The bill amends Vermont's agricultural water quality regulations to improve the management of agricultural nonpoint source pollutants, particularly concerning Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). It eliminates the requirement for a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Secretary of Natural Resources, replacing it with a new document that delineates the responsibilities of both agencies in implementing the federal Clean Water Act. The bill emphasizes collaboration in program administration, grant negotiations, and watershed planning, while establishing annual performance measures for both agencies. It also introduces specific provisions for vegetative buffer zones and modifies the permitting process for large and medium farms, ensuring compliance with federal regulations rather than state standards.

Additionally, the bill enhances the regulation of CAFOs by introducing new definitions and granting the Secretary of Natural Resources authority to implement a Vermont pollutant discharge elimination system (VPDES) CAFO program. It requires CAFO operators to submit permit applications and pay associated fees, with deadlines for issuing permits set for December 2025 and July 2026. The bill clarifies exemptions from permitting for certain agricultural practices and establishes a stakeholder group for public engagement. It also mandates the development of nutrient management plans for all CAFOs and specifies that individual permits for small or medium farms will be valid for no more than five years, ensuring ongoing compliance with water quality standards. The act is 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