Schuylkill County's Reiley Twp. Is Not Alone.
Upstate New York Communities Also Have an N-Viro/We Care Controversy
Following are two recent news stories from the North Countryman, a Denton Publications newspaper in Elizabethtown, NY. Reporter: Anne Hawkesby. Posted with permission)
Beekmantown Seeks Compliance in Waste Issue
By Ann Hawksby
Beekmantown - In response to complaints, the Beekmantown Codes Enforcement officer, Allan Corron, recently sent a certified letter to a Route 9 landowner, asking that he comply with their local laws pertaining to solid waste.
The town claims the landowner, Graham Laman, has allowed truckloads of processed human waste compost from the Clinton County Compost Facility in Plattsburgh to be dumped in a gravel pit on his property, which is in violation of their local laws.
According to Town Supervisor Dennis Relation, Laman has until Jan.21, 2004 to comply with Local Law Number One, prohibiting the deposit of waste in Beekmantown.
"It has been in effect for 25 years," Relation said, "and it was designed to cover all types of waste."
He listed several examples of what was banned under their town law, including solid or liquid waste.
Laman could be cited for the violation in the event that he was non-compliant.
The topic was discussed at the Clinton County Legislative meeting last Wednesday evening.
Legislator Joseph Giroux had been under the impression that the Town of Mooers had resolved their problem last September concerning composted waste being dumped on farmland without prior permission or approval.
Champlain area Legislator Celine Paquette set the record straight, telling her colleagues that she had been asked to sit in on Mooers town meetings. She told him to date nothing had been resolved, leaving residents and the town officials very frustrated.
That problem began when several area residents complained of late night truck traffic, followed by an offensive odor. The trucks were seen entering and exiting a dormant farm on the Bashaw Road.
Upon an investigation by local NYS Department of Environmental Conservation officers, it was determined that the trucks had hauled in compost from the Clinton County Compost Facility.
U.S. Filter was contracted by the City of Plattsburgh to run the compost facility. The firm uses the 'N-Viro' process to transform human waste sludge into a Class A biosolids compost. The process and product have been approved and permitted by NYSDEC.
The finished product is marketed by We Care Organics LLC, and moved by We Care Transportation LLC.
Giroux said he was concerned about the possibility of leaching, because the compost was being dumped on top of gravel.
"I'm concerned about them dumping all over the county," he said, "I guess it's not so bad if it's spread, but to stockpile it is not good."
Giroux said he was worried about contamination, and would be willing to come to the town's aide if requested.
Relation said to his understanding the compost was being stockpiled on the Laman property. He was unsure of the intent of the landowner or the trucking company.
"It was done kind of secretively," he said, adding that he and the code enforcement officer were still looking into the matter.
Clinton County Legislation Urged to Help Control Questionable Compost Dumping Practices
Special Meeting to be Arranged
By Ann Hawksby
Plattsburgh -- The Clinton County Legislators got an earful from angry town officials and homeowners during the first 45 minutes of their meeting last evening.
Both the Mooers and Beekmantown supervisors spoke of their problematic dealings with We Care's transportation and marketing companies, who were contracted to remove the composted human waste product produced at the Clinton County Compost Facility.
Legislators Joseph Giroux and Celine Paquette said they have been actively involved in their own investigations into the legalities of land spreading, dumping, and the use of the finished product.
Giroux told fellow board members that compost was being stockpiled, which was a potential problem, especially if they continue to do so without notice or permission.
Giroux also said handling the Plattsburgh area waste was something he understood, but questioned having sewage sludge brought in from other areas to be handled at the facility.
He said it was time the legislators stepped in rather than leaving the problems to be handled by the individual towns.
Paquette added to his list of problems.
She shared her frustrations in trying to find out about the safety and regulation of the material. She spoke of the numerous contacts she had made, including the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, and other governing agencies.
"They are all very cooperative at first, then they set up walls," she said, "and they do change their stories."
"I have a whole folder full of information I have been compiling," Paquette said holding it up for all to see.
As the facts unfolded, it was established that the City of Plattsburgh owns the compost facility. U.S. Filter was contracted to run the plant, producing a waste-derived product called N-Viro. In turn, U.S. Filter then contracted We Care Transportation LLC, to do the transporting.
We Care actually has two companies involved, We Care Transportation, and We Care Organics. The latter markets the N-Viro material, their target customers - North Country farmers and landowners.
As Beekmantown Supervisor Dennis Relation spoke to the board of legislators on behalf of his community, he told them of a situation where We Care was stockpiling compost off Route 9 in Beekmantown.
Relation said it was being dumped, truckload after truckload on a gravel pit, which increases the danger of leaching.
But, more importantly, it was being done just about a mile or so from the shoreline of Lake Champlain.
Relation also told the board of a recent Stop Sale Order on the N-Viro product. It was issued to both U.S. Filter and We Care by the N.Y. State Department of Agriculture and Markets, because the product was being misrepresented as a liming agent.
"Now how do we know it hasn't been misrepresented as being safe?" he asked.
