§ 4828 - Capital equipment assistance program
§ 4828. Capital equipment assistance program
(a) It is the purpose of this section to provide assistance to contract applicators and farms to purchase or use innovative manure injection equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce costs to farmers.
(b) The capital equipment assistance program is created in the agency of agriculture, food and markets to provide farms and custom applicators in Vermont with state financial assistance for the purchase of new or innovative manure injection equipment to improve manure application or nutrient management plan implementation.
(c) Assistance under this section shall in each fiscal year be allocated according to the following priorities and as further defined by rule by the secretary:
(1) First priority shall be given to capital equipment to be used on farm sites that are serviced by custom applicators and that are located in descending order within the boundaries of:
(A) the Lake Champlain Basin;
(B) the Lake Memphremagog Basin;
(C) the Connecticut River Basin; and
(D) the Hudson River Basin.
(2) Next priority shall be given to capital equipment to be used at a farm site which is located in descending order within the boundaries of:
(A) the Lake Champlain Basin;
(B) the Lake Memphremagog Basin;
(C) the Connecticut River Basin; and
(D) the Hudson River Basin.
(d) On or before January 15, 2009, and annually thereafter, the secretary of agriculture, food and markets shall report to the house and senate committees on agriculture and the house committee on fish, wildlife and water resources regarding the performance of and results achieved by providing capital assistance to custom applicators and farms for new or innovative manure injection equipment. (Added 2007, No. 197 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)