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 8-803.3 – Nutrient Application Educational Programs
(a) This section does not apply to: (1) A person who applies nutrients to 10 acres or less of land each year; or (2) A person who applies nutrients for hire. (b) A person who engages in the activity of applying nutrients to land which the person owns or manages and which is used for agricultural purposes shall complete […]
Section 8-803.4 – Application of Fertilizer by Professional Applicator
(a) In this section, “fertilizer” means a commercial fertilizer and specialty fertilizer. (b) (1) This section applies to a professional fertilizer applicator who applies fertilizer to: (i) Property that is not used for agricultural purposes; or (ii) State property that is not used for agricultural purposes. (2) This section does not apply to the application of fertilizer on commercial farms. (c) (1) Each […]
Section 8-803.5 – Application of Fertilizer by Persons
(a) In this section, “fertilizer” means commercial fertilizer and specialty fertilizer. (b) (1) This section applies to a person who applies fertilizer to: (i) Property that is not used for agricultural purposes; or (ii) State property that is not used for agricultural purposes. (2) This section does not apply to the application of fertilizer on commercial farms. (c) A person may not: […]
Section 8-803.6 – Certification Program for Professional Fertilizer Applicators
(a) (1) The Department shall, in consultation with the University of Maryland, establish a program to certify professional fertilizer applicators. (2) The certification program shall provide professional fertilizer applicators with training and education in the following subject areas: (i) The proper use and calibration of fertilizer application equipment; (ii) The hazards involved in, and the environmental impact of, applying fertilizer, […]
Section 8-803.7 – Public Education Program; Soil Testing; Fertilizer Turf Guidelines
(a) The Department, in consultation with the University of Maryland, shall develop a program of public education that shall include: (1) The dissemination of information regarding nutrient pollution; (2) Best management practices for fertilizer use; (3) Soil testing; (4) Proper interpretation of fertilizer label instructions; and (5) The proper use and calibration of fertilizer application equipment. (b) The University of Maryland shall […]
Section 8-803.8 – Regulation of Fertilizer and Its Application
(a) Except for enforcement as authorized under § 8–803.5(g) of this subtitle, the Department has the exclusive authority to establish standards regulating fertilizer and its application to turf. (b) A local government entity may not adopt laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, or standards regulating fertilizer and its application to turf. (c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do […]
Section 8-803.9 – Regulations
The Department may adopt regulations for agricultural research, education, and demonstration exemptions to this subtitle.
Section 8-804 – Regulations; Advisory Committee
(a) The Department shall establish a Nutrient Management Advisory Committee. The Secretary shall appoint to the Committee representatives of the agricultural community, the environmental community, the commercial lawn care, biosolids, and agricultural fertilizer industries, academia, and appropriate government units. The Secretary also shall appoint to the Committee a representative of county government from a list submitted […]
Section 8-805 – Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Certificates or Licenses
Subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, the Department may deny, suspend, or revoke a certificate or license for a violation of this subtitle or for a violation of any regulation adopted under this subtitle by the Department.