As Maryland limits the use of toxic sewage sludge fertilizers due to contamination, a controversial plan to transport this hazardous material to Virginia has ignited resistance from environmental advocates and farmers who worry about potential harm to their land and waterways.
Virginians Push Back Against Maryland's Sewage Sludge Fertilizer Plan
Virginians Push Back Against Maryland's Sewage Sludge Fertilizer Plan
Fears rise in Virginia as Maryland seeks to export restricted sewage sludge fertilizer, raising health and environmental concerns.
Maryland's recent regulations on sewage sludge fertilizers, prompted by the discovery of harmful “forever chemicals,” are raising alarm in Virginia as an attempt is made to export this potentially toxic material across state lines. The push comes from Synagro, a significant supplier of sludge-based fertilizers, which is seeking permission to apply greater amounts of this substance to rural Virginia farms.
Local environmental groups, fishing advocates, and concerned farmers are uniting in opposition, arguing that importing contaminated fertilizers, deemed unsafe for Maryland farms, threatens to poison Virginia’s agricultural lands and vital water systems, including the Potomac River. Dean Naujoks from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network stated, “These sewage sludge fertilizers aren’t safe enough for farms in Maryland, so they’re coming to Virginia,” emphasizing the injustice of this transfer.
This situation underscores a growing trend where states with more stringent environmental protections become cautious, while neighboring areas with laxer regulations run the risk of becoming depositories for hazardous waste. The resistance in Virginia marks a critical juncture in the broader national dialogue about agricultural safety and environmental responsibility.
