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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 21, 2014 02:07 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Michael K. Hanna |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | House Bill 2056 - Legislation Prohibiting the Application of Sewage Sludge Under a Land Reclamation Permit in a Source Water Protection Area and Providing for Public Comment |
| MEMORANDUM TO: All House Members FROM: Representative Michael Hanna DATE: March 21, 2014 SUBJECT: House Bill 2056 - Legislation Prohibiting the Application of Sewage Sludge Under a Land Reclamation Permit in a Source Water Protection Area and Providing for Public Comment I have recently introduce House Bill 2056, which would prohibit the land application of sewage sludge under a land reclamation permit in a source water protection area, and provide for a minimum of one public hearing at least 180 days in advance of other situations where sewage sludge is applied under a land reclamation permit. As you may know, sewage sludge has been used to facilitate the revegetation of land that has been denuded and left barren as a result of surface mining activities. While sewage sludge adds organic matter to spur the growth of vegetation, in certain instances, it may also introduce toxins into the soil. The land application of a large volume of sewage sludge, as is the case in many land reclamation projects, potentially increases the quantity of toxins that may be introduced into the environment and may also increase the concentration of otherwise benign compounds to harmful levels. Both scenarios are of particular concern if the surface water in the area is used to supply public drinking water. As such, in an effort to protect public drinking water sources and increase citizen involvement in the process, House Bill 2056 would prohibit the application of sewage sludge under a land reclamation permit in a source water protection area. If sewage sludge is to be land applied under a land reclamation permit in other situations, this bill would require the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to conduct at least one public hearing 180 days before the land application. While the land application of sewage sludge may be beneficial in certain circumstances, particularly when lesser quantities are involved, the use of large volumes of sewage sludge to reclaim lands should not occur in a source water protection area where it could impact public water supplies. In other situations where sewage sludge is land applied under a land reclamation permit, local officials and residents must be given ample opportunity to study and comment on the proposal before it is implemented. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. If you are interested in co-sponsoring this legislation, please contact Gayle Jones in my office via email at GJones@pahouse.net or at 717-772-2283. |