HB1340: Sewage sludge; localities located in karst region to prohibit application in their boundaries.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1340
Offered January 22, 2010
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 62.1-44.19:3.01, relating to prohibiting the land application of sewage sludge in certain localities.
Patron-- Gilbert

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 62.1-44.19:3.01 as follows:

§ 62.1-44.19:3.01. Land application of sewage sludge in karst regions.

Any locality having karst terrain within its boundaries may by ordinance prohibit the land application of sewage sludge within the locality on and after July 1, 2010. For the purpose of this section, the term "karst terrain" means terrain with distinctive landforms and hydrology created from the dissolution of soluble rocks, principally limestone and dolomite and characterized by springs, caves, sinkholes, and a unique hydrogeology that results in aquifers that are highly productive but extremely vulnerable to contamination.