Pause on agricultural use comes in light of concern over “forever chemicals” and is effective immediately
From Steuben County NY, photo from BeyondPesticides.com
The Steuben County Legislature has officially adopted Local Law Tentatively No. Seven for the Year 2026, establishing a six-month moratorium on the issuance of new biosolid land application permits in Steuben County.
The resolution was approved following a public hearing held on May 18, 2026, in the Legislative Chambers at the Steuben County Annex Building in Bath.
The temporary moratorium comes in response to growing concerns surrounding PFAS “forever chemicals” and their potential impact on farmland, groundwater, and drinking water through biosolid field applications.
Under the adopted local law:
- Existing NYS DEC-issued biosolid permits currently in place may continue operating.
- Municipal biosolid applications are excluded from the moratorium.
- No new permits for land application of biosolids will be issued in Steuben County for six months unless updated regulations are approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
County legislators stated the measure is intended to provide time for the NYS DEC to finalize updated statewide regulations aimed at addressing environmental and public health concerns associated with PFAS contamination.
The local law takes effect immediately upon passage.
More reading on Biosolids from WSKG:
