Broadneck 2016 Year in Review Pt. 5 – A Big Stink Over Compost

Image by: Ramiro Barreiro/Wikipedia

The BCC works with the Arnold Preservation Council (APC), Growth Action Network (GAN) and the Greater Severna Park Council (GSPC) with whom we have a close collegial relationship. We have worked to support AA County Legislation in support of our mutual goals to protect the Broadneck. Unfortunately we have recently been voted down in some important legislation as a recent Bill passed the County Council to allow composting businesses without a public hearing in rural areas of the county, including those areas on the Broadneck. The Council voted 7-0 to allow property owners to operate a composting business on RA zoned properties of not less than 5 acres, with a maximum of 10 acres for the processing.

In areas next to residential properties, business interests can install a composting process using components from “carbon compounds” to include food scraps from schools, businesses, restaurants, plus manure from farm animals plus dead cows allowed to putrify as part of this operation. A Council amendment required the cows for compost include only animals owned by the composter.

Maryland Department of the Environment is expected to oversee and inspect all these composting operations, but due to staff shortages we know and have testified that the limited inspections staff will not be available for sufficient oversight of these composting businesses. There is no guarantee that the composting operation will be performed according to defined procedures. The threat of odors or water contamination spreading from these putrefaction operations is the main concern for our communities.

Both Ann Fligsten, GAN Exec Director and attorney, and Pat Lynch, BCC, testified against this high risk legislation. Our Councilman M. Peroutka, voted in favor of this Bill and in favor of the property rights of those who want to compost on an industrial scale.  We felt that a public hearing should be required to protect the property rights of property owners living near/next to the composting properties.