PROPOSED RULEMAKING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[ 7 PA. CODE CH. 130f ]
Odor Management Certification Program
[37 Pa.B. 5793]
[Saturday, October 27, 2007]The Department of Agriculture (Department), under the specific authority conferred by section 508 of the act of July 6, 2005 (P. L. 112, No. 38) known as Act 38 of 2005 (act) (3 Pa.C.S. § 508 (relating to nutrient management certification program and odor management certification program)), proposes regulations implementing the odor management certification program required by act. This proposed rulemaking pertains to duties and programs administered by the Department's Bureau of Plant Industry. Section 508(a) of the act, directs the Department to '' . . . establish, in consultation with the commission, . . . an odor management certification program for the purpose of certifying individuals who have demonstrated the competency necessary to develop odor management plans. The Department or its designee shall develop such written testing procedures, educational requirements and examinations as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this section. The department shall by regulation establish such fees and terms and conditions of certification as it deems appropriate. The department shall establish individual, commercial and public certification categories, including a certification category for farmers to develop and certify nutrient management plans and odor management plans for their own agricultural operations.''
The Department proposes to establish criteria through regulations which carry out the edict of the act.
Background
The act requires the Department to promulgate regulations establishing certification categories and criteria. In addition, section 508(d) of the act requires a person to satisfy the applicable requirements of the regulations prior to certifying an odor management plan or plan amendment. These regulations are therefore necessary to assure compliance with the edict of the act and to allow concentrated animal operations, concentrated animal feeding operations and volunteers to comply with the odor management plan requirements set forth at section 509 of the act.
The major features and amendments to the proposed rulemaking are summarized as follows:
Summary of Major Features
Section 130f.1 (relating to scope).
This section sets forth the scope of the regulations. This section synopsizes the authority and duty set forth in section 508 of the act.
Section 130f.2. Definitions.
Definitions necessary to understand the provisions in the regulations are defined in this section. The definitions are based on definitions in the act, 7 Pa. Code Chapter 130b and 25 Pa. Code Chapter 83, Subchapter D (relating to nutrient management).
Section 130f.3. Fees.
This section establishes the certification and examination fees for each category of certification, as required by section 508(a) of the act. The fees are based on the anticipated costs associated with testing and administering each category of certification.
Section 130f.4. Certification authority.
The language of this section delineates the authority associated with each category of certification. It establishes what types of plans a person certified in a particular category can write or review and approve, or both.
Section 130f.11. Determination of competence.
This section sets forth the provisional training, examination and final certification requirements for commercial and public odor management specialists. In addition, it details how the Department will react to and change requirements when future advances in the field of odor management occur. Finally, it establishes the criteria which must be met in order for: (1) a fully certified public odor management specialist to attain a commercial odor management specialist certificate; (2) a fully certified commercial odor management specialist to attain a public odor management specialist certificate; and (3) a fully certified nutrient management specialist to attain a commercial or public odor management specialist certificate.
Section 130f.12. Final certification.
This section details the eligibility criteria and application process for final certification as a commercial or public odor management specialist and sets forth the time period of filing a final certification application. In addition, it establishes the time period for which final certification is valid.
Section 130f.21. Determination of competence.
This section establishes the competency requirements for individual odor management specialists. Individual odor management specialists are exempt from the plan preparation requirements that are mandatory for commercial and some public odor management specialists. However, the requirements for an individual odor management specialist certification include an orientation training course and a competency evaluation consisting of the same criteria as the provisional certification training for a commercial or public odor management specialist. The competency evaluation for an individual odor management specialist will be developed or approved by the Department and administered by the Department or its designee. The evaluation will require knowledge of the same areas covered on the required examination for commercial and public odor management specialists.
Section 130f.22. Final certification.
These provisions delineate the application procedures and time period for filing an application for final certification as an individual odor management specialist with the Department, as well as, the time period for which a certificate is valid.
Section 130f.31. Recertification.
This section sets forth the recertification process for commercial and public odor management specialists and for individual odor management specialists. At 3 year intervals, odor management specialists shall certify to the Department, through written documentation, that they have received the required number of continuing education training credits in the appropriate areas of training. Commercial and public odor management specialists must receive six continuing education training credits and individual odor management specialists must receive three continuing education training credits to maintain their certification. Credits accrue at the rate of one credit per hour of course work. In addition, this section sets forth the application process and standards for approval of entities that want to sponsor recertification training courses. Finally, this section addresses the procedure for certification if an odor management specialist allows his certification to lapse.
