xvEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Office Of Water (4204) EPA 832-B-98-001 January 1998 Nomination Guidance 1998 Beneficial Use Of Biosolids Awards Program: For Operating Projects, Technology Development, Research, And Public Acceptance ------- INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the 1998 Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards Program. This is the eleventh anniversary of this highly successful program that recognizes outstanding operating projects, research studies, technological advances, and public acceptance activities which promote the beneficial use of municipal biosolids. EPA encourages your submission of nominations. This program is being announced on the Internet and in publications and bulletins. The very process of preparing a nomination package has considerable benefit. It helps preparers focus on the relevance of their efforts and facilitates the spread of knowledge about excellence of nominated activities so that others might benefit. Transfer of information about all nominated activities is very important; so, please do not miss the opportunity for submitting your nomination. EPA continues to encourage states and regions to have local Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards Programs. These local programs increase the opportunity for recognition, promote public understanding of biosolids recycling at the local level, and emphasize the benefits and sound science behind use. Water Environment Federation (WEF) Member Associations, the National Biosolids Partnership, and Regional Biosolids Management Associations will be encouraging nominations in this year's awards program. This expanded program significantly increases the number of deserving projects that receive recognition, and simultaneously helps achieve the goal of making the use of biosolids publicly acceptable by the year 2000. This pamphlet describes the awards program in detail and provides guidance for preparing and submitting nominations. Please note that you need to send your nominations to the EPA's Regional Offices by the deadlines specified in this document so that your outstanding efforts can be considered by both our Regional and National competitions. The National awards will be presented in October 1998 at the Annual WEF Conference and Exposition (WEFTEC) in Orlando, Florida. Sincerely, Michael J. guigley Director, Municipal Sbp'port Division Office of Wastewater Management ------- NOMINATION GUIDANCE for the 1998 BENEFICIAL USE OF BIOSOLIDS AWARDS PROGRAM OMB Control # 2040-0101 Expires 12-31-00 OMB NOTICE Interested respondents may express their concerns regarding this nomination guidance. The respondents' burden for this collection of information is estimated to average eight hours per response. The collection burden includes the time for the respondent to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and present the data needed, and complete and review the collection of information. EPA's burden is estimated to average six hours to review the responses. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden: to the Regulatory Information Division (2137), US Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20460; and to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503. PURPOSE The purpose of the awards program is to recognize significant contributions in the development and implementation of cost-effective, environmentally safe and publicly acceptable biosolids beneficial use practices which recycle nutrients, improve soil conditions, or otherwise conserve valuable natural resources. This excellence awards program helps EPA achieve its goal of promoting, collecting and disseminating information pertaining to the beneficial use of biosolids as authorized and encouraged under Section 405 (g) of the Clean Water Act. ------- AWARD CATEGORIES Nominations will be accepted for recognition of excellence in a wide range of activities that have stimulated beneficial use of municipal biosolids. National awards may be presented in the following categories: o Operating Projects (large & small). Outstanding, full-scale, beneficial use projects. o Technology Development Activities. Significant technological improvements that have been developed and fully proven at the operational level; these may be pilot or full scale activities. o Research Activities. Studies that have substantially contributed to an improved understanding of biosolids beneficial use practices, improved public acceptance, and/or advanced the technology. o Public Acceptance Activities (municipal & others). Significant local, regional, and national activities that have increased the acceptance by the public of biosolids beneficial use practices. NOMINATION AND AWARD INFORMATION o Nominations for awards may be submitted by anyone including the nominee, EPA Regions, States, WEF Member Associations, municipalities, consultants, researchers, or other interested parties. o Nominated entries may include both individuals and groups from private as well as public