These rules require record keeping and reporting for certain technical monitoring and assessment, management practices, and certain certifications of compliance. Because these requirements and any requirement in sludge permits would be excluded from the self-evaluation privilege, EPA believes that South Dakota has the authority necessary to administer the sludge management program to assure protection of public health and the environment, and invites comment on this issue. The State Historic Preservation Officer determined that no historic properties would be affected by the addition of the biosolids program. Biosolids are, in effect, a slow release nitrogen fertilizer with low concentrations of other plant nutrients. In addition to significant amounts of nitrogen, biosolids also contain phosphorus, potassium, and essential micronutrients such as zinc and iron.
Many western soils are deficient in micronutrients.
Biosolids are rich in organic matter that can improve soil quality by improving water holding capacity, soil structure and air and water transport. Proper use of biosolids can ultimately decrease topsoil erosion. Most simply, biosolids is the new name for what had previously been referred to as sewage sludge. Sewage sludge now refers to untreated primary and secondary organic solids. Until 25 years ago, the traditional practice in this Region was to landfill or incinerate what was then called sewage sludge.