Board backs written support to amend DEQ agreement for Ruby Valley carcass compost product use

The Madison County Board of Health on March 17 voted to provide written support for amending a Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) agreement so finished compost may be removed and used from the Ruby Valley Carcass Composting Site.

Steve Primm and Neil Barnosky presented the board with a request to change the site's authorization to permit removal of finished compost. Dr. Douglas B. Young, D.V.M., expressed concerns about prions and potential liability in removing compost products. Primm cited ongoing research and told the board the risk of prion contamination is low and that he will pursue additional testing opportunities.

Following discussion, Dr. John Fountain moved “to recommend amending the DEQ agreement to support the removal and use of compost product from the Ruby Valley Carcass Composting Site,” and Margaret Bortko, FNP, DNP, seconded the motion. The minutes state that all members voted aye and the motion passed. The board agreed to provide written support for the amendment so Primm may present it to Montana DEQ.

The board did not detail a timeline for testing or the operational steps that would govern compost removal; Primm said he would continue research and seek further testing but the minutes do not specify required testing protocols or approval steps by DEQ.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: the county will prepare written support for Primm to submit to Montana DEQ; any regulatory approval and specific conditions for removal will depend on DEQ review and are not specified in the minutes.