organizations. o As these Nomination packages are prepared, it is important to tell the story about your biosolids beneficial use activity in a manner that clearly shows the benefits and simultaneously reduces natural public concern. This information can often be utilized locally for press releases, brochures and other public acceptance purposes. o Previous first place winning projects or activities will not be considered as candidates for the same award category for a five-year period. However, second place winners can reapply after a one year wait to try for first place in the same award category. Unsuccessful nominees for awards may immediately apply again for an award the very next year. Persistence has paid -off for many nominees that have won awards after submitting an improved application in subsequent years. ------- Check with your Regional EPA office for any details about a possible local awards competition in your state. For consideration in the National Awards Program, completed nomination packages (see specified format pages 6 & 7) must be received in duplicate by the EPA Region in which your primary office is located (pages 9 & 10). The tentative Regional deadlines for receipt of nominations are shown on page 9. Important-Please check with your Regional Office contact (page 10) for any Region-specific nomination guidance and for that Region's final submission deadline. Entries will be considered for State and Regional Awards (where applicable) as well as National awards. Regions will forward one copy of each qualified Nomination package to EPA Headquarters by the June 5, 1998, National deadline. Nomination packages (received for the National competition) will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from EPA, WEF, and other groups against the evaluation criteria (see pages 4 & 5) during June 1998. State and EPA Regional offices (where applicable) will also review the nominations for a separate competition in their Region. Because the National and Regional award programs involve separate review panels and because all qualified entries may be considered in both competitions, it is possible that winners in the National award program may differ from the Regional award winners. Nominated activities may sometimes be chosen for special recognition rather than a categorical award. National award recipients will be notified by approximately July 24,1998. National awards consisting of a certificate and plaque will be presented in October 1998 at WEF's Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. Because of budgetary limitations, EPA will be unable to pay for travel to the awards program. Alternate provisions will be made to present awards to those unable to attend the National ceremony in October. Short articles describing National award winning beneficial use activities will be developed by EPA and WEF for publication in WEF's Operations Forum. Subsequent publications describing those Regional as well as National activities will be encouraged. Photographs prints (not facsimilie copies) and key facts about both winning and non winning entries are very useful in EPA publications that encourage beneficial biosolids recycling. ------- EVALUATION CRITERIA The beneficial biosolids use award candidates will be evaluated against the following criteria. FOR OPERATING PROJECTS Two Categories: Persons treating and/or applying biosolids in an amount equivalent to those generated in (1) <5 MGD and (2) >5 MGD facilities. If the facility only processes biosolids, then the two categories are (1) < 5 dry tons per day PTPD] and (2) > 5 DTPD. (Note: Categorization is based on the actual daily volumes processed, not the design size of the operation.) o Significant recycling/reuse of natural resources (e.g., nutrients, organic matter, and energy). o Sustained (several years), full-scale, proven operation. o Consistent, cost-effective operation. o Public acceptance. o Compliant with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. o Excellence in project management. o Land appliers should also indicate use of such criteria as nutrient management plans, crop optimization, etc. FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION OR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES o Sustained excellence in advancing our knowledge of technologies that recycle biosolids (e.g., improved design criteria or operational practice). o National application -- technology that has potential for use in many other areas across the country. o Operationally proven. o Resolved previous biosolids management or utilization problems. ------- FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES o Greater public acceptability of biosolids recycling. o Greatly improve our understanding of the environmental effects associated with beneficial use of biosolids. o Substantial contribution toward the development of improved technological design and operation. o Key information generated for the development of improved sludge biosolids regulations and guidance. FOR PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE [Two Categories: (1) Municipalities (2) All Others] o Demonstrated increases in both public acceptance and public demand (meeting WEF Biosolids 2000 goal). The term "public" is meant to include regulatory agencies, agricultural organizations, water quality professionals, public health officials, environmentalists, academic institutions, and the news media as well as the general public. Indicators of "demand" include such factors as waiting lists and users paying for biosolids. o Characterized by dedicated and successful individual and team efforts. o Demonstrated willingness to share information and approaches for gaining public acceptance. o Proactive successful approaches for working the press and other groups explaining the benefits of biosolids use, cultivating and gaining allies, and educating against unfounded alarmist stories that may arise. o Excellence in local information transfer and training efforts that have made a positive local difference, (e.g., on-site demonstrations and collaborative efforts involving the involvement of municipalities, citizens, universities, and others). ------- NOMINATION FORMAT The information described in the Nomination Format should be supplied in the nomination package. The completeness of information provided and the manner in which the nomination addresses the Evaluation Criteria in both the Executive Summary and the text is especially important. All nominations must be submitted in duplicate in the following format to the appropriate EPA Regional Office (see pages 9 & 10). 1. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION (See sample front page form on page 8) Name, address, affiliation, telephone number, NPDES number (if applicable), and the spokesperson for the project or activity. Please also indicate the applicable government officials that you would like notified should your entry win an award (see form on page 8). 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (2 pages or less) Describe the project or activity indicating the award category for which the nomination is proposed and how it meets the evaluation criteria. 3. FACILITY/ACTIVITY INFORMATION (4-5 pages) Provide the following relevant information, if applicable, to adequately support the nomination. (a) Biosolids type, quantity (expressed as dry solids used per day, week or year), quality (nutrient and pollutant concentrations compared with Part 503 Table 3 pollutant concentration limits), processing information, and other details relevant to the beneficial use practice or activity. Be specific regarding the unit processes, including biosolids production and processing details. Account for the types and amounts of biosolids going to each beneficial use practice (and disposal practice - if any). (b) Duration and size of the project or activity; extent of ability to operate at design level; and cost and effectiveness information. (c) Describe the project monitoring program as it determines compliance, keeps the public informed of biosolids transport and use, evaluates performance, and helps modify practices. (d) Describe the contributions of the cooperating parties to the beneficial use project or activity. ------- (e) Provide sufficient information so that the awards judges can determine the compliance of nominated projects with applicable local, State, and Federal regulations. (f) Describe important project management activities that maintain and promote excellence and maximize the benefits of biosolids use, (e.g., hold down costs; improve biosolids quality; use a written code of good practice or other means to promote compliance with rules, manage nutrients and minimize odors and other nuisances; and promote acceptance via working with allies, press and the public). (g) Describe training activities which have improved operations, performance, and public acceptance. (h) Describe the effectiveness of the local pretreatment program that has resulted in better quality and easier use of biosolids. (i) Describe special innovative practices or activities. (j) Discuss how obstacles (technical, political, public acceptance, or other) have been overcome as a result of the nominated activity. (k) Give evidence of the enhanced benefits that have resulted from the activity such as lower costs for biosolids management, lower energy consumption, payments for biosolids by users, enhanced soil properties, better crop productivity and quality, enhanced plant disease resistance, lower human health risks, greater National adoption of practice, and improved public acceptance and demand for biosolids products. 