Subchapter B. CERTIFICATION
COMMERCIAL MANURE BROKERS Sec.
130e.11. Determination of competence.
130e.12. Certification requirements.
COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULERS—LEVEL 1
130e.21. Determination of competence.
130e.22. Certification requirements.
COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULERS—LEVEL 2
130e.31. Determination of competence.
130e.32. Certification requirements.
COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULERS—LEVEL 3
130e.41. Determination of competence.
130e.42. Certification requirements.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
130e.51. Commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements.
130e.52. Continuing education credit course providers.
DENIAL, SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF COMMERCIAL
MANURE BROKER OR HAULER CERTIFICATES
130e.61. Denial, suspension and revocation of certificates.
COMMERCIAL MANURE BROKERS
Cross References This subchapter cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.2 (relating to definitions).
§ 130e.11. Determination of competence.
(a) Commercial manure broker certification. Determination of competence for Level 1 and Level 2 commercial manure brokers shall be based on the successful completion of the certification course and a proctored written examination as set forth in this section. Certification requirements for a commercial manure broker include a Department developed or approved certification course and proctored written examination, both of which shall be administered in a classroom setting. The certification course shall be completed prior to the applicant taking the written examination or the nutrient balance sheet writing course. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification), meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker.
(b) Additional requirements for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification. In addition to completing the requirements for and attaining a Level 1 commercial manure broker certification, an applicant for Level 2 commercial manure broker certification shall be required to attend appropriate nutrient management plan writing certification courses related to nutrient balance sheet development and then pass a proctored nutrient balance sheet examination administered or approved by the Department. The nutrient management plan writing courses have been developed under the Nutrient Management Certification Program in Chapter 130b. The nutrient balance sheet examination will be developed or approved by the Department and shall be administered as a proctored classroom examination. The applicant for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification shall first complete the required nutrient management plan writing courses, before being eligible to take the Nutrient Balance Sheet Examination. The Nutrient Balance Sheet Examination must require the applicant for the Level 2 commercial manure broker certification to develop a nutrient balance sheet based on an importing farm scenario developed or approved by the Department. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b, meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker and may be certified as a Level 2 commercial manure broker upon taking the necessary nutrient management plan writing courses, related to nutrient balance sheet development, and passing the appropriate testing criteria.
(c) Certification course. The certification course must, at a minimum, address the applicant’s understanding, competence and proficiency with regard to the following topics:
(1) Laws and regulations pertaining to manure application, including pertinent provisions of Act 38 of 2005 and Act 38 of 2005 regulations. The Clean Streams Law and applicable regulations in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 (relating to erosion and sedimentation control), the Manure Management Manual and the protection of agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances under the act of June 10, 1982 (P. L. 454, No. 133) (3 P. S. § § 951—957).
(2) Basic nutrient management and manure management protocols and requirements and soil fertility and management.
(3) Courses presenting information necessary for understanding and properly reading and applying the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet. The courses must cover manure handling and testing, land application information, manure application setback requirements and maps contained in nutrient balance sheets and nutrient management plans. The courses must include examples and hands on experience in reading, interpreting and properly applying the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet.
(4) BMPs with respect to manure hauling and land application of manure, such as the minimum legal setback requirements from water sources, including wells, groundwater, surface waters, wetlands, public water supplies, perennial and intermittent streams and property lines, controlling nutrient runoff, installing riparian buffers, updating and following erosion and sedimentation control plans, seasonal manure application concerns and incorporation and no-till farming techniques.
(5) Recordkeeping requirements necessary to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements of the act and Act 38 of 2005.
(6) Courses teaching development and filing of a nutrient balance sheet and appropriate manure production application and testing information, manure application setback requirements and maps contained in a nutrient management plan. These courses must cover the filing requirements set forth in the act and require the applicant to display competence in reading and properly interpreting the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet and actual development of a nutrient balance sheet.
(7) Community relations and public image awareness, to encourage dialogue and promote cooperation.
