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Legislator to seek moratorium on biosolids land application; county staff flag PFAS concerns
Summary
A county legislator said he will draft a resolution next month to consider a moratorium on land application of biosolids while the county gathers information; Director Ryder noted DEC PFAS testing and stressed digesters may be preferable to landfilling but that PFAS remains a systemic issue.
A committee member said constituents have asked for scrutiny of land application of biosolids, and he will work with legislative counsel to circulate a proposed moratorium resolution next month to gather information on Ulster County’s role and potential regulatory responses.
Legislator Nolan said the moratorium would be used to collect facts and that the state Department of Environmental Conservation is bringing forward more stringent biosolids rules; Nolan invited agency input as he works on a draft.
Chair noted that biosolids can contain ‘‘forever chemicals’’ and Director Ryder said the DEC has tightened PFAS testing for biosolids used for composting. Ryder told the committee the county currently ships about 3,000 tons of sewage sludge out of county for processing and said the agency has asked Global Energy questions about whether sludge is part of the proposed feedstock. "Until we stop making forever chemicals ... we're gonna have forever chemicals in our waste," Ryder said, adding that his preference is to treat organics by digestion rather than leaving them in a landfill if quality controls allow beneficial reuse.
No formal action was taken; committee members encouraged further information‑gathering and coordination with state agencies before any moratorium or local policy action.
