Kern County's Ban on Sewage Sludge Land Application

{{#badges: ToxicSludge}}Kern County's Ban on Sewage Sludge Land Application was passed via popular referendum in 2006.

Measure E, the Keep Kern Clean Ordinance of 2006

The language of the land application ban is as follows:

"BIOSOLIDS LAND APPLICATION BAN: INITIATIVE ORDINANCE. Prohibits the land application of biosolids in the unincorporated area of Kern County. “Biosolids” are treated solid, semi-solid or liquid residue generated during the treatment of sewage in a wastewater treatment facility. Land application of any materials containing biosolids is prohibited immediately. In addition,the ban prohibits the discharge of biosolids to surface waters and surface water drainage courses and prohibits leaching or other introduction of biosolids to groundwater aquifers. Biosolids, packaged for routine retail sales through regular retail outlets, which are primarily used for residential purposes in limited amounts are permissible and are excluded from the ban.

"Existing permit holders have six months to discontinue the land application of biosolids. An appeal procedure is established to request an extension of time to discontinue such application if special circumstances exist which create a hardship for those who have installed or constructed permanent improvements relating to the land application of biosolids. The final step of the appeal process is a hearing before the Kern County Board of Supervisors, which may grant an extension not to exceed six months.

"Violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or not more than six months in prison, or both, for each day of violation. An offender may also be required to pay for cleanup and disposal costs."

Articles and resources

Related SourceWatch articles

• Biosolids
• Sewage sludge
• Food Rights Network
• Kern County, CA

External resources

• Measure E, also known as the "Keep Kern Clean Ordinance of 2006."

External articles

• James Burger, "County to appeal sludge-ban injunction," The Bakersfield Californian, June 21, 2011.
• James Burger, "Measure E sludge ban on hold again; battle to continue," The Bakersfield Californian, June 9, 2011.
• James Burger, "Judge likely to freeze Kern's sludge law," The Bakersfield Californian, June 8, 2011.
• "Judge: Kern's sewage ban probably invalid," KGET, June 8, 2011.
• "Judge sides with LA in latest action on state sludge lawsuit," BakersfieldNow.com, June 8, 2011.
• "City of L.A., Kern County battle over human waste disposal," Los Angeles Times, June 7, 2011.
• James Burger, "Kern, Southern Cal both win points in sludge case," The Bakersfield Californian, January 18, 2011.
• Carol Ferguson, "LA vs. Kern: Sludge fight still slogging through courts," BakersfieldNow.com, March 4, 2011.
• James Burger, "County to enforce sludge ban," The Bakersfield Californian, January 18, 2011.