Caroline County passes new legislation to require a permit for the storage of sludge material

CAROLINE COUNTY, Md – The Caroline County Commissioners Office has passed new legislation; to make it so people, groups, and providers must get a permit to store sludge in the county.

“Which will create a new chapter 128 entitled Food Processing Residuals Storage Permit as part of the Caroline County code,” said Stewart Barroll, a county attorney.

County leaders have been looking to fix the sludge problem that has been affecting the area for quite some time. Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Director Alan Girard, applauded the County for taking this big step.

“Caroline County has been a statewide leader in addressing this issue, they have heard the concerns of the concerns of residents, and they have responded with this legislation, it took them some months to develop this, but that was only because they are very thoughtful and intentional.”

Residents have been uneasy about the issue, and Girard said this fix has been a long time coming. “Have caused citizens some concerns, not only from smells, insects but also water quality concerns you know when this material is stored in a way that is unsafe, it has the potential to run off to surface water, leach off to groundwater.”

The bill will require people, groups, and providers to meet certain parameters when working with DAF in Caroline County. At the Commissioner’s meeting, on September 17th, Barroll said, “This is an act to establish a food processing residuals storage permit, prohibiting a person from storing food processing residuals in Caroline County unless the person obtains a permit.”

Girard hopes this will help to gain some momentum with others in the local area. “Things seem to be moving in the right direction to ensure communities and the health of our environment is protected.”