(8) Basic awareness of safety issues related to manure management, manure handling and biosecurity, as well as, transport safety procedures and highway and equipment safety.
(9) Understanding emergency action plans.
(10) Proper calibration techniques and requirements for all types of equipment normally utilized to land apply manure, to assure proper application rates.
(11) Understanding of land application issues, such as incorporation, compaction and winter application.
(12) Understanding the proper placement of stacking areas and temporary storage of manure.
(d) Certification course and written examination. The Department or an approved educational institution or entity, as provided for in the act, may develop and administer the training courses and proctor the written examinations. The certification courses and examinations will be offered at least twice per calendar year, or more often as deemed necessary by the Department. The certification courses and examinations will be offered at various locations across this Commonwealth in a manner that will insure Statewide coverage and access. At a minimum, the successful completion of the examination will demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of transport and land application of manure on agricultural operations and the applicant’s technical knowledge and proficiency relating to interpretation and implementation of nutrient management plans and nutrient balance sheets, as well as, the applicant’s knowledge of recordkeeping requirements. The written examination must, at a minimum, address all topics and areas required to be addressed by the certification course, as set forth in subsection (c).
(e) Other examinations. The Department may approve the use of written examinations other than the Pennsylvania Commercial Manure Broker and Hauler Examination, if the written examinations meet the requirements in subsection (d).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.12 (relating to certification requirements); 7 Pa. Code § 130e.42 (relating to certification requirements); 7 Pa. Code § 130e.51 (relating to commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements); and 7 Pa. Code § 130e.52 (relating to continuing education credit course providers).
§ 130e.12. Certification requirements.
(a) General. The act and this chapter establish four general criteria for commercial manure brokers.
(1) A person acting as a commercial manure broker shall obtain certification as a commercial manure broker prior to assuming temporary control or ownership of manure from an agricultural operation or arranging for transportation to or utilization of manure at, or both, an importing operation or other location.
(2) A person acting as a commercial manure broker shall maintain certification under the requirements of the certification program.
(3) When acting as a contract agent for an agricultural operator required by section 5 of the act (3 P. S. § 2010.5) to use a certified commercial manure hauler or certified commercial manure broker, the commercial manure broker shall land apply the manure in accordance with and based upon an approved nutrient management plan or a nutrient balance sheet developed by a certified nutrient management specialist or a Level 2 certified commercial manure broker.
(4) Commercial manure brokers shall maintain the records of the manure they broker, transport or land-apply as required by this chapter and the recordkeeping requirements of the nutrient management regulations in 25 Pa. Code § § 83.341—83.344 (relating to recordkeeping and informational requirements).
(b) Application for Level 1 commercial manure broker certification.
(1) Submission of application. Submission of the required examination for certification as a Level 1 commercial manure broker shall act as the application for a Level 1 commercial manure broker certificate. After receiving and scoring the examination, the Department will send written notice to the applicant. The written notice will inform the applicant whether the applicant passed or failed the examination. If the applicant has passed the examination, the written notice will include a temporary certificate. The temporary certificate will be valid for 30 days from the date of receipt. The holder of the temporary certification shall forward the appropriate certification fees to the Department within the 30-day time period. Upon receipt of the appropriate certification fees, the Department will mail the final certification to the holder of the temporary certificate.
(2) Certified nutrient management plan writer. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification), meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker and may be certified as a Level 2 commercial manure broker as set forth in § 130e.11(b) (relating to determination of competence). Upon receiving a letter requesting certification, along with the certification fee, the Department will verify the applicant’s nutrient management plan writer certification and good standing. Upon verification of this criteria, the Department will issue the appropriate final certification.
(c) Application for Level 2 commercial manure broker certification.