Section 130f.41. Denial, suspension and revocation of certificates.
The provisions in this section set forth the reasons, as delineated in the act, that the Department may deny, suspend or revoke an odor management specialist's certification. In addition, it provides the process (written notice, which must include the reasons for the Department's action) that must be utilized by the Department when denying, suspending or revoking odor management certification and provides for appeal rights.
Fiscal Impact
Commonwealth
The proposed regulations will not impose any appreciable additional fiscal impacts upon the Commonwealth. The proposed regulations will require the Department to administer another certification training and recertification program and monitor and take appropriate State action when members of the regulated community are not complying with the statutory and regulatory mandates. The cost of administering the mandates of the act and these proposed regulations will be covered by general government operating funds annually appropriated to the Department and augmented with the certification and testing fees set forth in the proposed regulations.
Political Subdivisions
The proposed regulations will impose additional work and costs and have a fiscal impact upon county conservation districts that agree to certify public odor management specialists to draft or review, or both, odor management plans. The proposed regulations will impose no additional burden of enforcement on political subdivisions.
Private Sector
The proposed regulations will impose additional costs on persons wishing to write or review and approve, or both, odor management plans, as required by the act. Those additional costs are in the form of the fees for certification, which are established in the proposed regulations.
General Public
The proposed regulations will impose no direct costs and have no fiscal impact on the general public. Farmers required to have or seeking a voluntary odor management plan, will be affected by the mandates of the act, which requires the plans and the fees charged for attaining the required certification to write or review, or both, those odor certification plans will most likely be a small part of the fee charged to the farmer for the development of odor management plans.
Paperwork Requirements
The proposed regulations will not result in a substantial increase in paperwork. The Department will have to develop new application forms, but they will be based on current certification program forms. Review and administrative procedures will also be very similar to existing certification programs overseen by the Department.
Public Comment Period
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed regulations within 30 days following publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Regulatory Review
Under section 5(a) of the Regulatory Review Act (act) (71 P. S. §§ 745.5(a)), the Department submitted a copy of this proposed rulemaking on October 15, 2007, to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and to the Chairpersons of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (Committees). In addition to submitting the proposed regulations, the Department has provided IRRC and the Committees with a copy of a detailed Regulatory Analysis Form. A copy of this material is available to the public upon request.
If IRRC has any objections to any portion of the proposed regulations, it will notify the Department within 30 days after the close of the public comment period. The notification shall specify the regulatory review criteria which have not been met by that portion. The act specifies detailed procedures for review, prior to final publication of the proposed regulations, by the Department, the General Assembly and the Governor of objections raised.
Contact Person
Further information is available by contacting the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408; Attn: Johan E. Berger (717) 772-4189.
Effective Date
This proposed regulation is effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
DENNIS C WOLFF,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 2-155. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 2007-08 is $14,250; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 2008-09 is $21,200; 2nd Succeeding Year 2009-10 is $22,260; 3rd Succeeding Year 2010-11 is $23,400; 4th Succeeding Year 2011-12 is $24,600; 5th Succeeding Year 2012-13 is $25,800; (3) 2005-06 Program--$0; 2004-05 Program--$0; 2003-04 Program--$0; (7) General Government Operations; (8) recommends adoption. These costs will be augmented with the certification and testing fees set forth in the regulations.
Annex A
TITLE 7. AGRICULTURE
PART V. BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY
CHAPTER 130f. ODOR MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION
Subch. A. GENERAL PROVISIONS B. CERTIFICATION C. RECERTIFICATION D. DENIAL, SUSPENSION, REVOCATION
Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
130f.1. Scope. 130f.2. Definitions. 130f.3. Fees. 130f.4. Certification authority. § 130f.1. Scope.
This chapter prescribes the procedures and qualifications related to certification of odor management specialists. This chapter includes the establishment of fees, delineates the requirements for certification of odor management specialists, including recertification criteria and sets forth the conditions of denial, suspension and revocation of odor management certification.
