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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCSD 13-03 Page 1 of 4 RESOLUTION NO. OCSD 13-03 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF BIOSOLIDS RECYCLING AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. OCSD 06-10 WHEREAS, the Orange County Sanitation District ("District") produces biosolids at its two wastewater treatment plants; and WHEREAS, biosolids are the solid product of municipal wastewater processing which have been extensively and properly treated so that they may be safely recycled to amend soil directly, create composted soil amendments, produce energy, or other beneficial uses; and WHEREAS, the District promotes the recycling of biosolids in a manner that is safe, environmentally beneficial, and is sensitive to the needs of the communities involved; and WHEREAS, in 1993 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established rules, which included a thorough health-risk assessment, regulating the treatment and use of biosolids (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 503). These Regulations have since protected public health and the environment by ensuring the safe and beneficial recycling of biosolids when managed in accordance with the rules; and WHEREAS, decades of use, research, and regulatory review and oversight have demonstrated the benefits and safety of biosolids; and WHEREAS, the direct application of high-quality biosolids as a soil amendment is sustainable, safe, provides beneficial nutrients to the soil, sequesters significant amounts of carbon for a net carbon reduction, and is an environmentally- friendly alternative to – and reduces the need for – fossil-fuel intensive fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; and WHEREAS, the production of compost for agricultural, commercial, and residential markets is sustainable, safe, provides beneficial nutrients to the soil, is a local source of recycled nutrients, and is an environmentally-friendly alternative to – and reduces the need for – fossil-fuel intensive fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; and WHEREAS, the production of energy and other alternative products from biosolids can be sustainable, safe, and an environmentally-friendly option for utilizing the District’s biosolids and ensuring continued diversity of the District’s biosolids management options for sustainability; and WHEREAS, it is the law of the State of California that municipalities divert recyclable materials from disposal in landfills and may be required to divert even more in the future. The District also recognizes that limited (up to 100 tons per day) use of local landfills can provide benefits including enhancing methane gas recovery Page 2 of 4 at the landfill, providing an in-county biosolids management option, increasing the diversity of the District’s biosolids management options, and adding another low-cost option during the District’s peak biosolids production period (until 2017), thereby increasing the District’s biosolids program sustainability; and WHEREAS, in order to promote a standard of excellence, the District maintains a Biosolids Management System and adheres to the principles of the National Biosolids Partnership’s Code of Good Practice and best management practices of the California Water Environment Association's (CWEA) Manual of Good Practice for Agricultural Land Application of Biosolids; and WHEREAS, in order to maintain the highest-quality biosolids for beneficial use, the District maintains a comprehensive and award-winning Source Control program that includes permits, and in some cases onsite treatment, for categorized industries, along with best management practices and outreach programs for non- industrial discharges to prevent pollutants entering the District’s plants. WHEREAS, reducing the volume of biosolids produced onsite, reduces impacts associated with managing biosolids offsite such as traffic and truck emissions; and WHEREAS, the District supports ongoing research regarding emerging biosolids-related questions including studies performed by the EPA, Water Environment Research Foundation, and the National Science Foundation to ensure the continued safety of biosolids recycling practices; and WHEREAS, by 2003 most agriculturally-based counties in south and central California placed restrictive ordinances or bans on farming with biosolids; therefore highlighting the criticality for strong biosolids management practices including a biosolids management system and proactive education and outreach; and WHEREAS, the 2003-2004 Orange County Grand Jury issued findings related to public concerns regarding farming with biosolids and recommended the District’s continued participation in national surveys, research on emerging concerns, and incident trackers in order to demonstrate the District’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and address nuisances; and WHEREAS, the District commissioned a Long-Range Biosolids Management Plan that was completed in 2003 and included recommendations with the goal of a long-term sustainable biosolids program. The Plan recommended diversity and fail- safe back-ups as ways to prevent biosolids market failures and thereby maintain reliability, minimize costs, and reduce risks to the District. The Plan also valued using local (in-county) options to reduce environmental impacts associated with hauling greater distances, create a closed-loop system (solids generated, treated, and used in the same county – including costs and revenues), and accept social responsibility for our biosolids use to increase community acceptance at out-of-county biosolids facilities. The District continues to implement the recommendations of the Plan including maintaining a diverse program of biosolids management (multiple biosolids Page 3 of 4 contractors, markets, and facilities), maintaining fail-safe back-up capacity, and developing in-county facilities and markets. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of Orange County Sanitation District, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER: Section 1. The District is committed to a sustainable biosolids program. Section 2. The District is committed to diversifying its portfolio of offsite biosolids management options with multiple biosolids contractors, markets, facilities, and maintaining fail-safe back-up capacity at least 100% of its daily biosolids production. Section 3. The District declares its support of recycling biosolids. Section 4. The District strives to balance financial, environmental, and societal considerations when making biosolids decisions. Section 5. The District is committed to utilize a biosolids management system to maintain a sustainable and publicly supported biosolids program. Section 6. The District is committed to researching and implementing ways to reduce the volume of biosolids at the treatment plants to minimize the need for offsite management. Section 7. The District declares its support of continuing to research biosolids benefits and potential safety concerns. Section 8. The District demonstrates the benefits of biosolids compost by using it at the District’s facilities. Section 9. Resolution No. OCSD 06-10 is hereby repealed. Section 10. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors held on the day of February 27, 2013. ATTEST: Page 4 of 4