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Steuben County enacts six‑month moratorium on new biosolid spreading permits amid PFAS concerns
Summary
The Legislature adopted Local Law No. Seven to bar issuance of new biosolid spreading permits (excluding municipal permits) for six months while awaiting NYS DEC rulemaking; supporters cited PFAS contamination concerns and examples from other states, while some officials worried about long‑term impacts on municipalities and farming practices.
The Steuben County Legislature adopted Local Law Tentatively No. Seven on May 18, 2026, imposing a six‑month moratorium on issuance of new biosolid (sewage sludge) field‑application permits within the county, excluding municipal permits. Sponsors said the pause is intended to await forthcoming New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) regulations and to protect county lands and water from PFAS, the so‑called “forever chemicals.”
Public commenters and legislators who supported the moratorium recounted local contamination concerns and referenced testing in other states. Opponents and some municipal representatives warned of downstream costs if spreading options are constrained; one legislator said the moratorium is a reasonable short term step while regulators finalize standards. The local law becomes effective immediately upon passage and is limited to new permits for six months.
