Md. Code Regs. 26.04.06.56

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 26.04.06.56 - Research Project

A. The Department may issue a Sewage Sludge Utilization permit to utilize sewage sludge as part of a research project.

B. A research project may be designed to improve current sewage sludge utilization methods, develop new methods, determine the environmental or health effects of sewage sludge utilization, or any other sewage sludge related research project approved by the Department.

C. A research project may include:

(1) The application of sewage sludge at rates which exceed crop nitrogen or phosphorus requirements and the constituent concentration limitations specified in Regulation .37 of this chapter, on land specifically dedicated for research purposes;

(2) The application of sewage sludge at rates which exceed crop nitrogen or phosphorus requirements and the constituent concentration limitations specified in Regulation .37 of this chapter, on agricultural land specifically dedicated for research purposes with prior approval from the Maryland Department of Agriculture;

(3) The application of sewage sludge on a marginal land at rates greater than 50 dry tons specified in Regulation .42 of this chapter;

(4) The utilization of unstabilized sewage sludge if appropriate precautions are taken to assure that viable pathogens do not enter groundwater, surfacewater, or in any way cause an undue risk to the environment or public health, safety, or welfare as may be determined by the Department; or

(5) The growing of crops, such as vegetables and tobacco, if the purpose of the research is to determine the effect of sewage sludge on these crops, and the crops are not allowed to enter the human food chain, or in the case of tobacco, be used in any product.

Md. Code Regs. 26.04.06.56

Regulations .56 adopted effective 41:10 Md. R. 562, eff.5/26/2014