(1) Submission of application. An applicant for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification shall complete the appropriate nutrient management plan writing certification courses, related to nutrient balance sheet development, and then pass a proctored nutrient balance sheet examination administered or approved by the Department, as set forth in § 130e.11(b). Submission of the required examination for certification as a Level 2 commercial manure broker shall act as the application for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certificate. After receiving and scoring the examination, the Department will send written notice to the applicant. The written notice will inform the applicant whether he passed or failed the examination. If the applicant has passed the examination, the written notice will include a temporary certificate. The temporary certificate will be valid for 30 days from the date of receipt. The holder of the temporary certification shall forward the appropriate certification fees to the Department within the 30-day time period. Upon receipt of the appropriate fees, the Department will mail the final certification to the holder of the temporary certificate.
(2) Certified nutrient management plan writer. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b, meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker and may be certified as a Level 2 commercial manure broker, upon taking the necessary nutrient management plan writing courses related to nutrient balance sheet development, and passing the appropriate testing criteria. After receiving a letter requesting certification, along with the certification fee, the Department will verify the applicant’s nutrient management plan writer certification and good standing and that the appropriate courses and tests have been taken and passed. Upon verification of this criteria, the Department will issue the appropriate final certification.
(d) Denial of certification.
(1) If an applicant for a Level 1 or Level 2 commercial manure broker certification is denied, the Department will notify the applicant, in writing and specifically set forth the reasons for the denial.
(i) When a Level 1 commercial manure broker applicant is denied, the applicant shall be allowed to take the next available Level 1 commercial manure broker written examination and submit an application, in the manner required by subsection (b), to the Department without having to repeat the certification course required by § 130e.11(a). If the applicant fails to pass the written examination for a second time, the applicant shall be required to again meet all of the requirements established under § 130e.11(a) and take the next available written examination, prior to resubmission of an application for certification as a Level 1 commercial manure broker.
(ii) When an applicant seeks a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification and fails the nutrient balance sheet examination, the applicant shall be allowed to take the next available nutrient balance sheet examination. If the applicant fails to pass the nutrient balance sheet examination for a second time, the Department will again notify the applicant, in writing of the denial and the reason for the denial. To again be considered for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification, the applicant shall be required to satisfy the requirements in § 130e.11(b).
(e) Level 1 commercial manure broker to Level 2 commercial manure broker.
(1) A Level 1 certified commercial manure broker may attain a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification by meeting the requirements established under § 130e.11(b). To be eligible to apply, the applicant shall be currently certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker or a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist and in good standing.
(2) The Department will notify an applicant in writing of approval or denial of an application as set forth in subsection (d).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.42 (relating to certification requirements); and 7 Pa. Code § 130e.52 (relating to continuing education credit course providers).
COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULERS—LEVEL 1
§ 130e.21. Determination of competence.
(a) Level 1 commercial manure hauler. Determination of competence for a Level 1 commercial manure hauler shall be based on completion of a certification program developed or approved by the Department as set forth in section 3(a) and (b) of the act (3 P. S. § 2010.3(a) and (b)). The certification program must consist of a work sheet developed or approved by the Department. The work sheet shall be filled out and signed in the presence of a certified Level 3 commercial manure hauler or certified Level 1 or 2 commercial manure broker. The certified Level 3 commercial manure hauler or certified Level 1 or 2 commercial manure broker shall sign the work sheet along with the Level 1 commercial manure hauler. The work sheet must contain a verification statement whereby the certified Level 3 commercial manure hauler or certified Level 1 or 2 commercial manure broker attests that the person being certified has reviewed and understands the information in the work sheet, will be operating under the direction and supervision of the certified Level 3 commercial manure hauler or certified Level 1 or 2 commercial manure broker and that the certified Level 3 commercial manure hauler or certified Level 1 or 2 commercial manure broker accepts full responsibility for all actions of the person being certified as a Level 1 commercial manure hauler, with respect to the transport and stacking of manure. A Level 1 certified commercial manure hauler shall also be given a training manual developed or approved by the Department. The training manual shall be kept in any vehicle utilized by a Level 1 commercial manure hauler. The work sheet and training manual will be available at the following locations: a county conservation district office, a location of the educational institution or entity that developed an approved course, the Department or a regional office location of the Department. In addition, the Department will make the work sheets and training manuals available to commercial manure hauling and brokering businesses upon request.
(b) Certification course. A Level 1 commercial manure hauler nonclassroom certification program and the work sheet must, at a minimum, address and determine the applicant’s level of understanding, competence and proficiency with regard to the following topics:
(1) Recordkeeping requirements necessary to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements of the act and Act 38 of 2005.
(2) The following matters pertaining to manure transport and stacking:
(i) Community relations and public image awareness, to encourage dialogue and promote cooperation.
(ii) Basic awareness and understanding of safety issues related to, manure handling and biosecurity, as well as, transport safety procedures and highway and equipment safety.
(iii) Understanding emergency action plans.
(iv) Understanding the proper placement of stacking areas and temporary storage of manure, such as set back requirements, placement and covering requirements and short and long-term stacking requirements.
(v) Certification requirements of the act.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.52 (relating to continuing education credit course providers).
§ 130e.22. Certification requirements.
(a) General criteria for Level 1 commercial manure haulers.
(1) A person acting as a commercial manure hauler shall obtain certification as a Level 1 commercial manure hauler prior to transporting manure.
(2) A person certified as a Level 1 commercial manure hauler shall be qualified to transport manure only.
(3) The transportation of manure shall be done as a contract agent for an agricultural operator or a certified commercial manure broker. A Level 1 certified commercial manure hauler, may transport manure as an employee or agent of a certified commercial manure broker or a Level 3 certified commercial manure hauler. A Level 1 certified commercial manure hauler may not land apply manure.
(b) Application for Level 1 commercial manure hauler certification. Submission of the completed, signed and verified work sheet, along with the appropriate certification fee, to the Department shall act as the application for a Level 1 commercial manure hauler certificate. A copy of the completed, signed and verified work sheet shall act as a temporary certificate. The Level 1 hauler shall keep that copy with him at all times until a final certification is issued by the Department. Upon completion of the work sheet, the commercial manure hauler or commercial manure broker verifying the work sheet shall fax or scan and e-mail the verified work sheet to the Department. The commercial manure hauler or broker verifying the work sheet shall be responsible for mailing the original work sheet and the certification fee to the Department within 5 business days of its completion. Upon receiving the completed, signed and verified work sheet, along with the proper certification fee, the Department will mail a Level 1 commercial manure hauler final certification to the holder of the temporary certificate.
COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULERS—LEVEL 2
§ 130e.31. Determination of competence.
(a) Level 2 commercial manure hauler. Determination of competence for a Level 2 commercial manure hauler shall be based on the successful completion of a certification course and a written examination as set forth in this section. Certification requirements for a Level 2 commercial manure hauler include a nonclassroom certification course developed or approved by the Department and a proctored examination. The nonclassroom certification course must include a training manual. The written examination shall be completed by the applicant without the aid or assistance of another person. The applicant for a Level 2 commercial manure hauler certification may utilize the training manual and his own notes when taking the written examination. The written examination shall be available at and shall be taken at one of the following:
(1) A county conservation district office.
(2) An educational institution or entity that developed an approved course or has been approved to administer Department-approved or developed training and testing for Level 2 commercial manure haulers.
(3) The Department or a regional office location of the Department.
(b) Certification course. A Level 2 commercial manure hauler nonclassroom certification course and the written examination must, at a minimum, address and determine the applicant’s level of understanding, competence and proficiency with regard to the following topics:
(1) Laws and regulations pertaining to manure application, including pertinent provisions of Act 38 of 2005 and its attendant regulations in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 83, Subchapter D (relating to nutrient management), The Clean Streams Law and 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 (relating to erosion and sedimentation control), the Manure Management Manual and protection of agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances provisions of the act of June 10, 1982 (P. L. 454, No. 133) (3 P. S. § § 951—957).
