§ 4829. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

(a) The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is created in the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide the farms of Vermont with State or federal financial assistance for the implementation of alternative nutrient reduction practices that improve soil quality, improve nutrient retention, and reduce agricultural waste discharges. The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets may approve one or more of the following practices for participation in the Program:

(1) riparian forest buffers;

(2) grassed waterways;

(3) grassed filter strips; or

(4) other practices approved by the Secretary and administered through a memorandum of understanding with the Commodity Credit Corporation.

(b) Grant agreements entered into under this section shall at a minimum have a term of 15 years in duration and can include permanent easements.

(c)(1) The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall use capital funding available to the Agency and eligible for use for water quality programs or projects to provide financial assistance to Vermont farmers to complete practices approved by the Agency for participation in the Program under subdivisions (a)(1)-(3) of this section.

(2) The Agency shall use noncapital funds eligible for use for water quality programs or projects to provide financial assistance to Vermont farmers to complete practices approved by the Agency for participation in the Program under subdivision (a)(4) of this section. (Added 2019, No. 64, § 13.)