Non-Sewage Waste Transfer Program

As part of Act 129 of 2020, signed into law by Governor Scott on July 1, 2020, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) was directed to regulate the generators or haulers of non-sewage waste who are transporting or arranging for the transport of non-sewage waste to a farm for the deposit into a manure pit or for use as an input in a methane digester.

Qualification

Eligible wastes:

• Non-sewage waste that is transported to a farm for the deposit into either a waste storage facility, or a methane digester is regulated by AAFM’s Non-sewage Waste Transfer Program.

"Non-sewage waste" means any waste other than sewage that may contain organisms pathogenic to human beings but does not mean stormwater runoff.

Ineligible wastes include, but are not limited to:

• Solid wastes as defined by the Solid Waste Management Rules
To learn more about managing solid waste, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Solid Waste Management Program.
Ben Gauthier: (802) 522-5080 I Benjamin.gauthier@vermont.gov

• Food residuals and food processing residuals to be composted in exceedance of 2,000 cubic yards annually
To learn more about managing food residuals to be composted, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Solid Waste Management Program.
Ben Gauthier: (802) 522-5080 I Benjamin.gauthier@vermont.gov

• Biosolids, wastewater sludge, septage, water treatment residuals, short paper fiber, or wood ash
To learn more about managing these residuals, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Residuals Management & Emerging Contaminants Program.
Eamon Twohig: (802) 490-6189 I eamon.twohig@vermont.gov

• Direct land application of non-sewage waste by the hauler/generator
To learn more about direct land application of non-sewage waste, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Indirect Discharge Program.
Bryan Harrington: (802) 505-0972 I bryan.harrington@vermont.gov

Application Process

Prior to the transfer of non-sewage waste to a farm’s manure pit or for use as an input in a methane digester, AAFM requires that the applicant transporting or arranging for the transport of waste:

1. Submit the following application materials:

Non-sewage Waste Transfer Application Form – for each waste stream that you are proposing to transfer.
Storage Capacity and Nutrient Management Form – for each proposed recipient farm listed in Section C of the Transfer Application Form. Please contact all farms listed on the application form and only include farms that have agreed to receive the waste transfer, indicated that they have adequate storage capacity and land base to accept the waste, and signed the form.
Lab Analysis – analysis of the non-sewage waste that you are proposing to transfer for all the parameters listed in Section D of the Transfer Application Form.

2. If AAFM’s review of the application materials indicates that the proposed recipient farm(s) have storage capacity and land base to accept the proposed waste transport, AAFM will issue Reporting Requirements for the Transfer of Non-sewage Waste which will specify the timeframe for reporting and sampling parameters for the waste that is transported. If the farm does not have the capacity to accept the proposed waste transport, AAFM will provide a determination that transport to that farm is not approved.

3. After approval of the transfer, the applicant is required to submit the Non-sewage Waste Transfer Reporting Form along with required transport reports and waste analysis in the timeframe specified in the Reporting Requirements document.

Contacts

For questions regarding application and reporting:

General inquiries: AGR.WQpermits@vermont.gov
Jessica Mason: (802) 595-4726 l Jessica.Mason@vermont.gov

For questions regarding the regulatory statute:

Laura DiPietro, Director Water Quality Division: (802) 595-1990 | Laura.Dipietro@vermont.gov

Table of Contents

Program Forms

Background