|
These words begin the preamble to the United States Constitution. Most of us can recall being required to memorize that piece of writing in Elementary School. We grow up believing that those words mean something. They represent our rights, our power, and our Democracy. On November 21st I realized that those rights, that Democracy was no longer mine. That was the day that I discovered I was living across the street from a proposed Sewage Sludge spread site and that there seemed to be nothing I, or anyone else, could do about it. Over the weeks and days that followed more and more people in Campbell County awoke to that same realization. What we found was that a Corporation holds more power, more rights than Citizens and communities, and that the state allows corporations to use that power to circumvent the will of citizen majorities.
Sewage Sludge is defined in the Harper Collins Dictionary of Environmental Science as a “viscous semi-solid mixture of bacteria and virus laden organic matter, toxic metals. Synthetic organic chemicals and settled solids removed from domestic and industrial waste water at a sewage treatment plant” This toxic soup was dumped in the ocean until the “dead zone” it was creating became too large to ignore. The obvious question is, if it is toxic to ocean life, how can it be safe for our families, our farms, our environment, and our community?
The fact is that no one can guarantee that the land application of Sewage Sludge is safe. It is linked to 100’s of illnesses around the country and many deaths. The EPA’s own 503 rules governing the Land Application of Sewage Sludge states that even treatment options for Class B Sludge, the type proposed for spreading in Campbell County, “do not eliminate all pathogens” That same class of Sludge is also referred to as Non EQ for pollutant content. It is offered to farmers with promises of lush fields and bank accounts that can hold on to money usually spent on fertilizer. I’m sure that reports of farmers losing their herds to heavy metal poisoning after exposure to Sewage Sludge are not included in the sales pitch. Do the glossy brochures tell about the contaminated wells, sick neighbors, sick livestock, and ponds and streams suddenly devoid of fish? Are the farmers told that sewage sludge is not covered under the right to farm act, and that those farmers who allow corporations to spread sewage sludge on their fields are legally responsible for any sludge-related illnesses of their neighbors?
Some statements have been made to label CATS as anti- farming. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our group is wholly supportive of agriculture. It is our position that “farming” with sludge is not actually farming. The practice threatens the health of those exposed to it and the productivity of the land on which it is applied. Our concern includes the well-being of farmers, their families and their land.
I am confident I speak for every person gathered in support of this ordinance we present to you today, when I say that I do not want any member of my family, any friend, any neighbor to become another “documented victim”. I do not want my story to be one of tragedy that inspires others to act. I want my story to be one of a mother who gave every bit of herself to protect her children, and succeeded.
The Virginia Constitution declares that “all power is vested in, and is consequently derived from the people,” that “It shall be the commonwealth’s policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment and general welfare of the people of the commonwealth,” Further The Virginia Code, Section 15.2 – 1200, states that “any county may adopt such measures as it deems expedient to secure and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its inhabitants” To reach this goal, We the people, the voters, of Campbell County present the “Campbell County Sewage Sludge Ordinance” to you, our Board of Supervisors, and request that you adopt this binding ordinance to enforce our Constitutional rights as referenced above. This ordinance will prohibit Corporations from engaging in the land application of sewage sludge and guarantees that those Corporations cannot use their “Constitutional Rights” to attempt to overturn the ordinance. In short this ordinance gives back to the Citizens of Campbell County some of the Democracy taken from them by Corporations and the state.
We the people, ask you ,OUR Board, which derives its power from the people, to represent Campbell County citizens’ interests and rights and to protect our community from the hazards of toxic sewage sludge. Each of you took an oath when you were elected by us, and now we ask that you honor us. There is no neutral position on this issue. Silence and or inaction are an endorsement of the Sludge Companies. Due to the time sensitive nature of this issue, and in an effort to prevent any sludge from being spread before the adoption of this ordinance, we respectfully request an answer by January 16th. Our group and Our Attorney will be happy to meet with the Board at your request.
Respectfully,
Jennifer England
and the members of C.A.T.S
|
Call us at 434-376-1871 for more information on how to stop sludge in your community. |
|
|