The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on January 7, 2025, featured a significant discussion regarding the application of biosolids on farmland in the region. A resident from Chehalis raised concerns about the environmental impact of biosolids, particularly regarding potential runoff into local streams and aquifer recharge areas.

The speaker highlighted a new permit issued by the Department of Ecology for the application of biosolids in Lewis County, expressing ongoing worries about pollution affecting water systems. This resident has been advocating against biosolid applications for over 20 years, citing legislation such as Senate Bill 6163, which was passed unanimously by the state Senate and addresses concerns related to biosolids.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified over 700 harmful chemicals present in biosolids derived from municipal solid waste, further fueling the resident's concerns. The speaker noted that Lewis County previously joined a lawsuit against the Department of Ecology, which they lost, and also filed a personal suit that did not succeed. However, they reported a positive outcome from their efforts, as the Department of Ecology is now conducting test wells in shallow areas of biosolid application sites to ensure that water levels are at least three feet below the surface before any application occurs.

This discussion underscores ongoing environmental concerns in Lewis County regarding biosolid management and its implications for local water quality. The BOCC will likely continue to address these issues as they arise in future meetings.