§ 8-901

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 nutrient or sediment credits in support of private and public nutrient or sediment trading activities between the buyer of nutrient or sediment credits and the farm owner or operator that agrees to be paid and implement best management practices to reduce agricultural nutrient and sediment runoff and nutrient emissions.