The bill amends Vermont's agricultural water quality regulations to improve the management of agricultural nonpoint source pollutants by enhancing coordination between the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Secretary of Natural Resources. Key changes include the elimination of the requirement for a memorandum of understanding and the introduction of a new document that clarifies the roles of both agencies in implementing the federal Clean Water Act and the state's nonpoint source program. The bill also establishes new requirements for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), mandating compliance with federal regulations regarding buffer zones and setbacks, while exempting farms with active CAFO permits from annual operating fees. Additionally, it requires significant groundwater users to report their water use annually.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and regulations for CAFOs, including classifications based on the number of animals, and outlines the conditions under which manure application is prohibited. It empowers the Secretary of Natural Resources to implement a Vermont Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) CAFO program and mandates the establishment of a stakeholder group to engage with the agricultural community on the program's implementation. The bill also sets specific permit requirements for CAFOs, including the necessity for nutrient management plans, and clarifies that compliance with agricultural practices does not exempt CAFOs from regulation. A report summarizing stakeholder input and assessing the regulatory structure for agricultural water quality is required by February 2026, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 6-4810(d), 6-4810, 6-4810a(a)(6), 6-4810a, 6-4810a(a), 6-4851, 6-4858, 6-4816, 6-4871(b), 6-4871, 10-1251, 10-1259, 10-1263, 10-1264(d), 10-1264
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 6-4810(d), 6-4810, 6-4810a(a)(6), 6-4810a, 6-4810a(a), 6-4851, 6-4858, 6-4816, 6-4871(b), 6-4871, 10-1251, 10-1259, 10-1263, 10-1264(d), 10-1264
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 6-4810(d), 6-4810, 6-4810a(a)(6), 6-4810a, 6-4810a(a), 6-4851, 6-4858, 6-4816, 6-4871(b), 6-4871, 10-1251, 10-1259, 10-1263, 10-1264(d), 10-1264
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 6-4810(d), 6-4810, 6-4810a(a)(6), 6-4810a, 6-4810a(a), 6-4851, 6-4858, 6-4816, 6-4871(b), 6-4871, 10-1251, 10-1259, 10-1263, 10-1264(d), 10-1264
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 6-4810(d), 6-4810, 6-4810a(a)(6), 6-4810a, 6-4810a(a), 6-4851, 6-4858, 6-4816, 6-4871(b), 6-4871, 10-1251, 10-1259, 10-1263, 10-1264(d), 10-1264
As Enacted: 6-4810(d), 6-4810, 6-4810a(a)(6), 6-4810a, 6-4810a(a), 6-4851, 6-4858, 6-4816, 6-4871(b), 6-4871, 10-1251, 10-1259, 10-1263, 10-1264(d), 10-1264