Drafter
Clerk 07/07/2009
Title
A MOTION accepting a report on the efforts of the wastewater treatment division in the department of natural resources to analyze available alternative uses of biosolids, and approving the work program and schedule for implementation of any alternatives for managing and marketing King County's biosolids as required in the 2009 Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 16312, Proviso P2, and directing the wastewater treatment division to prepare a strategic plan for biosolids management.
Body
WHEREAS, King County markets and manages its biosolids for environmentally beneficial purposes according to the policies in the Regional Wastewater Services Plan, and
WHEREAS, King County periodically evaluates new markets and technologies for the beneficial use of biosolids, and
WHEREAS, King County seeks to maximize reliability and environmental benefits from biosolids recycling while minimizing risk and cost of the program to ratepayers, and
WHEREAS, 2009 Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 16312, Proviso P2, requires approval by motion of a report addressing the wastewater treatment division's efforts to evaluate alternative uses of biosolids including, but not limited to, those proposed via a request for information in 2008, as well as the status of the work program, next steps and a schedule for potential implementation of biosolids alternatives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The Alternative Uses and Market Opportunities for Biosolids report, Attachment A, addressing the wastewater treatment division's analysis of available alternative uses and market opportunities for biosolids, including attributes, risk and reliability, flexibility, community support, cost and benefits, status of work program and next steps is hereby accepted.
B. The wastewater treatment division is directed to proceed with development and completion of a strategic plan within two years for future biosolids management. The strategic plan shall be submitted to the council and regional water quality committee for approval.
C. The strategic plan should seek to achieve both environmental and economic objectives, incorporate a full range of public and stakeholder input and thoroughly address factors that are likely to affect the marketplace for beneficial uses of biosolids.
D. The development of the strategic plan should analyze opportunities to potentially work with other wastewater treatment agencies and should also analyze opportunities for beneficial uses that may be coordinated with other King County utilities and agencies.
E. The wastewater treatment division should continue with its existing biosolids program until the strategic plan is complete and during development of the plan:
1. Establish a new composting contract for a small portion of the county's biosolids during the winter months, if it results in lower costs to ratepayers, and evaluate potential methane emissions, which will inform the strategic plan development';
2. Plan and implement a gravel mine or similar land reclamation project and conduct other research and demonstration projects that test carbon sequestration methodology, which will inform the strategic plan development; and
3. Seek other opportunities to develop or participate in pilot projects to utilize
biosolids as an energy source or biofuel, which will inform the strategic plan development.
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