Turtle Valley Biosolid Land Application

A notification under the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation for the Turtle Valley Bison Ranch was submitted to the ministry on January 28, 2019.

The notification indicates that the purpose of the proposed land application is to improve grazing conditions on an area of land that was recently logged by providing nutrients and a growth medium for plants.

This will ultimately result in the establishment of vegetation and improved habitat.

According to the notification, a top soil mixture will be created using up to 9% biosolids (dry weight), clean carbon feedstock (wood chips) and native soils.

The blend ratio of biosolids to the other materials is calculated to prevent the potential leaching of nitrogen through the soil profile to groundwater or surface water.

The submitted Turtle Valley Bison Ranch Land Application Plan indicates routine sampling and analysis of the manufactured soils will be conducted to determine actual nutrient levels to ensure no overloading of leachable nitrogen occurs.

For additional protection of the nearby Chum Creek and Chum Lake, the Qualified Professional has implemented a setback of 60 meters from Chum Creek and 100 meters from Chum Lake, rather than the minimum set back of 30 meters required under the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation.

Unlike traditional fertilization where organic matter is directly applied to the surface of the soil to provide nutrients to the plants, the land application plan for the Turtle Valley Bison Ranch is for the application of a manufactured soil.

The proposed application rate is not unusual for this method of application.

The creation of a manufactured soil rather than surface application is often used when disturbed soils are:

• Severely nutrient deficient
• Devoid of organic matter
• Soil biota and nutrient cycling activities, and
• Lack adequate moisture holding abilities

The goal at the Turtle Valley Bison Ranch is to reclaim an area that was previously logged.

The manufactured soil will not only serve as a nutrient source, but will also provide a medium for vegetation to grow.

The rate at which the manufactured soil will be applied to the ranch has been calculated based on the nitrogen content of the biosolids and the amount of biosolids in the manufactured soil.

The nitrogen content in the previously stored City of Kamloops biosolids is lower than nitrogen content of typical fresh biosolids.

In accordance with the Land Application Guideline (PDF, 8MB), the Qualified Professional must carefully assess:

• Site slope and topography
• Soil texture and permeability
• Aspect and climate

They make a professional judgement of site suitability based on these factors.

Where biosolids are to be applied to a slope, it may be appropriate to increase the buffer distance from surface water to reduce the potential for runoff to enter the watercourse.

The ministry understands that the current area proposed for the land application of biosolids on the Turtle Valley Bison Ranch will be re-contoured. 

The ministry does not have information regarding the proposed final slope. However, it's the ministry’s understanding that a surveying company has been retained to ensure details can be obtained for final contours and soil placement.

In addition to any contouring planned, the ministry understands the Qualified Professional has implemented a setback of 60 meters from Chum Creek and 100 meters from Chum Lake, rather than the minimum setback of 30 meters required under the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation, to ensure protection of waterbodies.

The ministry will conduct inspections of the site in accordance with standard ministry practice to ensure biosolids have been applied in compliance with all aspects of the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation. 

If the ministry has reason to believe the land application of biosolids is causing or is likely to cause pollution, it may conduct any testing required to make this determination and take action as needed to ensure protection of the environment and human health.  

Additionally, as per the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation, a Qualified Professional must certify that the biosolids have been applied in accordance with the Land Application Plan.

The Qualified Professional has stated in their submitted Land Application Plan that routine monitoring of actual nutrient levels in the amended soils will be conducted. 

In addition to sampling and analyzing the biosolids, soils amended with biosolids will also be sampled and analyzed to ensure they meet the agricultural land use standards in the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation.

These standards ensure soil and groundwater are protected and take into account protection of both human health and the environment.

In accordance with the Land Application Guideline (section 11.12.1) (PDF, 8MB), Class B biosolids and Class B compost cannot be applied in watersheds that are permitted for supply of drinking water, as defined under the Safe Drinking Water Regulation (BC Reg 230/92), amended to the Drinking Water Protection Regulation.

Under the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation, notification to the medical health officer is required for applications of managed organic matter in watersheds. The medical health officer can veto or impose restrictions on the application. 

There are no known drinking water supplies that are permitted under the Drinking Water Protection Regulation (as per section 9(6) of the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation) in this watershed.

Please contact the local medical health officer if you have further questions about the watershed or local drinking water systems.