§ 130f.2. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Act--Act 38 of 2005 (3 Pa.C.S. Chapters 3 and 5 (relating to local regulation; and nutrient management and odor management)).
BMP--Best management practice.
Certificate year--The period from January 1 to December 31.
Certification--The completion of the requirements of an odor management specialist contained in this chapter.
Commission--The State Conservation Commission established by the Conservation District Law (3 P. S. §§ 849--864).
Competency--Demonstrating a high level of technical or scientific knowledge as evidenced by successfully meeting the requirements of § 130f.11 (relating to determination of competence) for commercial and public odor management specialists, or meeting the requirements of § 130f.21 (relating to determination of competence) for individual odor management specialists.
Conservation district--A county conservation district established under the Conservation District Law.
Department--The Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.
Designee--A person chosen or appointed by the Secretary of the Department to carry out the Secretary's duties under this chapter.
Impacts--
(i) Conflicts arising from the offsite migration of odors from agricultural facilities.
(ii) The term does not include mental or physical health affects, or changes in property value.
Nutrient management specialist--A person satisfying the certification requirements of section 508 of the act (relating to nutrient management certification program and odor management certification program).
OMP--Odor management plan--A written site-specific plan identifying the practices, technologies, standards and strategies to be implemented to manage the impact of odors generated from animal housing or manure management facilities located or to be located on the site.
Odor BMP--Odor best management practice--A practice or combination of practices, technologies, standards and strategies to manage the potential for impacts from offsite migration of odors generated from animal housing facilities and manure management facilities that are subject to regulation under the act.
Odor management regulations--The regulations which will be codified in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 83, Subchapter G (relating to facility odor management). (Editor's Note: See 37 Pa.B. 4780 (September 1, 2007).)
Odor management specialist--A person satisfying the certification requirements of this chapter.
Individual odor management specialist--A person certified under this chapter to develop odor management plans for his agricultural operation.
Commercial odor management specialist--A private sector person certified under this chapter to develop odor management plans for another person's agricultural operation.
Public odor management specialist--A State, Federal or other public employee certified under this chapter to review odor management plans and make recommendations for approval or denial of odor management plans to a conservation district or the State Conservation Commission, or both.
Odor Site Index--The field evaluation methodology developed specifically for this Commonwealth and approved by the Commission, which applies site-specific factors such as proximity to adjoining landowners, land use of the surrounding area, type of structures proposed, species of animals, local topography and direction of the prevailing winds, to determine the potential for impacts from the offsite migration of odors from agricultural operations.
Provisional certification--The level of certification obtained by an odor management specialist applicant who has successfully completed the required training and passed the written examination, but has not yet developed or reviewed the required number of odor management plans.
Recertification training--The completion of continuing education and training requirements in § 130f.31 (relating to recertification).
§ 130f.3. Fees.
(a) Certification fees. Certification fees are nonrefundable. The Department has established the following certification fees for each level of odor management specialist:
(1) Individual odor management specialist--$15.
(2) Commercial odor management specialist--$200.
(3) Public odor management specialist--$25.
(b) Examination fees. Examination fees are nonrefundable. The Department has established the following examination fees for each level of odor management specialist:
(1) Individual odor management specialist--No charge.
(2) Commercial odor management specialist--$30.
(3) Public odor management specialist--$30.
§ 130f.4. Certification authority.
(a) Individual certification authority. A person certified under this chapter as an individual odor management specialist is authorized to develop odor management plans for his own agricultural operation. An individual odor management specialist has no authority to develop an odor management plan for another person or review and recommend action on an odor management plan.
(b) Commercial certification authority. A person certified under this chapter as a commercial odor management specialist is authorized to develop odor management plans for another person's agricultural operation. A commercial odor management specialist has no authority to review or recommend action on an odor management plan.
(c) Public certification authority. A person certified under this chapter as a public odor management review specialist is authorized to review odor management plans and make recommendations for approval or denial of odor management plans.
Subchapter B. CERTIFICATION COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ODOR MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS
Sec.
130f.11. Determination of competence. 130f.12. Final certification. INDIVIDUAL ODOR MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS
130f.21. Determination of competence. 130f.22. Final certification.
COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ODOR MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS § 130f.11. Determination of competence.