He asked if the towns could expect any degree of support or regulation of the compost facility and the companies involved, since the facility bears the name of the county.
After some discussion, County Attorney Dennis Curtin said he had not read the contracts lately, but believed the City of Plattsburgh would have the authority over the facility.
Curtin explained that county regulation is limited, as the county does not take part in the operations at the plant. When the facility was planned Clinton County endorsed the project so that they would be able to apply for grant money. Thus the project took on the name of the county.
Curtin also said no matter who regulates the facility; "their practices must comply with our State, Federal, and local laws."
He also suggested requesting that the city's environmental engineer provide detailed reports on the operations, testing, and practices at the facility.
The board heard from Mooers Town Supervisor John "Jack" Dragoon, who has been trying to deal with We Care owners since Labor Day.
Neither the Mooers local laws concerning dumping, nor the Zoning Board were able to make headway in controlling what We Care called "ordinary farming practices" on a Bashaw Road farm that had sat idle for over 10 years.
Referring to the problem in Beekmantown, Dragoon noted that Daniel Steenberge of the DEC told his town board there was to be no more stockpiling in his area of jurisdiction.
"Doesn't that include Beekmantown?" he asked.
"There's some big bucks behind this," Dragoon said, "I don't like to say this but someone's getting their pockets lined here."
"I have a lot more information and pictures available if anyone would care to see them," Dragoon told the board.
As a nearby resident, Keith Spires spoke, he too accused the trucking company and other agencies involved of "shadow dancing," and "dodging" questions and concerns.
Spires said he and 12 other residents have dug wells and are concerned about the possibility of contamination from the site.
Both he and Dragoon told the board that We Care had not complied with regulations concerning land spreading of the material, and when DEC investigated, they found no wrong-doing.
"I actually sent them (DEC) a map of the property," Spires said, "telling them where to look."
Spires said there is over three acres on the Bashaw Road farm that has a 12-18 inch layer of N-Viro spread over it.
"I want to know who I can sue in the future when this stuff leaches into my well and my property cannot be sold."
Legislative Chairperson, James Langely, Jr., ended the discussions with a promise to arrange a special meeting. His guest list will include the Clinton County Legislative body, the town officials, as well as representatives from the City of Plattsburgh, the DEC, and other agencies that he feels should be involved.
News and Headlines
... US Filter was contracted by the City of Plattsburgh to run the compost facility.
The firm uses the 'N-Viro' process to transform human waste sludge into a ...
www.budangst.com/news/News1056.htm
Upstate New York Communities Also Have an N-Viro/We Care Controversy
Following are two recent news stories from the North Countryman, a Denton Publications newspaper in Elizabethtown, NY. Reporter: Anne Hawkesby. Posted with permission)
Beekmantown Seeks Compliance in Waste Issue
By Ann Hawksby
Beekmantown - In response to complaints, the Beekmantown Codes Enforcement officer, Allan Corron, recently sent a certified letter to a Route 9 landowner, asking that he comply with their local laws pertaining to solid waste.
The town claims the landowner, Graham Laman, has allowed truckloads of processed human waste compost from the Clinton County Compost Facility in Plattsburgh to be dumped in a gravel pit on his property, which is in violation of their local laws.
According to Town Supervisor Dennis Relation, Laman has until Jan.21, 2004 to comply with Local Law Number One, prohibiting the deposit of waste in Beekmantown.
"It has been in effect for 25 years," Relation said, "and it was designed to cover all types of waste."
He listed several examples of what was banned under their town law, including solid or liquid waste.
Laman could be cited for the violation in the event that he was non-compliant.
The topic was discussed at the Clinton County Legislative meeting last Wednesday evening.
Legislator Joseph Giroux had been under the impression that the Town of Mooers had resolved their problem last September concerning composted waste being dumped on farmland without prior permission or approval.
Champlain area Legislator Celine Paquette set the record straight, telling her colleagues that she had been asked to sit in on Mooers town meetings. She told him to date nothing had been resolved, leaving residents and the town officials very frustrated.
That problem began when several area residents complained of late night truck traffic, followed by an offensive odor. The trucks were seen entering and exiting a dormant farm on the Bashaw Road.
Upon an investigation by local NYS Department of Environmental Conservation officers, it was determined that the trucks had hauled in compost from the Clinton County Compost Facility.
U.S. Filter was contracted by the City of Plattsburgh to run the compost facility. The firm uses the 'N-Viro' process to transform human waste sludge into a Class A biosolids compost. The process and product have been approved and permitted by NYSDEC.
The finished product is marketed by We Care Organics LLC, and moved by We Care Transportation LLC.
Giroux said he was concerned about the possibility of leaching, because the compost was being dumped on top of gravel.
"I'm concerned about them dumping all over the county," he said, "I guess it's not so bad if it's spread, but to stockpile it is not good."
Giroux said he was worried about contamination, and would be willing to come to the town's aide if requested.
Relation said to his understanding the compost was being stockpiled on the Laman property. He was unsure of the intent of the landowner or the trucking company.
