Section 8-1009 – Program to Certify Verifiers
(a) The Department, in coordination with the Department of the Environment, shall: (1) Establish a program to certify a person to verify whether an agricultural operation meets and is in compliance with the requirements of this subtitle; (2) Maintain a list of all certified verifiers; and (3) Publish the list of all certified verifiers on the Department’s Web site. […]
Section 8-1010 – Records Available for Public Review; Confidentiality
(a) Except as provided in § 8–1007(b) of this subtitle, all records and information concerning any agricultural operation certified by the Department under this subtitle shall be maintained by the Department and made available for public review in a manner that provides the greatest public disclosure of records and information while protecting the identity of the […]
Section 8-1011 – Revocation or Suspension of Certifications
(a) In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, on notice and opportunity to be heard, the Department may suspend or permanently revoke the certification of: (1) An agricultural operation certified under this subtitle; and (2) A person certified as a verifier under this subtitle. (b) A certification for an agricultural operation or a verifier issued under this subtitle may […]
Section 8-807 – Report on Coverage, Implementation, and Evaluation of Nutrient Management Plans; Inclusion of Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998
(a) On or before December 31 of each year, the Department of Agriculture shall report to the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on: (1) The farm acreage covered by nutrient management plans and the implementation and evaluation of those plans; and (2) In consultation with the Nutrient Management […]
Section 8-1012 – Regulations
The Department, with approval from the Department of the Environment, shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the Program.
Section 8-901 – Legislative Findings
The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Voluntary nutrient and sediment trading programs provide an innovative and cost–effective approach to enhance water and air quality and achieve additional water and air quality benefits; and (2) The Agricultural Nutrient and Sediment Credit Certification Program established under this subtitle authorizes the Department to verify, certify, and register agricultural […]
Section 8-1013 – Oversight Committee
(a) (1) The Department shall establish an oversight committee. (2) The oversight committee shall include representatives of diverse interests. (b) The oversight committee shall: (1) Monitor and provide oversight on the development and implementation of policies and standards relating to the Program; (2) Assist in the development of regulations adopted to implement this subtitle; and (3) Meet at least once every year […]
Section 8-902 – Voluntary Certification and Registration of Nutrient or Sediment Credits on Agricultural Land
(a) The Department may establish requirements for the voluntary certification and registration of nutrient or sediment credits on agricultural land, as defined by the Department of Assessments and Taxation. (b) Certification and registration requirements established under subsection (a) of this section shall include: (1) Application and eligibility requirements for certification; (2) Standards for quantifying nutrient or sediment credits resulting […]
Section 8-903 – Suspension or Revocation of Certification
On notice and opportunity to be heard, the Secretary may suspend or revoke the approval or certification of credits applicable for the Program for a violation of this subtitle or for a violation of any regulation adopted by the Secretary under this subtitle.
Section 8-904 – Other Nutrient or Sediment Offset Credits Not Affected
Nothing in this subtitle is intended to supplant or limit the authority of the Department of the Environment to establish eligibility and other requirements for use of nutrient or sediment offset credits under any State or federal permit or other regulatory program.