Supervisor introduces six-month moratorium on out-of-county biosolids as resident urges PFAS testing

The Washington County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 19 introduced Introductory Local Law I of 2025, a proposal to impose a six-month moratorium on the purchase or application of biosolids originating outside Washington County. The law was read into the record by the clerk and sponsored by Supervisors Wilson, Skelly, O'Brien, Clary, Fisher, Baker and Wang.

Kingfisher resident Ron Atkinson, during the public-privilege period, thanked supervisors for taking the step toward a moratorium and urged further action on the county’s composting facility. "I do thank the Washington County Board of Supervisors for at least initially attempting to address this very important issue with PFAS contamination," Atkinson said, and referenced a recent Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) newsletter describing draft policies that would mandate testing requirements and PFAS limits for compost before it is distributed to the public.

Supervisor Charles Hall recommended tabling Resolution 3-13, which would have required Washington County Sewer District No. 2 to implement a quarterly testing regimen for biosolids at the composting facility. "The DEC is actively pursuing the actual testing, and what those criteria and labs are gonna be," Hall said, arguing the board lacked enough time to digest new DEC guidance that had just appeared. A motion to table Resolution 3-13 carried.

The introduction of the moratorium and the decision to defer the testing resolution leave the county temporarily without locally imposed testing requirements; board members and public speakers said they expect state DEC guidance and lab approvals to clarify technical requirements in the coming months. Atkinson offered to provide research and information to the board as it develops local policy.

Next steps: Introductory Local Law I was introduced for consideration; the transcript records the reading and sponsorship but does not record final adoption during this meeting. Resolution 3-13 (quarterly testing) was tabled pending additional DEC guidance.