A November 29 Baltimore Sun blog post discusses the recent decision by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to delay the publication of proposed regulations regarding that would limit the spreading of sewage sludge on farmland. The delay is to give more time to try address competing criticisms raised by both the environmental and agricultural communities. The regulations would affect some local governments who dispose of sewage sludge through spreading as they would be required to construct expensive holding facilities to keep the sludge during the winter months when the spreading would be prohibited.
“We were contacted by stakeholders on all sides (ag, enviros, locals) and asked to discuss a little more the draft regulations,” MDA spokeswoman Julianne Oberg said in an email. “We’re affording that opportunity, and will be resubmitting soon.” …
Jen Brock-Cancellieri, deputy director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, emailed that she was “encouraged” the administration had pulled the regulations for further consideration. Environmentalists had complained especially about a recent change that would let farmers keep spreading animal manure or sludge in the late fall, when it’s likely to pollute streams and ground water.
The Dagger, a Harford County news site, had reported that MDA indicated it would try to hammer out some consensus among the various disputants over the next two months. But Oberg said officials have set no time frame for the consultations.
I hope that there is more regulation on sewage sludge and animal manure. It’s use on agricultural land can lead to polluting the rivers and then oceans. The gulf of mexico for example has hypoxia (or oxygen deficient dead spots) this is because of sewage, manure, and other agricultural pollutions that run off into our water. Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention I will have to watch for further development in Maryland. We only have one environment and I hope we can keep it clean. I am glad that you are aware of this important issue and encourage you to put updates on it, I would like that very much. Thanks for the great post.
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