New Hampshire Biosolids Management and Land Application Practices: A Period of Change 1995–2000

Biosolids management and land application practices in New Hampshire have undergone a period of profound change over the past five years. Political controversy, regulatory changes, legislative actions, and the active involvement of various stakeholders have all contributed to this period of change in biosolids management and land application practices in New Hampshire. This paper will examine the causes of the political controversy in the state, the resulting regulatory and legislative actions, and how the active involvement of various stakeholders transformed the state policy from being the first in the nation to officially adopt the Federal 40CFR Part 503 Standards to the recent adoption of some of the most stringent biosolids regulations in the country.