26apr01...0610h

2001 SESSION

01-0068

08/10

HOUSE BILL 105-FN-A

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food to establish a program of agricultural nutrient management in the state of New Hampshire. This bill provides for funding through June 30, 2003, and requires the commissioner to apply for a grant from the department of environmental services.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

26apr01...0610h

01-0068

08/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

103:1 New Subdivision; Agricultural Nutrient Management Program. Amend RSA 431 by inserting after section 35 the following new subdivision:

Agricultural Nutrient Management Program

431:36 Program Established.

I. The commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food shall establish an agricultural nutrient management program. The program shall assist agricultural land and livestock owners with efforts to minimize potential adverse effects on waters of the state resulting from agricultural nutrients including fertilizers, animal manures, and agricultural compost. The purpose of the program shall be to provide educational, technical, and financial assistance to agricultural land owners with implementing best management practices as provided in RSA 431:34-35, and such other practices deemed necessary to mitigate water pollution. The goal of the program is to assist and enable the continued viability of farming in New Hampshire and the preservation of open space in a manner that is compatible with the state's public health and environmental objectives. The commissioner shall be authorized to accept grants, gifts, and donations from any public or private sources for the purposes stated in this paragraph.

II. The commissioner shall report by October 1 of each year, beginning 2002, to the house environment and agriculture committee, the senate environment committee, the house finance committee, and the senate finance committee. The report shall include:

(a) The use and current status of the fund;

(b) The work accomplished;

(c) The number of grantees and the amount of the grant received by each; and

(d) The effectiveness of the implementation of agricultural best management practices needed to more fully protect water quality.

103:2 Appropriations.

I. The sum of $20,000 is appropriated to the department of agriculture for each year of the biennium ending June 30, 2003, for the purpose of funding the agricultural nutrient management program established under RSA 431:36. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

II The commissioner shall apply for a grant of $30,000 through the department of environmental services from the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 319 of the Clean Water Act for nonpoint source pollution programs.

103:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2001.

(Approved: June 26, 2001)

(Effective Date: July 1, 2001)