New Kent supervisors table decision on letter opposing DEQ sludge permit for Synagro

New Kent supervisors will spend a little more time debating an issue to send a letter to the State Water Control Board opposing a permit for Synagro to dispose industrial residuals and sludge in the northeast part of the county.

Supervisors listened to an hour long presentation from Kyle Winter, water compliance and VPA programs manager for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) during the July 30 work session.

At the July 14 regular board meeting, citizens presented concerns about Synagro and their attempt to use 712 acres in New Kent to dump sludge from Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, and the RockTenn paper mill. Opponents of the permit asked supervisors to write a letter to the SWCB asking for denial.

Winter said 286 comments on the issue have appeared from residents of neighboring King William and King & Queen counties, but advised board members that the sludge proposed by Synagro is different than what the other two jurisdictions dealt with.

“The purpose of this permit is to protect the water impact, not the soil,” Winter commented on the difference on the issue. “There are things in this permit that will protect the water.”

But local supervisors expressed concerns over varying issues that they still haven’t comprehended, even with the couple of extra weeks to review the document.

“Aren’t you trying to protect the Chesapeake Bay?” questioned District 2 representative Tommy Tiller. “That’s all DEQ has been talking about since the late 80’s.”

“I don’t think you’re dealing with these elements as much as possible,” added District 3 supervisor James Burrell, commenting on metals found in the proposed sludge.

District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers adamantly argued his disdain on the issue.

“I have read reports on the levels of these elements in the soil,” Stiers voiced loudly. “Arsenic in our soil?”

Winter rebutted that the documents presented were an analysis used to verify testing measures, but Stiers remained steadfast in his opinion.

“I met with members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and offered them a suggestion,” said the District 4 representative. “I told them to take the sludge, load it up on a CSX train, take it to the Chesapeake Bay and dump it in.

“I asked them how they felt about that and they were highly against that,” continued Stiers. “I said if it’s not safe enough to dump in the bay, then it’s not safe to dump on our land.”

Board chairman Thomas Evelyn said that even if the board sent a letter, it was an issue the county could not control.

“We can send a letter, but it’s up to the State Water Control Board to render a decision,” said the chairman.

Robert Hale, a PhD in the field of agriculture who spoke at the regular meeting, said the issues were more than the sludge being dumped in the area.

“The first issue is respiratory health issue, specifically aesthetics,” Hale commented. “The second issue is the quality of life, and that’s what a majority of our neighbors in King William are more concerned with.”

Winter chimed in, saying that even with public concerns on the application, state water control officials may address them, modify them, or ignore them. Still, that didn’t stop Stiers from motioning for a letter of opposition. The motion failed 3-1, with District 5 representative Ray Davis absent. However, the vote did not reflect the views of the board.

“I just want to have more information about it before making a decision,” said Burrell.

“I’d like to have (District 5 supervisor Ray) Davis here because he’s the most familiar and has had information on the issue,” added Evelyn. “I wouldn’t want to approve something without him here, especially when he has a better grasp on it.”

The State Water Control Board postponed a July vote on the issue. Winter said the next meeting is scheduled for September, but the issue may not be addressed then due to additional public comments being received.