Subject 40-16-6 NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
| (1) |
A Certified
Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Specialist is an individual certified by the
Georgia Department of Agriculture to develop and modify NMPs for animal feeding
operations in accordance with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Rules for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6. |
| (2) |
A Certified Conservation Planner is an
individual identified by USDA NRCS as being trained according to criteria set
forth in section
40-16-6-.03(2)
and competent to develop NMPs. |
Application for NMP Specialist Certification shall be made to
the Georgia Department of Agriculture (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as
"Department") on a form approved by the Department.
| (1) |
An individual may apply to the Department
for certification provided one of the following training criteria has been met:
| (a) |
Complete a minimum of two days of NMP
training and testing approved by the Department and demonstrate competency by
developing an acceptable plan, or |
| (b) |
Be a current employee of the USDA,
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or currently receiving technical
supervision from a NRCS employee and be identified by such agency as being a
"Certified Conservation Planner," or |
| (c) |
Be certified as a Certified Conservation
Planner through a NRCS recognized program and curriculum by private
organization and professional groups. |
|
| (2) |
Training programs must include, but are
not limited to the following:
| (a) |
state water
quality laws and rules, |
| (b) |
manure
and waste water handling and storage, |
| (c) |
land application of manure and waste
water, |
| (e) |
best management practices,
|
| (g) |
mortality management, |
| (h) |
emergency response, and |
| (i) |
closure plans for waste storage
systems. |
|
| (1) |
A NMP Specialist shall be considered
certified when the applicant demonstrates competency in all of the above listed
areas of training. The Department shall issue a certificate to the NMP
Specialist upon the successful completion of training and
certification. |
| (2) |
A NMP Specialist
must receive a minimum of 4 hours continuing education every two years from the
date of the original certification. The NMP Specialist should assure that
education subject matter is pertinent to nutrient management planning and
should maintain documenting records. The Department may request the NMP
Specialist to provide proof of such continuing education.
| (a) |
Failure of a NMP Specialist to receive
continuing education will result in suspension of certification and may require
recertification. |
| (b) |
Each Certified
Nutrient Management Plan Specialist certification may be reviewed at least once
every three years by the Department. The Department will review NMPs prepared
by the specialist. If an individual fails to meet the criteria for the NMP
Specialist, the status will be revoked and the individual must be
recertified. |
|
| (3) |
The
Department has final authority over training, certification and continuing
education. |
| (4) |
The Department shall
provide the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection
Division with a current list of Certified Nutrient Management Plan Specialists
upon request. |
