NoBiosolidsOhio is a grass roots organization dedicated to educating Ohioans on the detrimental affects of biosolids applied to our environment.
Our group started when a couple of residents noticed some major earthworks happening in a field and went searching through old newspapers to find out what was going on. Thankfully, they found this notice:
This is legally all that’s required to notify a community of a pending permit application for a storage lagoon for treated sewage.
A handful of concerned residents scrambled to tell as many neighbors as possible and push Ohio EPA (OEPA) for a public presentation and hearing, which had not been scheduled. After the initial presentation by OEPA, and the realization that OEPA’s regulations were not only lax and outdated but the revelation that the site will be self-monitored by operators with a known violation record, even more residents became extremely concerned a subsequently very vocal to OEPA with their concerns. Hundreds showed up to the public hearing and presented over three hours of testimony — all in complete opposition.
We stepped into high gear after the public hearing: we started weekly meetings, organized rallies, made and bought signs, attended local government meetings, formed committees, went door-to-door, put out hundreds of calls and emails, contacted media, tested our water, and most importantly united as a community. During this process, we’ve learned more about the toxic danger of land application of biosolids in addition to storage lagoons; already several farmers have taken their fields out of the program.
We’ve also formed relationships with other communities around the state and country, and as these relationships have developed and we’ve shared information back and forth, we’ve realized that this situation is much bigger than just our proposed 20 million gallon storage lagoon. Predatory companies target poorer rural communities, that are often unzoned, and use their cozy relationship with the EPA and politicians to railroad citizens against their will. We believe that this practice must stop, and that the right to protect our land and communities be returned to the people.
Four counties across Ohio (Perry, Greene, Morrow, and Wayne), as well as individuals all over the state that have serious concerns about the health and environmental dangers and the social and economic effects associated with biosolids are united in opposition to the use of biosolids. Collectively, we are moving for massive public awareness and, ultimately, legislation to protect individuals rather than huge corporate interests.
Check out our Take Action page to get involved and join the conversation on FB and Twitter. Thank you for being here!
