OUR VIEW: BOS should steer clear of biosolids facility

Risk of desecrating battlefields, contraindicating water and threatening quality of life is too much

During the spring, as farmers are fertilizing their fields in the county, we get a common phone call here at the office — what is that smell?

To paraphrase Pink Floyd, that smell is the smell of those around you — sometimes literally. As farmers look for cost-effective ways to fertilize, they’ve embraced using biosolids — the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of raw sewage sludge.

When the biosolids become wet, the stench is evident for miles around.

Recently, the Culpeper County Planning Commission voted against allowing a biosolids storage facility in the Elkwood area off Route 673, and the issue raised quite a stink in the community. The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors have the final say in February.

Recyc Systems, the Culpeper company who proposed the facility, is an important community partner, which does good things for Culpeper County. However, this time they’ve picked the wrong location. We harbor no ill will with Recyc Systems, but we agree with the multitude of property owners in the area — this is not the proper location for a storage facility.

The proposed land is at the convergence of four significant battlefields — the first and second Battles of Rappahannock Station, the Battle of Brandy Station and the Battle of Kelly’s Ford. We are extremely protective of our battlefields, and we are cognizant of the tourism battlefields produce here in Culpeper County. Adding a biosolid facility on battlefields would desecrate land that soldiers fought and camped on.

Add to that the proximity of the Rappahannock River and the possibility of the biosolids permeating the ground and contaminating the water is another great concern.

We understand that the premise behind the facility — a 100x200-foot storage structure — is that it would be domed and it would be tall enough for trucks to dump loads, no pun intended, in the facility. Breathable screens would also be in place to help mitigate the smell and prevent water or snow from entering the facility. That’s the best-case scenario, what about the worst-case scenario? What if water seeps into the facility, how will the resulting odor affect the quality of life of nearby land owners and ultimately the town of Culpeper?

We understand the use of biosolids and we respect the business of Recyc Systems, but we don’t want our fair town called Culpooper.

We encourage the Board of Supervisors to respectfully decline the proposed facility, it’s in the best interest of the county.

Should the Board of Supervisors approve a biosolids storage facility in the Elkwood area?

Yes - 551 votes - 52.8%

No - 492 votes - 47.2%