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Department of Ecology News Release - December 16, 2002
02-227
YAKIMA - Sumas Transport Inc. will pay for a study exploring the potential environmental and human health effects of applying biosolids to rangeland as part of a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology)
Last spring, the Bellingham biosolids hauler and applicator was fined $28,000 for over-applying municipal sewage sludge, also known as biosolids, on land in the Horse Heaven Hills of Benton County.
In November 2001, Ecology determined that the company was applying biosolids to fields at a rate nearly two times greater than allowed. In February of this year, a large volume of biosolids was found in seasonal stream gullies.
"We should gain valuable information about application rates for biosolids from this study," explained Darlene Frye, Ecology's solid-waste manager in Yakima. "Innovative settlements like this allow the participants to do something that both benefits our communities and the environment."
As part of the penalty settlement, Sumas will spend $13,000 for the study, and Ecology will reduce the overall penalty by $5,000. If Sumas commits no further biosolids violations in the state over the next two and a half years, Ecology will retire the remaining $10,000 penalty. Should violations occur, the $10,000 penalty must be paid. Also, Ecology has rewritten Sumas' permit conditions, and public notice is currently being conducted on the new permit.
Land Profile Inc. of Yakima will undertake the study, which is expected to be completed by the winter of 2005.
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager (509) 575-2610, or pager (509) 574-0490
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
