Subject:
Title
Public Hearing Re: Extension of Temporary Moratorium on New Applications of Biosolids to Lands within Brevard County.
End
Fiscal Impact:
FY 20/21: Advertising Costs
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Local Planning Agency conduct a public hearing on extension of the 180-day moratorium on any new applications of biosolids to lands within Brevard County.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
On October 8, 2019, in regular session, the Brevard County Commissioners approved Ordinance 19-20, a 180-day moratorium on any new permits that would expand the application of biosolids to lands in Brevard County. The Board directed staff to sample potential causes or contributing factors of lake pollution and report back to the Board in six months for re-evaluation.
On April 7, 2020, in regular session, the Board of County Commissioners voted in favor of Ordinance 20-05, a 180-day extension of the temporary biosolids moratorium. On October 6, 2020, in regular session, another 180-day extension was passed as Ordinance 2020-18. The moratorium was extended again on March 9, 2021, in regular session, as Ordinance 2021-07.
Biosolids legislation in Senator Mayfield's Clean Waterways Act (Senate Bill 712) was approved by the Legislature on March 12, 2020, and approved by Governor DeSantis on June 30, 2020. This legislation directed the Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to revise its rules to reduce the impacts of biosolids on water quality and allowed for the extension of county biosolids moratoria adopted prior to November 1, 2019. On June 21, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1309 allowing the FDEP to move forward with rule adoption without review by the Environmental Regulation Commission.
The Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) developed rule revisions that are expected to reduce phosphorus pollution but not prevent it. The Water Management District is continu...
Click here for full text