Biosolids ruling a "slap in the face"

To The Eagle:

I am opposed to the disposal of untreated human waste through land application.

Since I am a resident of Grays River valley, I am especially opposed to the land application of untreated human waste in the valley. It is unsafe and unwise on several levels. If that were not the case why have we been prohibited for years from constructing outhouses near wells or close to streams and rivers? What about the studies linking the introduction of human medicines into aquatic environments with aberrant morphological changes in amphibian and fish populations?

Even after anaerobic digestion (a tertiary treatment method) human waste has been shown to generate area-wide complaints regarding odors. Certainly 30,000 gallons a month of class B biosolids (untreated human waste) can be expected to generate significant impacts on the use and enjoyment of our properties.

Peter Lyons, regional manager for the Department of Ecology scoffed at the concerns of those voicing opposition during a recent meeting. Citing his calculation of a parts-per-billion concentration, Mr. Lyons stated our grandchildren could play on the land 30 days after the waste application. Not mine. His math assumes a perfect world with X amount of rainfall. The 250 acre site slopes toward the river. What happens if there is a Y amount of rainfall? I wonder if he uses the same model calculator employed by British Petroleum’s engineers. Mr. Lyons noted that farm animals would have to be kept off the land until 30 days after the application ceased. Who keeps off the wildlife during that time frame?

A determination of “non-significance” by the Department of Ecology is nothing less than a slap in the face to the people of western Wahkiakum County. It is not pleasant to find that our government views the health and welfare of its citizens as insignificant. Neither is it pleasant to find that one of our local landowners would endanger the health and welfare of their neighbors in order to line their pockets.

Also not above criticism is the Evergreen Septic Service for proposing to spread untreated human waste in the Grays River valley. We should not consider ourselves powerless in this matter. In regard to the Department of Ecology, we can support those legislators who favor lessening the power of that agency and vote against those that don’t. In regard to Evergreen Septic Service those that utilize their services can switch to one of their competitors. Even if you are not directly affected by the Grays River valley proposal, I would ask you demonstrate your opposition to their proposal by contacting Mr. Claude Noyes, owner of Evergreen Septic Service, and tell him you are cancelling their service and why. In regard to the landowner wishing to profit by this project, it is an individual decision regarding whether each of us continue to view them as valued members of the community.

Dan Anderson

Grays River