The Steuben County Legislature has approved a six-month moratorium on new biosolid land application permits amid growing concerns over PFAS contamination.
Lawmakers adopted Local Law Tentatively No. Seven for 2026 following a public hearing on Monday in the Legislative Chambers at the Steuben County Annex Building in Bath.
The temporary moratorium halts the issuance of new permits for the land application of biosolids in Steuben County for six months unless updated regulations are approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
County officials said the action is intended to give the DEC additional time to finalize updated statewide regulations addressing environmental and public health concerns linked to PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS compounds have raised concerns nationwide because of their persistence in the environment and potential impacts on groundwater, drinking water, and farmland.
Under the newly adopted law, existing biosolid permits already issued by the DEC will remain valid and can continue operating. Municipal biosolid applications are also exempt from the moratorium.
The local law took effect immediately following its adoption.
