ATT: EXPERT PANEL MEMBERS: OPEN LETTER
Dear Sec. Bryant:
Thank you for your clarification during the September 18, 2007 meeting of the Biosolids Expert Panel whereby you
emphasized and reiterated, during citizen presentations, that the citizens will not be allowed to identify the
problems nor the agency and staff that have created the sludge pollution disposal issues which have drawn the
attention and action of the General Assembly. The formation of this Panel, mandated by the Virginia General
Assembly, exhibits the severity of the problem-issues facing Virginia and its citizens' health re exposure to harmful
sludge pollution constituents.
However, when the VDH Director responded to the question of why DEQ had been tasked with permitting and why
VDH had to relinquish it's permitting authority, you remained silent when the Director responded that VDH had
neither the funds nor staff to continue permitting sludge pollution disposal sites. Again, you were silent while
realizing that VDH had not requested adequate funding nor staff increases from the General Assembly. In fact,
the VDH has continuously permitted sludge pollution sites, in excess of 400,000 acres, while being completely
aware that it could not monitor this acreage nor the current estimated 50,000+ applied acreage (in excess of
450,000+ dry tons applied). SEE JLARC 2005 STUDY (VDH MONITORED 19 OUT OF 1,100+ APPLICATIONS).
The citizens were pleased when Mr. Golden, DEQ, later responded that DEQ had the confidence of the General
Assembly which has increased DEQ's funding and authorized the hiring of 20 additional staff with 13 assigned for
monitoring and inspecting biosolids land application sites for compliance. Additionally, he introduced Mr.
Zahradka as manager of the program. Mr. Zahradka has stated his task is to reinstate the public's confidence in
the sludge pollution disposal program while modifying regulations and submitting addition safe guards for
Virginians and their environment.
This vindication of those citizen speakers is clearly visible and stated in the Panel's minutes. However, no mention
is given as to the substance of the citizens' presentations. As co-chair, this is your prerogative to restrict and limit
what you wish the Panel and/or public to know or hear.
With all due respect, your time in office is limited and subject to the next administration. The citizens affected by
sludge pollution, AKA biosolids, will continue for their lifetime, such as Janice Buchholz, Barbara Rubin, Bill Amos,
and a host of other Virginians. Additionally, until meaningful measures are taken for protecting the public and
their environment, many more effects will be created by exposure to sludge pollution constituents. All with our tax
monies being used against the public by indifferent government employees.
Again, it is your prerogative, as an appointed co-chair, to take a statesman-like posture for fellow Virginians or to
continue to restrict citizen's participation in revealing the "truths" of sludge pollution exposure.
To date, I have not received your reply to my 9-28-07 inquiry relative to your 9-25-07 request for "accredited
physician statements attesting certain patient's' illnesses are biosolids-related." Again, your response is
requested as the documented statements are available with certain legal restrictions as noted in my 9-28-07
response letter.
Please be assured that the issues are real and the General Assembly and Citizens' determination on this subject
is consistent. We will not accept anything less than meaningful action and results.
Respectfully,
C. W. Williams, Chair
Biosolids Information Group
VDH-BURAC Citizens' Representative
P. O. Box 9871
Richmond, VA 23228
nrzahradka@deq.virginia.gov
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your message left on my answering machine. I am presently renovating one of my properties and
was unavailable for your call.
If I understood your message correctly, you stated that the audio of the 9-18-07 Panel Meeting will be listed on the
DEQ website next week. This will allow listeners the opportunity to hear the Citizens' comments and presentations.
You stated that this was part of your plan and complications of organizing have prevented this before the
scheduled next week. Also, you stated that you did not incorporate a summary of Citizens' presentations as you
did not want to appear subjective re the comments.
While the above is well and good, there has been no notice of these proposed actions. We have spoken
concerning other issues but not re the above promises. I am not aware of any notification to the general public.
Seemingly, it is up to the individual that may or may not visit the site to procure any listed information. Additionally,
I have not received your response to my original site location request. Cal sent an email that he is responding.
I am not sure what your interpretation of my open letter to the SNR is? However, I certainly reread each line
before emailing and stand by the content as being truthful and accurate without spin persuasion.
One response from a Citizen is that she will remember this come election time. Many others have voiced the same
opinion and this is why there will be changes in the upcoming election.
On a personal note: I realize that you, Jeff and the Secretary are only following orders and to object would cause a
demise in future advancements. However, this is not my problem. I have seen the ill effects of sludge pollution
exposure and am committed to rectifying this horrendous situation regardless of expenses and personal attacks.
One must become thick skinned to survive the personal filth that is associated with the filth of sludge, i.e., lying,
deceiving, disconnect, disregard, deception and dirty politics.
I have pledged my cooperation to you and expect to continue my voluntary service to the Commonwealth as well
as the Citizens who are in dire need of my assistance. It does seem strange that an individual is dedicated, to this
extent, in helping his fellowman at no charge; so be it.
PS: If you read the email carefully, you will see the support promulgated for the DEQ and staff. Additionally, you
will see that the Citizens will defend their right to be heard and present relative evidence. Please note the first
Panel task is "Are citizen-reported health symptoms associated with the land application of biosolids?" We will
accept nothing less than the opportunity to present these reported cases to the full Panel.
Respectfully,
CW