(a) Commercial odor management specialist. Determination of competence for a commercial odor management specialist shall be based on the successful completion of provisional certification training and examinations as set forth in this section and the successful completion of the final certification requirements established by this chapter.
(1) Provisional certification requirements for a commercial odor management specialist include an orientation training course, an odor management plan writing course and a written examination approved by the Department.
(2) Final certification of a commercial odor management specialist requires the development of two approved odor management plans as set forth in subsection (h)(1). Odor management plans developed under this subsection will be determined to be adequate by the Department or its designee.
(b) Public odor management specialist. Determination of competence for a public odor management specialist will be based on the successful completion of provisional certification training and examinations as set forth in this section and the successful completion of the final certification requirements established by this chapter.
(1) Provisional certification requirements for a public odor management specialist include an orientation training course, an odor management plan review course, an odor management plan writing course and a written examination approved by the Department. Odor management plan reviews completed and odor management plans developed under this subsection will be determined to be adequate by the Department or its designee.
(2) Final certification of a public odor management specialist requires the approved review of one odor management plan and the development of one approved odor management plan as set forth in subsection (h)(2).
(c) Future advancements. As advancements in science and technology make new odor management techniques and BMPs available and after these techniques and BMPs are approved by the State Conservation Commission, the certification requirements may include other course work related to those techniques and best management requirements, as well as, any new requirements set forth in the odor management regulations, as part of the certification course and training requirements. The new techniques and BMPs will not become part of the certification requirements until after training manuals and course work have been modified to include the information necessary to impart knowledge of these new techniques and BMPs.
(d) Provisional certification training. The provisional certification training courses must, at a minimum, consist of the following areas of odor management planning:
(1) Understanding the Odor Site Index.
(i) Completion and application of the Odor Site Index.
(ii) Mapping principles and requirements.
(2) Understanding odor generation and transmission principles.
(3) Understanding environmental and economic impacts associated with odor management.
(4) Understanding and awareness of land use issues related to odor impact and management.
(5) Understanding OMP components and content.
(6) Understanding the technology, application and implementation of Odor BMPs.
(7) Understanding regulatory requirements of agricultural operations.
(i) Types of agricultural operations or activities/technologies that may require OMPs.
(ii) How to submit an OMP.
(iii) Other applicable laws and regulations related to or conjoined with odor management.
(8) Recordkeeping requirements.
(9) Proper odor management plan review procedures (public odor management specialists only).
(10) Proper odor management plan writing procedures (commercial and public odor management specialists only).
(11) Other areas and course work related to requirements set forth in the odor management regulations, as determined appropriate by the Department.
(e) Examination. The written examination will be proctored by the Department or its designee. The Department will administer the examination at least twice per year, or more often as deemed necessary by the Department. At a minimum, the successful completion of the examination will demonstrate an examinee's technical knowledge relating to odor management planning and odor management plan development in the following areas:
(1) Application of the Odor Site Index.
(2) Odor generation and transmission principles.
(3) Environmental and economic impacts associated with odor management.
(4) Land use issues related to odor impacts and management.
(5) OMP components and content.
(6) Technology, application and implementation of Odor BMPs.
(7) Odor management regulatory requirements of agricultural operations.
(8) Recordkeeping requirements.
(9) Other applicable laws and regulations related to or conjoined with odor management.
(10) Other areas related to new technology and BMPs that become available and are approved by the State Conservation Commission, as well as, new requirements in the odor management regulations. These other areas will not become part of the final certification requirements until training manuals and course work have been modified to include information necessary to impart knowledge of these new techniques and BMPs.
(f) Other examinations. The Department may approve the use of written examinations other than the Pennsylvania odor management examination, if the written examinations meet the requirements in subsection (e).
(g) Provisional certification. Upon the successful completion of the requirements in subsections (d) and (e), the applicant for certification as a commercial or public odor management specialist will be issued the appropriate provisional certification. The holder of a provisional certification is qualified, dependent on the type of provisional certification attained, to develop or review, or both, odor management plans for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of this section regarding final certification. Provisional certification is valid for 2 years ending on the last day of the month from the date of issuance.
