Commissioners table biosolids ordinance

With the arrival of the rainy season--today (Thursday) is the first day of autumn--Wahkiakuam County commissioners decided there is no hurry to develop a controversial biosolids ordinance.

Evergreen Sanitation of Seaview has applied for a state Department of Ecology permit to dispose septage biosolids, the least treated class, on Phil and Sulema Zerr's Elk Mountain Ranch in Grays River, and there has been adverse public reaction to the proposal. After taking public input, commissioners asked Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow to develop an ordinance that would regulate where biosolids could be applied. Ecology commented that state law gives the department authority over biosolid application and implied it would challenge the ordinance in court if it is passed.

Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance September 7 and Bigelow asked to make some changes in wording to make the ordinance consistent. However since then, he and commissioners have agreed to try to work with Ecology to clear up the issues that would lead the department to challenge the ordinance.

Commissioner Lisa Marsyla said she was continuing to study the issue. She has scheduled a visit to a farm outside the county where biosolids are applied.

Lori Scott, a Salmon Creek resident and candidate for commissioner, asked if the county health department had any concerns over the biosolids application.

The health officers studied the issue and couldn't point to any identifiable health risks, Marsyla and commission Chair Blair Brady said.

"I still have concerns," Brady added, "and if we're going to err, I wish to err on the side of public health. There probably won't be any application in Wahkiakum County for six to eight months, so we have plenty of time."

"The bottom line is that they (Ecology) are going to challenge it," said Commissioner Dan Cothren. "We have time to work things out and get some commitments from them from Ecology."

"Great," Scott said. "I didn't want the county to rush into it."

Brady added that he going to contact state legislators to see if legislation could be changed so that counties have more control over applications in their jurisdictions.