SYRACUSE -- The New York State DEC is investigating the smell along the state Thruway in Central New York.

A CNY Central investigation, which revealed that the New York State Thruway Authority was importing processed human sewage from as far as New Jersey and spreading it along the roadway in Central New York, has sparked an investigation by the DEC.

On Tuesday, CNY Central's Jim Kenyon uncovered the fact that the Thruway Authority was using compost made from sewage as part of a reseeding project along the 15 mile stretch between the Baldwinsville and Weedsport exits.

The contractor in charge of the reconstruction project is importing the compost from municipal waste water facilities in Schenectady and Delhi in New York along with another plant in Burlington County, New Jersey.

On Friday, a spokesperson for the state DEC said in an email that the agency, "Is confirming with the New York State Thruway where they received the composted material from and then confirming with those sources that they are abiding by our regulations."

Last year, the DEC issued a permit for the seeding project but it does not specifically mention of the use of compost made from municipal sewage.