Farmers and ranchers interested in fertilizer can ask the city of Casper for a supply.

It's free, and local farmer/rancher Kelly Burch said as long as you comply with the city's requirements it's a perfect program.

"The biosolids have great fertilizing value, equivalent to commercial fertilizers in my opinion," Burch said. "It's a great program and we are very appreciative of what the city does there."

Working together with the Natrona County Conservation District, the city found a way to dispose of biosolids from the wastewater treatment plant in a safe and productive way, according to a memo from Public Services Director Gary Clough.

Additionally, sending the biosolids, mixed with a certain percentage of compost, reduces disposal costs for the city.

This is one of several programs led by the conservation district and in conjunction with the city. As a result, the Casper City Council approved another $25,000 for the conservation district in a recent meeting.

The city has contributed to the district since 1992, initially with $12,500 each year. In February 2006 the council decided to double the allocation because of the increasing number and cost of programs done by the district, Clough continued.

In order to apply for the biosolid fertilizers, a landowner must have a soil analysis done and contact the conservation district. Conservation district employees work with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to make sure that the levels of selenium and nitrates will be the perfect amount, said Maggie Myers, the district manager for the conservation district.

The district also assures that the biosolids won't be stored too close to water to prevent potential contamination. Before final approval, the request is sent to both the city and the Environmental Protection Agency.

"To be able to recycle something is obviously why we are a conservation district, and it's a very economical fertilizer for the landowner," Myers said.

The district is also working with the city and the Department of Environmental Quality to examine stream segments of the North Platte River and its tributaries above Casper, Clough wrote.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com.

For more information:

Contact the Natrona County Conservation District at 234-4022 for more information about biosolid fertilizers or any other district program.

Contact the Natrona County Conservation District at 234-4022 for more information about biosolid fertilizers or any other program.]]->