LA PLATA, Md. (May 19, 2010)—At the conclusion of the public hearing held May 11, the Charles County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve permits for Synagro Central, LLC to transport biosolids within the county. No public testimony was given during the hearing.
Synagro Central, LLC requested the County issue Transportation Permits to transport biosolids to 31 sites in Charles County. All but six of these sites are being renewed and have received biosolids in the past. Historically, the Commissioners have issued these permits so that biosolids can be used on agricultural land as fertilizer and on sand and gravel mine sites as part of the reclamation process.
While the Maryland Department of the Environment is the primary permitting and regulatory agency, the County issues these transportation permits to further insure oversight and monitoring of the process. The County's Transportation Permit supplements the Utilization Permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment by:
1. Establishing a primary transportation route to the site to minimize impacts to local roads;
2. Further defines hours of operation;
3. Establishes a timeframe to have the product incorporated into the soil to avoid stockpiling;
4. Sets forth procedures to address odor, if it occurs;
5. Establishes conditions and procedures for fixing damages to County roads, if they occur;
6. Acknowledges that a County Zoning Inspector will perform on-site inspections to insure compliance.
Source: Charles County Commissioners