1Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review
2the Commonwealth's program for beneficial use of sewage
3sludge by land application.

4WHEREAS, In 1997, the Commonwealth established regulations
5for the beneficial use of sewage sludge, more commonly referred
6to as biosolids, by land application; and

7WHEREAS, The regulations are published under 25 Pa. Code Ch.
8271 Subch. J (relating to beneficial use of sewage sludge by
9land application); and

10WHEREAS, Subchapter J establishes standards for general and
11individual land application of biosolids permits for the
12beneficial use of biosolids by land application; and

13WHEREAS, The standards consist of general requirements,
14pollutant limits, management practices and operational
15standards; and

16WHEREAS, Subchapter J also includes pathogen and alternative
17vector attraction reduction requirements; and

1WHEREAS, The standards in Subchapter J include reporting
2requirements and the frequency of monitoring and recordkeeping
3requirements when biosolids are applied to the land for
4beneficial use; and

5WHEREAS, A comprehensive review of the Commonwealth's program
6for the beneficial use of biosolids by land application has not
7been conducted since the Study on Land Application of Sewage
8Sludge in Pennsylvania in 1997; therefore be it

9RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
10undertake a comprehensive review of the beneficial use of
11biosolids by land application and prepare a report of its
12findings which shall, at a minimum, identify all of the
13following:

14(1) The methods currently used for biosolids use and
15disposal in this Commonwealth.

16(2) The costs involved with current methods of biosolids
17use and disposal.

18(3) The methods used to administer and enforce the
19program established under 25 Pa. Code Ch. 271 Subch. J
20(relating to beneficial use of sewage sludge by land
21application) by the Department of Environmental Protection.

22(4) All appropriate alternatives to current use and
23disposal methods employed in this Commonwealth and in other
24states, particularly in regard to their economic feasibility
25and effects on the environment and on public health in
26comparison to current use and disposal methods;

27and be it further

28RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
29make a report of its findings and recommendations to the House
30of Representatives within one year of adoption of this

1resolution.