(2) Basic nutrient management and manure management protocols and requirements and soil fertility and management.
(3) Courses presenting information necessary for understanding and properly reading and applying the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet. The courses must cover manure handling and testing, land application information, manure application setback requirements and maps contained in nutrient balance sheets and nutrient management plans. The courses must include examples and hands on experience in reading, interpreting and properly applying the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet.
(4) BMPs with respect to manure hauling and land application of manure, such as the minimum legal setback requirements from water sources, including wells, groundwater, surface waters, wetlands, public water supplies, perennial and intermittent streams and property lines, controlling nutrient runoff, installing riparian buffers, updating and following erosion and sedimentation control plans, seasonal manure application concerns and incorporation and no-till farming techniques.
(5) Recordkeeping requirements necessary to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements of the act and Act 38 of 2005.
(6) The following matters pertaining to manure transport and land application:
(i) Courses covering the filing requirements in the act.
(ii) Basic awareness of safety issues related to manure management, manure handling and biosecurity, as well as, transport safety procedures and highway and equipment safety.
(iii) Understanding emergency action plans.
(iv) Proper calibration of application rates and techniques and requirements for calibrating all types of application equipment normally utilized to land apply manure.
(v) Understanding of land application issues, such as incorporation, compaction and winter application.
(vi) Understanding the proper placement of stacking areas and temporary storage of manure, such as set back requirements, placement and covering requirements and short and long term stacking requirements.
(vii) Other areas and course work related to proper transport and land application of manure and recordkeeping as determined appropriate by the Department.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.51 (relating to commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements); and 7 Pa. Code § 130e.52 (relating to continuing education credit course providers).
§ 130e.32. Certification requirements.
(a) General. General criteria for Level 2 commercial manure haulers are as follows:
(1) A person shall obtain certification as a commercial manure hauler Level 2 prior to land-applying manure.
(2) Manure land-applied by a Level 2 certified commercial manure hauler shall only be applied under the supervision of a Level 1 or Level 2 certified commercial manure broker or a Level 3 certified commercial manure hauler acting as a contract agent for an agricultural operator or commercial manure broker.
(3) When acting as a contract agent for an agricultural operator required by section 5 of the act (3 P. S. § 2010.5) to use a certified commercial manure hauler or certified commercial manure broker, shall land apply the manure in accordance with and based upon an approved nutrient management plan or a nutrient balance sheet developed by a certified commercial nutrient management specialist or a Level 2 certified commercial manure broker.
(4) The Level 2 commercial manure hauler shall maintain the records of manure transported or land-applied as required by this chapter and the recordkeeping requirements of the nutrient management regulations in 25 Pa. Code § § 83.341—83.344 (relating to recordkeeping and informational requirements).
(b) Application for Level 2 commercial manure hauler certification. To obtain a Level 2 commercial manure hauler certification, a person shall request and review the Level 2 certification course training manual and take and pass the Level 2 certification written examination. Submission of the required examination for certification as a Level 2 commercial manure hauler shall act as the application for a Level 2 commercial manure hauler certificate. Upon receiving and scoring the examination, the Department will send written notice to the applicant. The written notice will inform the applicant whether he passed or failed the examination. If the applicant has passed the examination, the written notice will include a temporary certificate. The temporary certificate will be valid for 30 days from the date of receipt. The holder of the temporary certificate shall forward the appropriate certification fee to the Department within that 30-day time period. Upon receipt of the appropriate fee, the Department will mail the final certification to the holder of the temporary certificate.
(c) Conditional certification. This provision shall be utilized only under circumstances established in this subsection.
(1) Qualifying conditions. Conditional certification may be utilized to certify a person as a Level 2 commercial manure hauler to cover an unforeseeable circumstance or event which leaves the owner of the commercial manure hauler or commercial manure broker business without personnel to haul and apply manure during critical times, or when imminent environmental threat or harm exists.
(i) An unforeseeable circumstance or event includes:
(A) Failure of a certified employee to report to work because of illness.
