Mike Wolanin | The Republic The exterior of The Commons with the Bartholomew County Courthouse pictured in the background in downtown Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is planning to hold a public hearing on a request for a permit to create a sewage sludge-producing facility southeast of Columbus “due to citizen request.”
However, the time, date and location for the hearing have yet to be determined, state officials said.
The hearing comes as IDEM considers a request from Evan Daily of Biocycle LLC to accept dewatered biosolids for blending and use on farmland in Bartholomew and several neighboring counties. Biosolids are organic materials produced during the treatment of human sewage at wastewater treatment plants.
It also comes after dozens of local residents — including officials with Otter Creek Golf Course and Cera Sports Park and Campground —expressed concerns about the proposed facility. The concerns range from the possible adverse environmental effects of the facility to the impact of the smell that the facility could generate on nearby residences and recreational activities.
IDEM spokesman Barry Sneed said that no decision has been made on the permit application.
“Due to citizen request, IDEM is in the process of planning a public meeting and hearing for the permit,” Sneed said. “…Following the hearing, IDEM will need time to review the final hearing transcript and address comments.”
IDEM will announce the date, time and location of the hearing on its website, idem.in.gov, Sneed said.
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