Amherst supervisors criticized over biosolids stance

The biosolids monitor for Amherst County took issue Tuesday with the Board of Supervisors over its attempt to prevent the spreading of treated sludge on farmland near the Blue Ridge Railway Trail.

David Orvos, a professor of environmental sciences at Sweet Briar College, criticized board members for not consulting with him before asking the Department of Environmental Quality to deny a permit for biosolids application on a 132-acre tract near the trail.

The board sent a letter to DEQ in August that said the biosolids application could negatively affect the trail and its users.

“Any dumping, spreading, or discharging of biosolids on lands adjacent to the trail could potentially negatively impact, disrupt or shut down one-half of all significant recreational trails in Amherst County,” the letter stated.

Orvos was invited by the board to speak after a letter he wrote was published in The News & Advance in September, disagreeing with the board’s position.

Although Orvos is the appointed biosolids monitor for the county, board members did not consult him before theyvoted to send the letter to DEQ.

The board approved the action in August when Synagro Central LLC notified the county of its intention to spread biosolids on farmland in northern Amherst County.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Orvos said he inspected the property in June along with DEQ scientists and a health department official, and concluded that the site was “particularly ideal” for biosolids application.

He said the farmland was surrounded by a 10-foot berm that would isolate the biosolids and prevent runoff.

“I don’t see that the application of biosolids is going to have to have a negative impact on the trail. And odor does not cause disease. Period.”

He added that the level of odor detected from the trail, which begins in Nelson County on Virginia 151 and follows along the Piney Riverabout two miles to Roses Mill in Amherst County, would be relatively low.

Following Orvos’ talk, board chairman Leon Parrish said he regretted that board members did not consult Orvos before sending the letter.

Supervisor Ray Vandall agreed. “In retrospect I think that would have been a good thing for us to do.”

Localities have no jurisdiction to prohibit the spreading of biosolids, but can enact local ordinances to monitor the material.

Orvos said DEQ currently is considering the board’s letter. If the department approves the permit, biosolids most likely would not be applied on the property until spring.