(B) The resignation without notice of a certified employee.
(C) The unexplained absence of a certified employee.
(ii) An imminent environmental threat or harm exists when circumstances may cause a manure storage area to overflow or breach without prior warning. Circumstances include:
(A) A weather occurrence, such as unexpectedly high amounts of rain or a natural disaster such as a hurricane.
(B) Damage to the manure storage.
(2) General procedure for conditional certification. Applicants for conditional certification shall comply with the following procedures:
(i) Notification. Prior to allowing the employee to haul or land-apply manure, the owner of the commercial manure hauling or brokering business who wishes to have an employee conditionally certified as a Level 2 commercial manure hauler shall be required to contact the Department and notify the Department of the necessity of the conditional certification. The notification must set forth the qualifying condition necessitating conditional certification.
(ii) Limitation on conditional approvals. The Department will have the right to limit the number of employees for which it will grant a conditional certification and the number of times it will grant a conditional certification to a commercial manure hauler or brokering business. Prior to denying a request, the Department will notify a commercial manure hauler or broker that a future limitation will be imposed. Any oral notification will be followed by a written notification.
(iii) Necessity of conditional certification. The owner of the commercial manure hauling or brokering business shall set forth a reasonable and plausible explanation of why the triggering circumstance or event was unforeseeable or delineate the environmental harm or threat triggering the need for conditional certification. The owner shall provide specific information regarding the reason conditional certification is necessary.
(3) Conditions and limitations of approval. When conditional certification is utilized, the following apply:
(i) The Department will provide on-line and by means of fax the Level 2 workbook and a work sheet covering the information necessary to conditionally certify a Level 2 commercial manure hauler.
(ii) The employee who wishes to become conditionally certified shall review the Level 2 workbook and complete the work sheet.
(iii) The employee and the employer shall sign the work sheet and fax the verified and completed work sheet to the Department.
(iv) The work sheet shall be completed, signed and faxed or scanned and e-mailed to the Department prior to the conditionally certified person transporting or land applying manure.
(v) The employer shall mail the original copy of the completed and signed work sheet to the Department within the 5 business days for which the employee’s conditional certification is valid.
(vi) The conditionally certified employee shall take and pass the Level 2 commercial manure hauler test within 5 business days of the employer notifying the Department of the conditional certification.
(vii) Conditional certification will be valid for 5 business days from the date of notification. The conditionally certified employee may not continue to operate under the conditional certification after the 5-day period has run and may not be granted any extension.
(viii) Conditional certification will be granted to a person only one time.
(ix) The owner of the commercial manure hauling or brokering business shall agree to a date and location where the conditionally certified employee will take the Level 2 commercial manure hauler examination. The date shall be within 5 business days of the notification of the conditional certification.
(4) Land application conditions. When the Department grants conditional certification, the conditionally-certified employee shall land apply manure under the supervision of a Level 3 certified commercial manure hauler or a Level 1 or 2 certified commercial manure broker. A conditionally certified employee may not land apply manure unless the conditions are met.
(d) Denial of certification. If an applicant for a Level 2 commercial manure hauler certification is denied, the Department will notify the applicant, in writing and specifically set forth the reasons for the denial. When a Level 2 commercial manure hauler applicant is denied, the applicant shall be allowed to take the Level 2 commercial manure hauler written examination again and submit it as set forth in subsection (b), to the Department. The applicant may not land-apply manure until certified as a Level 2 commercial manure hauler.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.51 (relating to commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements).
COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULERS—LEVEL 3
§ 130e.41. Determination of competence.
(a) Commercial manure hauler Level 3 certification. Determination of competence for a Level 3 commercial manure hauler shall be based on the successful completion of a Department-developed or approved certification course and a written examination meeting the requirements in this section. Both the certification course and the written examination shall be administered in a classroom setting. The certification course shall be completed prior to the applicant taking the written examination. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification), meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 3 commercial manure hauler.
