopped its distribution at that time.
"The county commission and city government does not have the authority," Bedford said.
"As far as me being able to tell you the county commission could stop this just wouldn't be the truth."