4. ATTACHMENTS Supporting materials may be attached. The attachment should include a short cover index page that lists the various supporting materials and gives about a 4- to 6-line description of each item. Photographs of the activity are strongly encouraged. Please provide the actual photographic prints rather than facsimile copies of prints, since only the prints are suitable for printing in publications. EPA and others would like to use your prints in publications that promote beneficial use of biosolids and provide greater recognition of your activity. Note: Sheer bulk of information is not desirable. Be concise and attach items that truly substantiate the importance and relevance of the beneficial use project or activity. Please do not send materials that you wish to have sent back because application materials are not returned. ------- SAMPLE FRONT PAGE (1998 Biosolids Beneficial Use Awards Program) I. Proposed Award Category II. Facility Identification Name a) Official Name and Address of Award Entity to be Engraved on Plaque and Certificate b) Type of Ownership (e.g., corporate, private or public, university, etc.) Zip Codes of Service Area (used to notify US Representatives) c) Contact Person Regarding the Nomination Their Title, Address, Telephone No. III. Award Notification a) Name, Organizational Title, Address and Telephone No. of Local Official (e.g., Mayor, Authority Board President, Corporate President, Department Chairman, etc.): b) Federal and State Political Notifications US Senators & Representatives (list names only) State Governor's Name & Address c) Other 8 ------- TENTATIVE REGIONAL DEADLINES FOR NOMINATIONS EPA Tentative * Region Deadline Dates States 1 05-22-98 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont 2 03-13-98 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands 3 05-22-98 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia 4 05-22-98 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee 5 05-22-98 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin 6 05-22-98 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas 7 06-01-98 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska 8 05-22-98 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming 9 05-22-98 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam 10 05-22-98 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington * These deadline dates for receipt of award nomination packages are tentative. Please check with your Regional Office for verification. ------- EPA REGIONAL CONTACT: (See List of States in Each Region, Page 9) Region Address Contact Telephone 10 EPA Municipal Assistance Unit One Congress Street, (SPN) John F. Kennedy Federal Building Boston, MA 02203 Charles Conway Div of Enf & Compliance Assistance Alia Roufaeal 290 Broadway, 20th Floor New York, NY 10007-1866 EPA Water Protection Division Jim Kern 841 Chestnut Street (3WP23) Philadelphia, PA 19107 EPA Water Management Division Jim Adcock Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth St, SW Atlanta, GA 3033-8909 EPA Water Division (WN-16J) John Colletti 77 West Jackson Chicago, IL 60604 Outreach Team, Customer Svc Br Ellen Caldwell Water Quality Protection Div (6WQ-CO) 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202 EPA NPDES & Facilities Management Branch 726 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101 Biosolids Mgmt Program (P2-W-P) 999 18th Street, Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202-2466 EPA Clean Water Act Compliance Office (WTR7) 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 EPA NPDES Permits Unit (OW130) 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 For Additional Information Call Carol Park of NBMA Mike Turvey Bob Brobst Lauren Fondahl Audrey Washington 617-565-3517 Fax: 617-565-4940 212-637-3864 Fax: 212-637-3953 215-566-5788 Fax: 215-566-2302 404-562-9248 Fax: 404-562-9224 312-886-6106 Fax: 312-886-7804 214-665-7513 Fax: 214-665-6490 913-551-7424 Fax: 913-551-7765 303-312-6129 Fax: 303-312-7084 415-744-1909 Fax: 415-744-1235 206-553-0523 Fax: 206-553-1280 206-684-1145 Also The Water Environment Federation Contact: Attention: Technical & Educational Services 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-684-2400 Fax: 703-684-2492 10 ------- PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL BIOSOLIDS USE AWARD WINNERS Category Winner [Activity] AwarcT/Year Operating City of Houston, TX [Heat Dry & Land Ap Lima Stab] 1st 1997 Projects Duckett Creek San Dist, St Charles, MO [Land Ap Aerobic Dig] 2nd 1997 (>SMGD) King County, WA WPC Div [Forest & Farm] 1st 1996 County San Distr of LA, CA [Diverse] 2nd 1996 City of Austin, TX, [Multiple Uses] 1st 1995 Tacoma Utilities Services, WA [Land Ap, TAGRO Soil Mix] 2nd 1995 City of Los Angeles, CA [Multiple Uses] 1st 1994 City of Columbus, OH [Multiple Uses] 2nd 1994 Clayton Co, Water Authority, GA [Heat Dry, Comp.] 1st 1993 City of Austin Water 4 WW Util, TX [Co/np, ,4/r Or] 2nd 1993 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Util. Dist., NC[LandAp] 1st 1992 Truckee Meadows Water Reclaim, Dist., CA {Land Ap] 2nd 1992 City of Omaha, NE [Land Appl.] 1st 1991 Miami-Dade, FL [Air Dry, Composting, Marketing] 2nd 1991 Vallejo San. & Flood Control Dist., CA [Land Ap] 1st 1990 Cape May County Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [Composting] 2nd 1990 Hampton Roads, VA [Nutragreen - Land Ap., Comp.] 1st 1989 Clayton Co., GA [Comp, Heat Dry, Tree Prod.] tie 2nd1989 Pima County, AZ [Land Application] tie 2nd1989 Seattle Metro, WA [Forest & Ag. Land Use] 1st 1988 San. Dist of Los Angeles Co., CA [Composting] 2nd 1988 Operating Univ. Joint Auth., State College, PA [Composting] 1st 1997 Projects Summerville, SC [Liquid Land App] 2nd 1997 (<5 MGD) Newton, IA WPC Facility [Anaerob Land App] 1st 1996 Port Townsend, WA Biosolids Composting Facility 2nd 1996 Elizabethton, TN [Co-composting] 1st 1995 Chippewa Falls, VI\[Land Ap by Injection] 2nd 1995 Cumberland County Util Auth, tiJ[LandAp] 1st 1994 City of New Smyrna Beach, PL. [Land Ap] 2nd 1994 Lafayette Wastewater Trtment Plant, GA [Land Ap] 1st 1993 Chillicothe Munic Util WW Tmt Pit, MO [Liq Land Ap] 2nd 1993 The City of St. Peters, MO [Land Appl.] 1st 1992 The Sussex Co. Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [In-Vess, Comp] 2nd 1992 Alpena, Ml [Revegetate Industrial Waste Site] 1st 1991 Blackfoot, ID [Land Appl., Outreach] 2nd 1991 Hannibal, MO, Bd of Pub. Works [Econ Land Ap] 1st 1990 Redwood San. Sewer Service Dist., CA [Co-Compost] 2nd 1990 Technology King County, WA WPC Div [Forest Bios App System] 1st 1996 Development WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac. [Scrubber and Mixing Advances/Comp. Odor Com] 1st 1992 City of Lancaster, PA [Composting Odor Cont.] 2nd 1992 N-Viro [Alkaline Stabilization of Sludge], OH 1st 1990 WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac. [Thermal Odor Control} 2nd 1990 Austin, TX [Accelerated Air Drying] 1st 1989 WSSC Montgomery Co. MD, Regional Compost. Fac. [Chemical Odor Control] 1st 1988 Sussex Co., NJ [Compost Odor & Process Control] 2nd 1988 (continued on next page) '1st and 2nd place awards are not always given 11 ------- PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL BIOSOLIDS USE AWARD WINNERS (cont.) Category Winner [Activity] AwarcP/Year Research City of Phila.Water Dept, PA [Camp Opns & VOC's] 1st 1995 Activities Dr. Terry Logan, Ohio State Univ, OH 1st 1994 Rocky Mt. Forest & Range Exp Sta, NM 2nd 1994 Los Angeles County San Dist, CA [Comp Odor/VOC] 1st 1993 Drs. Al Page & Andrew Chang, Univ of CA, Riv. 1st 1991 Dr. Paul Giordano, Tenn Valley Authority, AL 2nd 1991 Dr. Rufus Chaney, US Dept. of Agriculture, MD 1st 1990 Dr. Michael Overcash, NC State University 2nd 1990 Univ. of MN, USDA Research Team 1st 1989 W124/W170 Regional Research Comm., USDA, CSRS 1st 1988 Allentown, PA/Penn State U, Palmerton [Reveg] 2nd 1988 Public Cartersville, GA [Municipal 1st 1997 Acceptance Memphis, TN, TE Maxson WW Trt Pit [Municipal 1st 1996 City ofTacoma, VJA[Municipat\ 2nd 1996 New England Interstate WPC Commission [Other] 1st 1996 Rocky Mts. Water Environ Association [Other] 2nd 1996 Dr. Lee Jacobs, Mich State Univ., Ml [Other] 1st 1995 Special Springfiled, MA [Overcome Serious Odors/Acceptamce] 1997 Recognition Maine Compost Team, Augusta [Team Excellence] 1997 Mountains to Sound Greenway Biosolids Forestry Program, WA [Stakeholders Use Biosolids Env Ben] 1996 Environ. Waste Recycling Inc., NC [Pub Acpt & Opns] 1996 Northwest Biosolids Mgmt Assoc, WA [Pub Acpt] 1994 Maine Waste Water Control Assoc, ME [Pub Acpt] 1994 Oyzboyd Environmental Svc, GA [Vert Bed Dewater] 1994 City of Tampa, FL Hookers Point WW Trt. Plant [Optimizing Use of Digester Gas] 1992 Dr. Arthur E. Peterson, Dept of Soil Sci, Madison, Wl [Sludge Research in W/\ 1992 The College of Forest Resources, Univ of WA [Cooperative R&D, Appl to Forest Ecosystems] 1992 NutraLime, St. Paul, MN [fncin. Ash + Water Treatment Sludge for Land Improvement] 1991 Metro. Water Reclam. Dist. of Greater Chicago [Long Term Multiple Contrb. to Beneficial Use] 1991 BioGro Systems, Inc., MD [Sustained Service & Enhanced Public Acceptance] 1990 City of Los Angeles, CA & Ag Tech Co., AZ [Public- Private Team from Ocean Disp. to Ben Use] 1989 East Bay Municipal Utilities Dist., CA [Sustained Contribution to Beneficial Use & Composting] 1989 Honorable Pole Bridge Creek San dist, Dekalb Co, GA [Land Ap] (OP) 1997 Mention City of Gastonia, NC [Land Ap] (OP) 1997 Letchworth Ave WWTP, Billericia, MA [Comp] (OP) 1997 Winston-Salem, NC, Archie Elledge WWTP [L A] (OP) 1996 Littleton/Englewood, CO WW Trt Pit [Dryland] (OP) 1996 Louisville, CO WW Trt Pit [Windrow Comp] (OP) 1996 Rochester Water Reclamation Plant, MN [Pub Acpt] 1996 Bloomington & Normal Water Rec Dist, IL [L AP] (OP) 1995 Knoxville, TN Util Bd [LandAp, Strip Mine] (OP) 1995 St Charles MO River Trt Fac, [Land Ap] (OP) 1995 City of Salem, OR [Land Ap] (OP) 1994 Reedy Creek Improv Auth, FL [Comp] (OP) 1994 Broward County, FL [Mkt & Product] (Res) 1994 Benton Harbor-St Joseph, Ml WW Trt Pit [L Ap] (OP) 1992 (continued on next page) '1st and 2nd place awards are not always given 12 ------- Honorable Madison, WI, Metro-Gro [Land Use] (OP) 1988 Mention Lime Lakes, OH, PPG Corp. \Priv. Svc. Reclaim Alk Site] (OP) 1988 (cont.) Bowling Green, KY [Land Application] (OP) 1988 Hannibal, MO [Land Application] (OP) 1988 Fallbrook, CA [Verm/composting ] (TD) 1988 Ohio State Univ, Wooster, OH [Composting Biotech.] (Res) 1988 *1st and 2nd place awards are not always given 13 ------- |