Borough Council of Tamaqua
Borough Hall
320 East Broad Street
Tamaqua, PA 18252
(Phone) 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300
(Fax) 570-668-5818
WHO DECIDES if our communities have to allow sewage sludge dumping?
A Public Forum for local and area citizens and elected officials
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cathy Miorelli, Tamaqua Borough Council Member, 570-668-1599 cmiorelli@tamaqua.k12.pa.us
Because the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to issue permits for land applied sewage sludge, despite the opposition of citizens and their local governments, it seems clear that the regulatory bureaucracy is disconnected from the democratic process.
The Borough Council of Tamaqua invites its citizens as well as local officials and citizens from surrounding municipalities to come together for a public forum that will address the dangers of the land application of sewage sludge. The forum will be held on Wednesday, July 26th at 7:00 PM at the Mohn Building, Tamaqua Community Center, Rear 229 Center Street.
The event will provide information about state preemptions of local regulations and will cover details of a new Ordinance under consideration by the Council. The Ordinance would end sludge hauling and dumping by corporations that operate under state permit, contrary to the will and better judgment of local citizens and their elected officials.
Neighboring municipalities are encouraged to consider this Ordinance to help create a regional barrier against “reclamation” schemes that would fill open pits and fields with human, industrial and medical waste products.
The forum will provide municipal officials and concerned citizens with the latest information about the dangers of the land application of sewage sludge, and the latest legal tools that have been prepared for municipal governments to protect communities from sludge.
Featured speakers at the event will include Russell and Antoinette Pennock from Berks County, whose son Daniel died after being exposed to land applied sewage sludge. They will speak about their experiences with sludge, the role of the Department of Environmental Protection, the courts, and the death of their son.
In the spirit of American self-governance, and to honor their oaths to protect the health, safety and welfare of their community, the Tamaqua Borough Council is extending this invitation to the citizens of Tamaqua Borough. In addition, citizens and their elected representatives from surrounding municipalities are invited to join us for this important discussion and exchange of ideas.