The media and Solway project critics are repeatedly misstating a critical fact regarding reports I prepared for TDEC earlier this year. The annual reports I submitted to the Knoxville TDEC office in 2008 were NOT recreated reports and DID NOT replace reports missing from our TDEC file and were never intended to replace the missing reports. In fact, copies of what may be the missing reports have only recently been found (not created) during document discovery related to the false claims lawsuit. I have forwarded copies of those documents to TDEC.

Apparently, several “annual reports” that the Solid Waste Department had submitted to the TDEC Knoxville office over several years went missing during one or more open records reviews of our file by citizens. TDEC cannot determine exactly when the documents were removed. According to TDEC log records Knox County employees have never made a request to see the file. I learned just today that a map indicating the location of three wells adjacent to the site is also missing from the file. We have a copy of that map in our office and will supply it to TDEC.

In a January 3, 2008 letter, TDEC required me to submit “annual reports” for the years 2003 through 2005. Local TDEC officials know I did not work for Knox County during that period. At that time I did not know about the missing reports and the letter from TDEC to me makes no reference to missing reports.

In 2007, the previous Solid Waste Director, John Evans submitted an annual report to TDEC certifying that the biosolids received at the Solway Greenwaste Facility for the calendar year 2006 had been processed according to regulations. That report requires an audit of the PFRP (process to further reduce pathogens) records kept by the contractor, a statement of the % solids of incoming biosolids and quarterly test records. We interpreted the TDEC request for annual reports to be this report. A review of existing project records is required to complete the certification.

I reviewed 12 notebooks of project records held by the contractor, known as “windrow notebooks” from 2003 through 2005. The windrow notebooks are a detailed record of the daily temperature readings and turning schedule for the windrows. In addition, I reviewed records from 4 wastewater treatment plants regarding the % solids of the sludge delivered to the site. I also reviewed all the tests conducted for the material after PFRP was completed. TDEC had previously reviewed the test results during their monthly inspections.

I submitted the reports to TDEC and they were accepted. The allegations that these reports were falsified, incomplete or anything other than a routine response to a document request is completely false.

Tom Salter, Knox County Solid Waste Director