(h) Final certification requirements. Once provisional certification has been granted, the provisionally certified specialist shall complete one of the following dependent on the type of provisional certification granted and final certification sought:
(1) Commercial odor management specialist. To attain final certification, a provisionally certified commercial odor management specialist shall develop two odor management plans which meet the requirements of section 509 of the act (relating to odor management plans). One of the required odor management plans may be developed based on a scenario developed or approved by the Department. Odor management plans developed by the applicant shall be submitted to the Department or its designee for approval.
(2) Public odor management specialist. To attain final certification, a provisionally certified public odor management specialist shall successfully review one odor management plan and develop one odor management plan which meets the requirements of section 509 of the act. The developed odor management plan may be based on a scenario developed or approved by the Department. Odor management plan reviews completed and odor management plans developed by the applicant shall be submitted to the Department or its designee for approval.
(i) Public odor management specialist to commercial odor management specialist. A certified public odor management specialist may obtain certification as a commercial odor management specialist. To attain this certification, a certified public odor management review specialist shall develop one additional odor management plan in accordance with section 509 of the act. The certified public odor management specialist seeking this certification shall submit the odor management plan to the Department or its designee for review and approval.
(j) Commercial odor management specialist to public odor management specialist. A certified commercial odor management specialist who wishes to obtain certification as a public odor management specialist shall complete an odor management plan review course covering proper odor management plan review procedures and shall successfully review one odor management plan in accordance with section 509 of the act. The applicant seeking to attain this certification shall submit the odor management plan review to the Department or its designee for review and approval.
(k) Nutrient management specialist to odor management specialist. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management specialist under the Department's nutrient management certification regulations (See Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification)) may obtain certification as a commercial or public odor management specialist upon meeting the requirements of this chapter for the level of certification sought.
§ 130f.12. Final certification.
(a) Application for final certification. Upon completion of all the provisional certification requirements of this chapter, a provisionally certified commercial odor management specialist or public odor management specialist may submit an application to the Department for final certification. The appropriate certification fee, as set forth in § 130f.3(a) (relating to fees) must accompany the application for final certification.
(b) Eligibility for final certification. A person is eligible to apply for final certification as a commercial or public odor management specialist upon fulfilling the applicable requirements established under § 130f.11 (relating to determination of competence). An application for final certification may be obtained from the Department.
(c) Time period for filing application. An application for final certification shall be filed with the Department within 120-calendar days of notification by the Department of meeting the appropriate requirements in § 130f.11. If the applicant fails to file an application with the Department within the prescribed 120-calendar days, that person shall again satisfy the appropriate competency requirements as provided in § 130f.11.
(d) Time period final certification is valid. Final certification is valid for 3 years ending on December 31 of the third year following the date of final certification. However, the Department will authorize an additional year when the certification is issued during the last 2 months of the initial certificate year.
INDIVIDUAL ODOR MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS § 130f.21. Determination of competence.
(a) Determination of competence for an individual odor management specialist shall be based on the completion of required training which includes an orientation training course and a competency evaluation developed or approved by the Department.
(b) The orientation training course shall at a minimum consist of the same requirements as in § 130f.11 (relating to determination of competence).
(c) The competency evaluation will be administered by the Department or its designee. The Department or its designee will administer the competency evaluation in association with the orientation training course on an as needed basis, which will be determined by the number of requests for the training. At a minimum, the successful completion of the competency evaluation will demonstrate an examinee's technical knowledge relating to odor management planning and odor management plan development in the following areas:
(1) Application of the Odor Site Index.
(2) Odor generation and transmission principles.
(3) Environmental and economic impacts associated with odor management.
(4) Land use issues related to odor impacts and management.
(5) Odor management plan components and content.
(6) Technology, application and implementation of Odor BMPs.
(7) Odor management regulatory requirements of agricultural operations.
(8) Recordkeeping requirements.
(9) Other applicable laws and regulations.
(d) The Department may approve the use of written examinations other than the Pennsylvania odor management examination, if the written examination meets the requirements in subsection (c).
(e) Individual odor management specialists are exempt from the odor management plan preparation requirements.
§ 130f.22. Final certification.
(a) A person is eligible to apply for final certification as an individual odor management specialist upon fulfilling the requirements under § 130f.21 (relating to determination of competence). An application for certification may be obtained from the Department. The appropriate fee must accompany the specialist's application for certification.
(b) An application for certification shall be filed with the Department no later than 120-calendar days after the applicant's completion of the competency requirements. If the applicant fails to file an application with the Department within the prescribed 120-calendar days, that person shall again satisfy the competency requirements as provided in § 130f.21.
