Residents press Albemarle supervisors for biosolids and CAFO rules after large land purchases
July 15, 2026 | Albemarle County, Virginia
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A wave of public commenters at the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 15 urged the board to move quickly to regulate intensive confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and the land application of biosolids.
Christine Putnam, a member of two county advisory committees, told supervisors she lives near farms that receive biosolids and urged the board to “protect our farmland, waterways and natural ecosystems by moving forward on a biosolids ordinance and taking steps to regulate confined animal feeding operations.” (Christine Putnam)
Multiple speakers — including Stuart Overby, Tim Schmidt, Adelaide O’Brien and Paula Beasley — asked the board to adopt a resolution of intent to direct staff to draft an ordinance, or to impose a temporary moratorium while rules are developed. They cited a 2024–2026 body of academic studies and local experience suggesting risks from nutrient runoff, pathogens and airborne emissions, and raised particular concern about private wells and the Todier Creek watershed near Scottsville.
Supervisor discussion acknowledged the urgency raised by residents and the need to understand legal constraints, including Virginia’s Right to Farm Act and state permitting (DEQ). County staff said they could scope a fast‑track process and return in about 30 days with a draft resolution of intent and an assessment of the work‑plan impacts; the board asked staff to report in August on the staffing trade‑offs required.
County officials said they would consider using outside legal or technical resources — which other Virginia counties used when they adopted CAFO ordinances — to speed the drafting. Staff cautioned that any expedited effort would require reprioritizing Community Development work and that a public review and planning commission process would follow.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the board directed staff to bring back a formal resolution of intent and a scoping memo detailing timeline and resource impacts.
Christine Putnam, a member of two county advisory committees, told supervisors she lives near farms that receive biosolids and urged the board to “protect our farmland, waterways and natural ecosystems by moving forward on a biosolids ordinance and taking steps to regulate confined animal feeding operations.” (Christine Putnam)
Multiple speakers — including Stuart Overby, Tim Schmidt, Adelaide O’Brien and Paula Beasley — asked the board to adopt a resolution of intent to direct staff to draft an ordinance, or to impose a temporary moratorium while rules are developed. They cited a 2024–2026 body of academic studies and local experience suggesting risks from nutrient runoff, pathogens and airborne emissions, and raised particular concern about private wells and the Todier Creek watershed near Scottsville.
Supervisor discussion acknowledged the urgency raised by residents and the need to understand legal constraints, including Virginia’s Right to Farm Act and state permitting (DEQ). County staff said they could scope a fast‑track process and return in about 30 days with a draft resolution of intent and an assessment of the work‑plan impacts; the board asked staff to report in August on the staffing trade‑offs required.
County officials said they would consider using outside legal or technical resources — which other Virginia counties used when they adopted CAFO ordinances — to speed the drafting. Staff cautioned that any expedited effort would require reprioritizing Community Development work and that a public review and planning commission process would follow.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the board directed staff to bring back a formal resolution of intent and a scoping memo detailing timeline and resource impacts.
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