Spreading sludge from Harford County's wastewater treatment plant on farmland in a state park has drawn the ire of nearby residents who do not want the common practice extended to public parkland.
Synagro Technologies Inc., the county's contractor, began hauling the sanitized byproduct, known as Class B biosolid, from the Sod Run treatment plant to a 108-acre farm near Havre de Grace last month.
The farm is part of Susquehanna State Park, a favorite spot for anglers, hikers and horseback riders. Neighbors have complained of truck traffic, odors and potential health hazards. They insist the county should not use parkland for sludge disposal.
"Our parks are protected," said Jeff Lawson, whose home on Quaker Bottom Road sits on the hauler's route to the park. "Why turn them into a dumping ground?"
His wife, Katharine M. Lawson, said, "We love this park. It should be kept clean."
The company, the largest recycler of organic residuals in the nation, has spread sludge on farm fields in the county for years. It holds the requisite state permits to spread biosolids at Susquehanna, and also has acquired permits for Rocks Run and Palmer state parks, but has yet to do so there.
"We have permits in parks all across the state," said Brooke Henderson, a company spokeswoman. "Biosolids are probably the single most researched and regulated agricultural amendment. It is a natural commodity used to increase crop yields."
The industry is strictly regulated, she said. Farmers interested in using biosolids must go through a stringent review and permitting process.
The Lawsons have contacted county and state officials in an attempt to halt the operation. In Delaware, legislation to ban sludge dumping in state parks is pending.
Del. Donna Stifler said public land should fall under stricter regulations than private farms. She has asked the Maryland Department of the Environment to look into more rigorous regulation and to seek the safest application process possible.
"The average person does not have the science background to know just what this is," said Stifler, a Republican whose district includes the park. "The bottom line is that it is filtered waste, and this is public property we are talking about."
Edward Dexter, administrator of MDE's solid waste program, said the state has allowed farmers leasing land in parks on the Eastern Shore to use biosolids for several years.