(c) A certificate is valid for 3 years ending on December 31 of the third year following the date of certification. However, the Department will authorize an additional year when the certification is issued during the last 2 months of the initial certificate year.
Subchapter C. RECERTIFICATION Sec.
130f.31. Recertification. § 130f.31. Recertification.
(a) At intervals of 3 years, final certified commercial, public or individual odor management specialists shall provide written documentation of having received continuing education and training in Department-approved training courses in odor management planning and odor management plan development. Training must address the specific areas in § 130f.11 (relating to determination of competence) for commercial and public odor management specialists and § 130f.21 (relating to determination of competence) for individual odor management specialists.
(b) Recertification credits approved by the Department will be given on the basis of attendance at approved training sessions, as provided in subsection (a). The Department will evaluate the training and assign the appropriate credits. Commercial and public odor management specialists are required to obtain six credits during the recertification interval. Individual odor management specialists are required to obtain three credits during the recertification interval. The Department may, if deemed necessary, require specific training for certified odor management specialists, in addition to the required training in §§ 130f.11 and 130f.21. The Department will provide written notification to the certified odor management specialists of specifically required training.
(c) Training will be approved for recertification credits at the rate of one credit per hour of applicable instruction, exclusive of coffee breaks, lunches, visits to exhibits, and the like. Credits will be assigned to each training session based upon the subjects covered and the amount of time expended on each subject. Credits assigned may be modified if either the content or length of the training substantially differs from the originally approved course.
(d) Sponsors of recertification training shall first submit a written request for course approval to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9408. A request shall be submitted to the Department at least 15 working days prior to the training date and include the following information:
(1) The name and phone number of the contact person who is coordinating the training.
(2) The specific location of the training.
(3) The date of the training.
(4) A list of the speakers, subject matter and time allotted to each subject.
(5) A statement whether the training is open to the public and if there is a charge to attend.
(e) A recertification training course will be approved if at a minimum it consists of the same requirements as set forth in § 130f.11(d) and (e) and is conducted or sponsored by an educational institution, an association, a business, a governmental agency or other qualified source. Preapproval of recertification courses is vested solely with the Department.
(f) Falsification by a course sponsor of information required under this section may result in the withdrawal of credits or course approval, or both.
(g) If the Department or its designee is unable to monitor the training, the sponsor shall be responsible for verifying attendance and shall compile a list of Pennsylvania-certified specialists in attendance. The list shall be returned to the Department within 10 working days following the training date and include the name of each person attending and their certification number.
(h) If an odor management specialist allows final certification to expire and does not obtain recertification in accordance with this chapter, the final certification will be suspended and the specialist shall refrain from all duties relating to his certification until all delinquent recertification credits are acquired as described in subsection (b).
(i) If an odor management specialist whose final certification has been suspended as set forth in subsection (h) fails to complete delinquent recertification credits within 1 year from the expiration date of the final certification, the final certification will be revoked and that person shall again satisfy the requirements of § 430f.11 and § 130f.12 (relating to final certification) for commercial and public specialists, or § 130f.21 and § 130(f).22 (relating to final certification) for individual specialists, whichever is applicable.
Subchapter D. DENIAL, SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATES Sec.
130f.41. Denial, suspension and revocation of certificates. § 130f.41. Denial, suspension and revocation of certificates.
(a) The Department may, after notice, including a statement of the reason therefore, deny, suspend or revoke a commercial, public or individual odor management specialist certification for any of the following:
(1) A violation of the act or this chapter.
(2) Failure to obtain the required recertification credits.
(3) Inconsistency or demonstration of a lack of knowledge of odor management plan writing and review skills.
(4) Three or more occurrences within a 3-year period of delay or noncommunication with a landowner or review agency during plan development or review.
(5) Falsifying information.
(6) Misrepresentation associated with the act or its attendant regulations.
(7) A violation of program policy established by the Department, its designee or the Commission.
(b) An applicant or odor management specialist may request a hearing, in writing, within 15 days of receipt of a notice of denial, suspension or revocation from the Department. The request shall be sent to the Bureau of Plant Industry, Agriculture Building, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-1984. Filed for public inspection October 26, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]
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