CAN POLITICAL ASPECTS CHANGE HOW YOU MANAGE YOUR BIOSOLIDS?

Local jurisdictions in California are considering banning or restricting biosolids land application in their County because they have no oversight on biosolids being applied and because of public perception and nuisance issues related to biosolids, such as odors and flies. The City of Los Angeles developed a biosolids management program in 1989 and the program continues today. Several different management options have been used, with land application and composting part of the current program. The City owns a farm in an adjacent County, Kern County, where most of its biosolids are land applied as a soil amendment. The operations on this site began in 1994. In 1998, Kern County began the process to develop requirements regulating the practice of biosolids land application. The City of Los Angeles has worked with Kern County to maintain its operations at Green Acres and continue its long-term biosolids management option. Can the City of Los Angeles maintain its biosolids management program in Kern County when political parties get involved?