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Environment Minister Responds on Sludge |
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Government’s code of practices protects people, environment
Oct 16 2007 – Nanaimo News Bulletin
To the Editor,
A letter to the editor, Pulp mill sludge threatens environment, Oct. 4, contained incorrect information about the new Code of Practice for Soil Amendments that government recently approved.
The practice of using industrial byproducts to enhance soil quality is neither new nor unique to B.C. In fact, the term amendment in this context simply means to improve the biological, physical or chemical characteristics of a soil.
For example, improving soil by adding nutrients can enhance crop
growth. What the letter writer referred to as contaminated sludge is
really just byproducts such as lime, ash and biosolids – in other
words, fertilizer.
These byproducts have been recognized and used to improve soil
condition in agricultural or forestry practices in many jurisdictions.
All jurisdictions in North America and Europe have rules or regulations
governing how agricultural, industrial and municipal residuals may be
used on land.
B.C.’s Code uses a multi-layered approach to protect human health and
the environment and has the potential of diverting significant
quantities of waste from landfills or incineration.
The code of practice prohibits application of waste in quantities that
would exceed the nutrient needs of the plants at the application site.
In addition, it must be clearly shown the soil condition will be
improved.
A qualified professional must prepare a land application plan and
predict the expected concentrations in the soil and calculate the
amount of soil amendment that can be applied to provide for the plant
or crop needs.
The B.C. Government’s goal with this code of practice it to protect the
environment and human health and safety and to support waste reduction,
reuse and recycling.
Barry Penner
Minister of Environment
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