(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) (1) “Agricultural sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment” means sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment that originate from an agricultural operation’s land or animals. (2) “Agricultural sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment” does not include sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment that originate from a residential, municipal, […]
It is the intent of the General Assembly to create a voluntary program to recognize the environmental stewardship and contribution of Maryland farmers who implement and maintain best management practices consistent with the State’s goals to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment entering the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and other waters of the State.
(a) There is a voluntary Maryland Agricultural Certainty Program. (b) The purpose of the Program is to accelerate the implementation of agricultural best management practices to meet State agricultural nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reduction goals. (c) (1) The Department shall develop the Program in coordination with the Department of the Environment. (2) The Program shall be self–sustaining and revenue neutral. […]
(a) (1) A person that manages an agricultural operation may apply for certification under the Program. (2) To apply for certification, a person shall submit an application to the Department on the form the Department requires. (b) An agricultural operation may be certified as meeting the requirements of the Program if the agricultural operation is determined by the Department […]
An agricultural operation certified under § 8–1004 of this subtitle may be recertified for 10 years if the agricultural operation: (1) Meets the requirements under this subtitle; (2) Meets the laws, regulations, rules, and permit conditions applicable to the agricultural operation at the time of recertification; and (3) Receives approval from the Department of the Environment if the […]
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an agricultural operation that is in compliance and certified under this subtitle is not subject to: (1) State or local laws or regulations enacted or adopted after the date of certification that require the reduction of agricultural sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment to meet: (i) Chesapeake Bay […]
(a) A person that manages an agricultural operation certified under this subtitle shall: (1) Submit annually to the Department: (i) Nutrient management plan records, including: 1. Information identifying the person who manages the agricultural operation; 2. Soil analysis data for the land receiving nutrients; 3. Fertility recommendations for crops produced; 4. A summary of nutrients applied by source and crop type; and […]
(a) (1) At least once every 3 years within the 10–year certification period: (i) The Department shall require an on–site inspection, as defined by regulations adopted under this subtitle, of each agricultural operation certified under this subtitle to assure the agricultural operation continues to meet the requirements of this subtitle; and (ii) The Department of the Environment shall, if […]
(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. […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
The Department, with approval from the Department of the Environment, shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the Program.
(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 […]
