Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Broken Arrow council adopts resolution opposing statewide ban on biosolids land application
Summary
The City Council approved Resolution 16-36 formally opposing Oklahoma bills that would restrict land application of treated municipal biosolids, directing the city manager to communicate the position to state lawmakers.
The Broken Arrow City Council on March 25 approved Resolution 16-36 formally opposing Oklahoma Senate Bill 03, Senate Bill 268 and House Bill 17 26, bills that would restrict or ban land application of treated sewer sludge and biosolids.
The resolution says the city supports science-based approaches to managing PFOS and PFOA in biosolids and urges the Oklahoma Legislature to work with the Department of Environmental Quality and local governments on “balanced and effective” regulations. It directs the city manager to send the council’s resolution to state legislators and asks residents and businesses to contact their state representatives about the proposed legislation.
Assistant City Manager Kenny Schwab and Utilities Director Tim Robbins briefed the council on the bills’ possible effects on municipal operations. Schwab told the council that a total ban on land application would leave municipalities with fewer disposal options—incineration, landfill or land application are the primary methods—potentially driving higher costs and landfill capacity problems. Robbins noted that the bills respond to EPA attention on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFOS and PFOA) but said EPA guidance is currently stronger for drinking water than for biosolids management.
Council members asked about operational and budget impacts. Schwab said the bills’ current timelines could require rapid reductions in land application (for example, a 25% reduction by September 2025 as drafted), which would strain municipal budgets and capital planning and could push treated solids into landfills that are not designed for high-liquid wastes. Robbins said a group of 11 Oklahoma municipalities representing roughly two million residents met with the DEQ to discuss the bills’ statewide impacts.
The council motion to authorize and execute Resolution 16-36 was moved, seconded and approved by roll-call vote. The resolution statement and the staff briefing emphasize support for peer-reviewed, science-based limits and for coordinating state and municipal approaches rather than an immediate statewide ban.
The city manager was directed to send the resolution to state leaders and stakeholders; the resolution also encourages community members to contact their state elected officials.
Sources: Assistant City Manager Kenny Schwab; Utilities Director Tim Robbins; City Manager Michael Spurgeon. The text of Resolution 16-36 was read into the record by Tim Robbins during the meeting.
