Legislative Movement Against Poop Sludge Fertilizer in Oklahoma

An Oklahoma bill to temporarily ban spreading biosolids fertilizer, known around here as “humanure” or “poop sludge,” on farmland got a mention in the New York Times this week. The mention was deep in an article about the Environmental Protection Agency, for the first time, admitting that sewer sludge used as crop fertilizer poses human health risks because of the presence of forever chemicals, or PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances).

PFAS are in almost everything – from water bottles, clothes, protective gear, certain pots and pans, and, now, according to the EPA, in the sludge the federal agency has allowed to be spread on fields to make hay for livestock, and to seep into freshwater sources.

The human health risks of poop sludge are wide-ranging – autoimmune diseases, thyroid issues, and cancer, to name a few. The EPA could back up its new admission with stricter regulations.

Luther’s Biosolid Ban

Whether you follow the Facebook page, Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches, read the Investigate Midwest article last August,  “Fertilizer from human waste faces scrutiny but remains a profitable industry,” or remember when the Town of Luther banned poop sludge in 2020, we’ve had the opportunity in our area to become aware of the issue, even if we are fortunate enough to not be downwind of the putrid aroma.  

SB3 is a short bill that puts a short moratorium on land application of sludge/biosolids. The proposed bill got the mention in the NYT and also in First Watch, Oklahoma Watch’s morning email newsletter, where it described the bill’s authors, Sen. Grant Green, a rancher, and Rep. John George, who spent a career in law enforcement, as no “environmentalist tree hugger activists.” 

It’s notable the issue lured more media coverage, however, reading the stereotype, “environmental tree hugger activist,” is puzzling. Those who have pushed for awareness and reform are indeed passionate, well-researched, articulate, and relentless in sharing data and evidence with the power brokers, such as state legislators, at all government levels.

A BandAid or a Ban

Regardless, bravo to Sen. Grant and Rep. George, whose legislative districts include Luther. But what about Senator Shane Jett (Shawnee) and Rep. Jim Shaw (Chandler), who each have filed legislation on this issue? Instead of calling for a temporary ban on the practice like the Green and George proposal, they are calling for a permanent ban in HB 1726 (Shaw) and SB 268 (Jett) of “land application, spreading, sale, and distribution of biosolids , and to develop removal, remediation, and recovery for certain agricultural producers.”

The legislative show at 23rd and Lincoln in Oklahoma City begins in February. We’ll see if these bills make it to a committee, legislative floor, or the Governor’s desk. If you want to monitor the bills, or any others, you can sign up for alerts with LegiScan. PRO TIP: When you click on a bill author, there’s a link to FollowTheMoney.org that collects data from reporting agencies on campaign contributions. You can also use the state’s bill tracker.

Farmers and ranchers who have saved money by using free sludge, trucked in from the big city, are no doubt concerned about proposed regulations and new laws. Perhaps instead of waiting for the slow-churn of the government to do its thing, farmers are reverting to other ways of soil stewardship like organic fertilizers, crop rotation, permaculture, or composting.

Meanwhile, companies all over the world are tackling the problem of keeping PFAS Sludge out of fields and landfills by turning it into energy and other innovations.

The farmers and ranchers who are our neighbors are the “salt of the earth” to use a positive stereotype to describe honest and straightforward people. They might even hug trees if they have the time while toiling to grow our good food, and earn a living.