Georgia State Assemblyman Rob Leverett, R-Elberton, introduced new legislation Thursday to give counties additional powers to monitor the spread of soil amendments and discourage illegal application.
The changes, often wastewater from the processing of animal products, are marketed as a way to improve soil consistency and texture. Local residents and environmentalists say traders distribute it improperly so it can smell, attract pests, and sometimes contaminate water.
“It was a big problem in my district and a few other districts around me,” Leverett said ahead of the law’s official introduction. “I think it’s an important program and I think it’s a good program. I want the program to survive and I’m just concerned that some of the abuses by some bad actors will affect the overall health of the program.”
The main objective of the legislation – HB 477 – is twofold.
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What’s on the bill?
First, she sets up an online portal through the State Department of Agriculture. Counties that sign up for the portal may require soil improver distributors to log when they apply a soil improver, what they apply, and where it is distributed at least 48 hours before application begins. Violating the notification requirements may result in a $1,500 fine. According to Leverett, it resembles a Forest Service portal for timber harvesting. If districts do not want to use the portal, they can choose not to require it.
The second part of the bill allows the Agriculture Commissioner to delegate limited enforcement powers to a county officer. Those officials could issue a cease and desist order for up to 48 hours and notify the Department of Agriculture if there are a few, egregious violations — propagating an unregistered soil change, improperly plowing the change, or applying the change to the rains.
The bill also has bipartisan support. It is co-sponsored by Rep. Jesse Petrea, R-Savannah; Rep. Brian Prince, D-Augusta; and Rep. Mack Jackson, D-Sandersville. Prince said the changes have created significant quality of life issues in the Jefferson County portion of his district and some local enforcement scrutiny will help address the issue.
“Right now, the city and county’s hands are tied,” Prince said.
The legislation is a first joint effect to address some of these issues, he said.
“That gets the conversation going. We have the right people at the table,” said Prince.
to get support
Leverett said he gathered feedback from a number of parties before formally unveiling the bill. The parties include local county officials in his district as well as in Jefferson and Warren counties, Savannah Riverkeepers, industry representatives such as Denali, the soil improver distributor, and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia.
“Counties in Northeast Georgia have seen an increase in the disposal of industrial by-products, and this has resulted in citizens complaining about the unpleasant odor, swarms of flies and concerns about threats to drinking water,” said Kathleen Bowen, deputy Director of Government Affairs for ACCG, noted in an email. “…Counties want to know where soil amendments are being applied in their respective counties, have the ability to inspect locations where soil amendments are being applied, and have very limited, well-defined enforcement powers.”
If the law doesn’t pass, Bowen wrote, the ACCG hopes the Department of Agriculture will have additional resources to enforce the soil improvement laws.
Other lawmakers are interested in Leverett’s bill.
State Senator Max Burns, R-Sylvania, said he was considering, but not required to, introduce legislation of his own later in the session.
“I am working with Rep. Leverett and I look forward to finding good solutions to protect Georgians that allow the industry to grow and expand,” he said.
Senator Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown, confirmed he plans to work with Leverett on his bill.
“We need to get it under control,” he said, and make sure “it’s being laid out correctly and we know what’s in each shipment.”
