Resident urges caution on biosolids, solar siting and buried pipelines

Resident Ned Berkey told the board he wanted to update commissioners on agricultural matters affecting Monroe County, citing national and local concerns. "Just for your information, in 2024, the average US farm received 11.8¢ of every dollar spent domestically on food sold in retail outlets," Berkey said, using that figure to illustrate declining farmer sentiment even as some crop prices rise. He framed the data as context for local farming challenges.

Berkey spent most of his public comment addressing biosolids (sludge) application and the county's emerging solar projects. He said trucks applying injected sewage byproducts commonly leak or spill and urged adherence to setbacks from homes, wells and drainage ditches. Berkey warned that where injection is not followed, "you try to call Eagle, and, good luck trying to get them out to regulate them." He also told the board about concerns that installing solar infrastructure near transmission lines increases the risk of damaging buried pipes during construction and cited a past local incident that led to a fatal explosion as a cautionary example.

Berkey urged townships and utilities to plan for repowering of solar sites (replacing equipment rather than full removal) and to address security risks from drones and sabotage. He also reported ongoing local sinkhole and groundwater issues and said a planned fall tour will examine wells and karst features. The board did not take action during the comment period; commissioners thanked Berkey for his information and noted the items would inform future discussions.