4986

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

waters; is a potential threat to human health, animal
health, and plant growth; and is a potential nuisance to
communities adjacent to a site where sewage sludge is being
utilized or disposed; and

WHEREAS, Utilization and disposal of sewage sludge may
impact future land uses in this State; and

WHEREAS, Short and long-term sewage sludge management
options must be considered immediately to assure that
adverse environmental impacts do not occur; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to establish a Commission to study the
utilization and disposal of sewage sludges and to recommend
a public policy for the short and long-term utilization and
disposal of sewage sludge; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall include in its
study:

(1)  Sewage sludge utilization and disposal
options and the environmental and public health impacts of
these alternative options;

(2)  The impacts of sewage sludge management
options on future land use in this State;

(3)  Definitions of the responsibilities of State
and local governments in the utilization and disposal of
sewage sludge;

(4)  The need for construction of advanced
treatment and disposal facilities;

(5)  The feasibility of pretreatment of wastes to
lower the amount of heavy metals and hydrocarbons that may
exist in certain sewage sludges;

(6)  The need for financial incentives to local
government or private industry for waste treatment and
disposal facilities;

(7)  Methods for the tracking of wastes,
including a system of invoicing wastes into and out of a
waste disposal facility;

(8)  The advisability of a public policy allowing
sewage sludge to be spread on agricultural land which may
make that land unsuitable for food chain crops; and

(9)  Recommendations for the effective
enforcement of permit requirements and restrictions
concerning the landspreading of sewage sludge; and