ANNAPOLIS (Jan. 6, 2005) – New nutrient management regulations are now in place to make the program more effective at protecting water quality and to ease the regulatory burden on farmers. The improved regulations implement the amendments to the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998 (WQIA) that were introduced by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. after an extensive public input process and passed by the 2004 General Assembly. The rules require farm operators to file specific information with Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) by March 1, 2005 on how they manage nutrients on their farms.

“Our goal with the legislative and rule-making process was to fix the shortcomings of the original nutrient management law to encourage full participation in this very important Bay restoration program,” said Governor Ehrlich. “We packaged guidance offered by all stakeholders into a successful bill which is now ready to be implemented. I am encouraged by the cooperation among all parties in this major effort to keep excess non-point source nutrients out of our waterways and I look forward to seeing results from our comprehensive Bay restoration efforts in the coming years.”

The 2004 Maryland General Assembly passed Governor Ehrlich’s nutrient management bill—a comprehensive package of legislative amendments to the WQIA stemming from recommendations made by stakeholders attending the 2003 Nutrient Management Summit. The bill makes it easier for farmers to comply with the WQIA by removing a right of entry clause, reducing paperwork requirements, and training more farmers to write their own nutrient management plans.

During the year, MDA worked closely with agricultural leaders and the Nutrient Management Advisory Committee to develop the regulations needed to implement the legislative changes. A series of public meetings was held in October to provide farmers and other stakeholders with information about the changes, receive comments and answer questions. The regulations went into effect on Dec. 22.

“Very shortly, Maryland farmers will begin receiving an information packet in the mail that explains the important steps that they must take in order to comply with the law,” said Secretary Riley. “We are ready to answer questions and offer support to farmers as the new deadline nears.”

Farm operators who have submitted their nutrient management plan information to MDA will receive an Annual Implementation Report and instruction sheet in the mail. The one-page report asks farmers to describe how they implemented their nutrient management plans in 2004. The report is due to MDA by March 1, 2005. A different information packet will be sent to farmers who have not submitted their nutrient management plan information to MDA. These farmers will receive a Nutrient Management Reporting Form and instructions. They will be required to submit the reporting form along with other required nutrient management plan information to MDA by March 1, 2005.

In the future, farm operators will receive an Annual Implementation Report in the mail each December. The report will be due by March 1 of the following year. Additional copies of the form may be obtained from MDA regional nutrient management offices or online at www.mda.state.md.us.

The Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998 (WQIA) requires all farmers grossing $2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight to run their operations using a nutrient management plan that addresses both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. The requirement applies to all agricultural land used to produce plants, food, feed, fiber, animals or other agricultural products. Farmers are required to update their nutrient management plans and take new soil samples a minimum of once every three years.

For more information on Maryland’s revised nutrient management regulations, please contact the Maryland Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959 or log on to www.mda.state.md.us/nutrient/nutmgmt.htm.