Subchapter II. Delaware Nutrient Management Commission
TITLE 3
Agriculture
Regulatory Provisions
CHAPTER 22. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Subchapter II. Delaware Nutrient Management Commission
§ 2220. Delaware Nutrient Management Commission; general powers and duties.
(a) The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission is hereby established. The Commission shall have the power to develop, review, approve and enforce regulations governing the certification of individuals engaged in the business of land application of nutrients and the development of nutrient management plans as set forth in this chapter. In addition, the Commission shall:
(1) Consider the establishment of critical areas for targeting of other voluntary or regulatory programs;
(2) Establish best management practices to reduce nutrient losses to the environment;
(3) Develop educational and awareness programs designed to voluntarily curtail use of nutrients by persons not otherwise covered by this chapter;
(4) Consider the development of a transportation and alternative use incentive program to move nutrients from areas with overabundance to areas needing nutrient sources;
(5) Make such other recommendations to the Secretary that it deems important for the furtherance of the goals of this Chapter; and
(6) Establish the elements and general direction of the State Nutrient Management Program.
(b) The Commission, in carrying out its duties under this chapter, shall consider comments from affected stakeholders and others interested in the activities of the Commission, including, but not limited to, the University of Delaware and other state and federal agencies, nonprofit groups, and others with an interest in nutrient management. In addition, the Commission shall consider prior work of the Governor's Agricultural Industry Advisory Committee on Nutrient Management.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission shall not hold any person or persons certified pursuant to this chapter responsible for violations committed by another person.
72 Del. Laws, c. 60, § 1.;
§ 2221. Adoption of regulations; voting; considerations.
(a) With the guidance, advice and consent of the Commission, the Secretary shall, by July 1, 2000, develop and adopt regulations to implement this chapter. A majority vote of the full Commission shall constitute consent for purposes of this subsection. Regulations shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Administrative Procedures Act.
(b) In developing regulations concerning nutrient management planning, the Secretary and the Commission shall consider any waste management planning requirements imposed on animal producers or nutrient users through their commercial processor and shall, to the maximum extent possible, strive to reduce any duplication in effort on the part of the contractor or property owner.
(c) The Commission may not approve any regulation and the Secretary may not promulgate any regulation that requires tilled lands to be converted for grass filter strips, vegetated and/or forested buffer strips along Delaware's lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, drainage ditches or any other natural or artificial conveyance system.
72 Del. Laws, c. 60, § 1.;
§ 2222. Composition; appointment; qualifications and term; compensation; vacancies; civil liability.
(a) The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission shall consist of 15 voting members and 4 ex officio members. The 15 voting members shall consist of the Director of the Division of Watershed Stewardship of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or his/her designee, 4 members appointed by the Governor, 3 members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 2 members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House, and 2 members appointed by the House Minority Leader.
(b) The 14 appointed members of the Commission shall be residents of the State, shall have participated in the industry or organization they represent for at least 5 years, and shall consist of 7 full-time farmers (2 from New Castle County, 2 from Kent County, and 3 from Sussex County), 1 commercial/agricultural nutrient applicator, 1 member of the commercial nursery industry, 1 golf course/lawn care industry representative, 2 members from 1 or more community-based environmental advocacy groups, 1 nutrient consultant, and 1 public citizen. The 7 full-time farmers shall further consist of:
(1) One dairy farmer;
(2) One swine producer;
(3) Three poultry farmers; and
(4) Two row-crop farmers (1 grain and 1 vegetable).
(c) The Governor shall appoint 1 farmer from Sussex County, the representatives from the commercial nursery industry, the golf course/lawn care industry and the public citizen. The Senate shall appoint 3 farmers (1 from each county), the nutrient consultant and 1 member from a community-based environmental group. The House shall appoint 3 farmers (1 from each county), the commercial applicator and 1 member from a community-based environmental advocacy group.
(d) The Governor shall appoint the Chairperson of the Commission from the 7 full-time farmers whose duty it will be to call, adjourn and preside over all Commission meetings.
(e) The term of office of each appointed member of the Commission shall be 3 years from the 15th day of March in the year of the member's appointment and until the member's successor shall qualify.
(f) Each appointed member of the Commission shall receive compensation of $100.00 per meeting. Commission members shall be compensated for no more than 16 meetings per year. Commission members shall be entitled to be paid reasonable expenses for traveling to and from any Commission or Commission sub-committee meeting or conference attended on official business for the Commission.
(g) Vacancies in any appointed position on the Commission for any reason other than the expiration of term of office shall be filled by the previous appointing authority for the unexpired term of any Commissioner. In each year where there are 5 appointed positions available, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Minority Leader of the House shall each appoint 1 Commissioner to the Commission. In each year where there are 4 appointed positions available, the Governor shall appoint 2 Commissioners and the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint 1 Commissioner to the Commission.
(h) All appointed Commissioners shall remain eligible for reappointment upon the expiration of their term with the exception of the public citizen, who may serve only 1 term unless rendered ineligible for reappointment by the provisions of this Code or Commission regulations. The public citizen appointment shall be alternated between the 3 counties.
(i) Any appointed member of the Commission who misses 3 consecutive meetings or is otherwise recommended for removal by the Commission may be removed by the appointing authority.
(j) Appointed Commissioners shall be appointed to their 1 st terms in the following manner:
(1) Five Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;
(2) Five Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
(3) Four Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
Thereafter, each appointed Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
(k) The Nutrient Management Program Administrator (NMPA) shall be a full-time, exempt state position selected by the Commission and created within the Department of Agriculture who shall act as the administrator of and be responsible for the operation of the State Nutrient Management Program.
(l) The 4 ex officio members of the Commission shall include the Secretary of the Department Agriculture, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, or their respective designees, and the Nutrient Management Program Administrator.
(m) In any civil action against the Commission or any of its members, civil liability shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 40 of Title 10.
72 Del. Laws, c. 60, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 395, § 319; 77 Del. Laws, c. 430, § 1.;