SALISBURY – A proposal to ban dissolved air flotation (DAF) storage tanks in Wicomico County will move forward with the support of the Wicomico County Council.
In a recent work session, the Wicomico County Council agreed to have legal counsel review the possibility of banning DAF storage tanks that hold poultry rendering waste.
While the storage of the liquid organic fertilizer is currently permitted in various zoning districts, the construction of a three-million-gallon DAF tank on Porter Mill Road prompted officials to consider limits, or bans, on the storage of such material.
“The county does have the authority to regulate storage of waste products,” Councilman Bill McCain said. “The state controls the application of the product, and the local authorities have the authority over storage facilities.”
The topic of DAF tanks was first introduced in 2019, when a building permit was issued to allow a local farmer to construct a multi-million-gallon DAF tank on Porter Mill Road. Several nearby residents and environmental advocacy groups, however, have since shared their concerns with the council regarding the smells and potential hazards associated with the tank. There has also been litigation in Wicomico County Circuit Court challenging the validity of that storage tank and the permit issued for its construction.
Whatever they decide, it’s not going to help those who are neighbors of that slop tank and the horrible smell and flies they have to endure. With this being a really hot and humid summer, the stench has been overbearing.
Now an the Wicomico County Council ban all chicken houses and ban the spread of chicken poop on farmer’s fields?