Thursday, June 20, 2002

Butler regulates biosolids
Township ordinance requires $38 per ton testing fee
by LISA COONEY
Correspondent
mailto:lcooney@republicanherald.comlcooney@republicanherald.com

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Butler Township has followed the lead of other local
municipalities by approving an ordinance that regulates the use of biosolids.

Township solicitor John Hampton, of Hampton & Hampton, Fountain Springs,
called the ordinance "strong." He noted it was based on an example
provided by the Community Legal Defense Fund.

The Butler Township Sewage Sludge Safety Ordinance requires registration
of each sludge site and land applicant operating in the township. A
highlight of the ordinance includes a testing fee of $38 per ton and
requires the testing of each truckload applied in the township.

There will also be an undetermined administrative fee for processing of
the permits. A schedule of dates and times the land application will occur
must be provided. The ordinance also requires the applicant to obtain a
valid Department of Environmental Protection permit.

Failure to comply with the ordinance is a summary offense, according to
Hampton.

Violators could be imprisoned and fined up to $1,000 per day when not in
compliance with the new regulations.

Township resident and Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association member David
Kramer called the new ordinance "a step in the right direction."

He commented that the association is presently working with an
environmental lawyer from Harrisburg to compose an encompassing ordinance
regulating the use of biosolids.

He stressed the need for uniformity among local municipalities regarding
this issue.
Kimberly L. Snell-Zarcone
Staff Attorney
Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future
610 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA  17101
phone - (717) 214-7920
fax - (717) 214- 7927
<http://www.pennfuture.org/