08-R141

2008 -- S 2624 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 04/08/08

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE USE OF BIOSOLIDS FOR FERTILIZER IN RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Miller, Breene, Revens, and Gibbs

Date Introduced: February 26, 2008

     WHEREAS, Biosolids are solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment

process; and

     WHEREAS, There are approximately 600 publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities

in New England that produce approximately 434,000 dry tons of sewage sludge annually; and

     WHEREAS, 96,000 dry tons of regional sewage sludge is recycled as biosolids fertilizers

and soil amendment products; and

     WHEREAS, Biosolids fertilizers and soil amendment products are readily available for

beneficial reuse and application in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Public concerns have been raised about the use of these fertilizers and soil

amendments on edible crops; and

     WHEREAS, It is in the state's best interest to understand and regulate the application of

biosolids fertilizers and soil amendment products on agricultural lands in the state; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That a special Senate commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of eleven (11) members: four (4) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more

than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Director of the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one

of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or designee; one of whom shall be the

President of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau; or designee; one of whom shall be the President of

the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; one of whom

shall be a member of the Board of Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Facilities

to be appointed by the Senate President; and one of whom shall be a representative from the

North East Biosolids Residuals Association, to be appointed by the Senate President.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to study: a) possible disclosure requirements

whenever biosolids fertilizers or soil amendments from sewage sludge are applied to edible crops;

b) metal level limits for biosolids fertilizers and soil amendments originating from sewage sludge;

c) proper land application rates; d) cumulative loading rates; e) the permit application process to

gain approval from the department to use sewage sludge as a biosolids fertilizer or soil

amendment in Rhode Island; and f) public education efforts to raise awareness about the

beneficial use of biosolids as fertilizers and soil amendments.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the political party

which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general

public.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The President of the Senate shall designate one Senate member as the chairperson of said

commission. The joint committee on legislative services and the commission shall meet at the call

of the President. The joint committee on legislative services is hereby authorized and directed to

provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Senate no later than January 6, 2009 and said commission shall expire on January 31, 2009.

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LC02068/SUB A

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