The Nuts and Bolts of a Successful Land Application Project: NYC Biosolids in Colorado

Many papers regarding public education or success stories show the end results of their efforts. However, it has become apparent that although we think we know where we want to go few understand how to get there. This is apparent due to the continuing cry for increased public acceptance of biosolids. Therefore, this paper will attempt to breakout the various segments of a successful project and discuss what was done on this particular project in order to achieve public acceptance.The project that will be used as the demonstration model is the NYC land application program, which has been operating in Colorado in various forms since 1990. The application program is currently being operated by Parker Ag Services of Limon, Colorado. On average 170 wet tons of biosolids are received by rail from NYC in Prowers County, Colorado five days per week. The biosolids in containers are transported to permitted application sites within 40 miles of the rail siding. The project was awarded the USEPA Public Education Award in 1999.In this paper the following segments of how the NYC land application program in Colorado was developed and is operated will be discussed in order to demonstrate how this project became so successful. Examples of successes and failures will be given for each segment. The “theory” behind the reasoning for how the segment was developed will also be explained. The segments are as follows:Regulatory ComplianceUSEPACDPH&ELocal Health OfficeElected OfficialsFarmersMediaSite LocationManagementOperationThe future of the project will also be discussed in detail because everyone, including this project, gets complacent after some point of time. At that point is when problems occur and have occurred. Ideas and suggestions will be offered on issues to be implemented on this project to fight that problem.