"It was done kind of secretively," he said, adding that he and the code enforcement officer were still looking into the matter.
Clinton County Legislation Urged to Help Control Questionable Compost Dumping Practices
Special Meeting to be Arranged
By Ann Hawksby
Plattsburgh -- The Clinton County Legislators got an earful from angry town officials and homeowners during the first 45 minutes of their meeting last evening.
Both the Mooers and Beekmantown supervisors spoke of their problematic dealings with We Care's transportation and marketing companies, who were contracted to remove the composted human waste product produced at the Clinton County Compost Facility.
Legislators Joseph Giroux and Celine Paquette said they have been actively involved in their own investigations into the legalities of land spreading, dumping, and the use of the finished product.
Giroux told fellow board members that compost was being stockpiled, which was a potential problem, especially if they continue to do so without notice or permission.
Giroux also said handling the Plattsburgh area waste was something he understood, but questioned having sewage sludge brought in from other areas to be handled at the facility.
He said it was time the legislators stepped in rather than leaving the problems to be handled by the individual towns.
Paquette added to his list of problems.
She shared her frustrations in trying to find out about the safety and regulation of the material. She spoke of the numerous contacts she had made, including the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, and other governing agencies.
"They are all very cooperative at first, then they set up walls," she said, "and they do change their stories."
"I have a whole folder full of information I have been compiling," Paquette said holding it up for all to see.
As the facts unfolded, it was established that the City of Plattsburgh owns the compost facility. U.S. Filter was contracted to run the plant, producing a waste-derived product called N-Viro. In turn, U.S. Filter then contracted We Care Transportation LLC, to do the transporting.
We Care actually has two companies involved, We Care Transportation, and We Care Organics. The latter markets the N-Viro material, their target customers - North Country farmers and landowners.
As Beekmantown Supervisor Dennis Relation spoke to the board of legislators on behalf of his community, he told them of a situation where We Care was stockpiling compost off Route 9 in Beekmantown.
Relation said it was being dumped, truckload after truckload on a gravel pit, which increases the danger of leaching.
But, more importantly, it was being done just about a mile or so from the shoreline of Lake Champlain.
Relation also told the board of a recent Stop Sale Order on the N-Viro product. It was issued to both U.S. Filter and We Care by the N.Y. State Department of Agriculture and Markets, because the product was being misrepresented as a liming agent.
"Now how do we know it hasn't been misrepresented as being safe?" he asked.
He asked if the towns could expect any degree of support or regulation of the compost facility and the companies involved, since the facility bears the name of the county.
After some discussion, County Attorney Dennis Curtin said he had not read the contracts lately, but believed the City of Plattsburgh would have the authority over the facility.
Curtin explained that county regulation is limited, as the county does not take part in the operations at the plant. When the facility was planned Clinton County endorsed the project so that they would be able to apply for grant money. Thus the project took on the name of the county.
Curtin also said no matter who regulates the facility; "their practices must comply with our State, Federal, and local laws."
He also suggested requesting that the city's environmental engineer provide detailed reports on the operations, testing, and practices at the facility.
The board heard from Mooers Town Supervisor John "Jack" Dragoon, who has been trying to deal with We Care owners since Labor Day.
Neither the Mooers local laws concerning dumping, nor the Zoning Board were able to make headway in controlling what We Care called "ordinary farming practices" on a Bashaw Road farm that had sat idle for over 10 years.
Referring to the problem in Beekmantown, Dragoon noted that Daniel Steenberge of the DEC told his town board there was to be no more stockpiling in his area of jurisdiction.
"Doesn't that include Beekmantown?" he asked.
"There's some big bucks behind this," Dragoon said, "I don't like to say this but someone's getting their pockets lined here."
"I have a lot more information and pictures available if anyone would care to see them," Dragoon told the board.
As a nearby resident, Keith Spires spoke, he too accused the trucking company and other agencies involved of "shadow dancing," and "dodging" questions and concerns.
Spires said he and 12 other residents have dug wells and are concerned about the possibility of contamination from the site.
Both he and Dragoon told the board that We Care had not complied with regulations concerning land spreading of the material, and when DEC investigated, they found no wrong-doing.
"I actually sent them (DEC) a map of the property," Spires said, "telling them where to look."
Spires said there is over three acres on the Bashaw Road farm that has a 12-18 inch layer of N-Viro spread over it.
"I want to know who I can sue in the future when this stuff leaches into my well and my property cannot be sold."
Legislative Chairperson, James Langely, Jr., ended the discussions with a promise to arrange a special meeting. His guest list will include the Clinton County Legislative body, the town officials, as well as representatives from the City of Plattsburgh, the DEC, and other agencies that he feels should be involved.
News and Headlines
... US Filter was contracted by the City of Plattsburgh to run the compost facility.
The firm uses the 'N-Viro' process to transform human waste sludge into a ...
www.budangst.com/news/News1056.htm
Labels: N-Viro process, We Care controversy
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