(b) Certification course. The certification course must, at a minimum, address the applicant’s understanding, competence and proficiency with regard to the following topics:
(1) Laws and regulations pertaining to manure application, including pertinent provisions Act 38 of 2005 and its attendant regulations in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 83, Subchapter D (relating to nutrient management), The Clean Streams Law and applicable regulations in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 (related to erosion and sedimentation control), the Manure Management Manual and protection of agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances provisions of the act of June 10, 1982 (P. L. 454, No. 133) (3 P. S. § § 951—957).
(2) Basic nutrient management and manure management protocols and requirements and soil fertility and management.
(3) Courses presenting information necessary for understanding and properly reading and applying the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet. The courses must cover manure handling and testing, land application information, manure application setback requirements and maps contained in nutrient balance sheets and nutrient management plans. The courses must include examples and hands on experience in reading, interpreting and properly applying the provisions of a nutrient management plan and nutrient balance sheet.
(4) BMPs with respect to manure hauling and land application of manure, such as the minimum legal setback requirements from water sources, including wells, groundwater, surface waters, wetlands, public water supplies, perennial and intermittent streams and property lines, controlling nutrient runoff, installing riparian buffers, updating and following erosion and sedimentation control plans, seasonal manure application concerns and incorporation and no-till farming techniques.
(5) Recordkeeping requirements necessary to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements of Act 38 of 2005.
(6) The following matters pertaining to manure transport and land application:
(i) Courses covering the filing requirements in the act.
(ii) Community relation and public image awareness, to encourage dialogue and promote cooperation.
(iii) Basic awareness of safety issues related to manure management, manure handling and biosecurity, as well as, transport safety procedures and highway and equipment safety.
(iv) Understanding emergency action plans.
(v) Proper calibration of application rates and techniques and requirements for calibrating all types of application equipment normally utilized to land apply manure.
(vi) Understanding of land application issues, such as, incorporation, compaction and winter application.
(vii) Understanding the proper placement of stacking areas and temporary storage of manure, such as set back requirements, placement and covering requirements and short and long term stacking requirements.
(c) Certification course and written examination. The Department or an approved educational institution or entity, as provided for in the act, may develop and administer the training courses and proctor the written examinations. Certification courses and examinations for Level 3 commercial manure haulers will be offered at least twice per year, or more often as deemed necessary by the Department. The certification courses and examinations will be offered at various locations across this Commonwealth in a manner that will insure Statewide coverage and access. At a minimum, the successful completion of the examination will demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of transport and land application of manure on agricultural operations and the applicant’s technical knowledge and proficiency relating to interpretation and implementation of nutrient management plans and nutrient balance sheets, as well as, the applicant’s knowledge of recordkeeping requirements. The written examination must, at a minimum, address the topics and areas required to be addressed by the certification course, as set forth in subsection (b).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.42 (relating to certification requirements); 7 Pa. Code § 130e.51 (relating to commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements); and 7 Pa. Code § 130e.52 (relating to continuing education credit course providers).
§ 130e.42. Certification requirements.
(a) General. The act and this chapter establish four general criteria for commercial manure haulers.
(1) A person acting as a commercial manure hauler shall obtain certification as a commercial manure hauler Level 3 prior to land applying manure without supervision and prior to supervising the land application of manure by another certified commercial manure hauler. A Level 3 certified commercial manure hauler may transport or land-apply, or both, manure as a contract agent for an agricultural operator or commercial manure broker and under the direction of that operator or broker.
(2) A person acting as a commercial manure hauler shall maintain certification under the requirements of the certification program.
(3) When acting as a contract agent for an agricultural operator required under section 5 of the act (3 P. S. § 2010.5) to use a certified commercial manure hauler or certified commercial manure broker, the commercial manure hauler shall land apply the manure in accordance with and based upon an approved nutrient management plan or nutrient balance sheet developed by a certified commercial nutrient management specialist or a Level 2 certified commercial manure broker. When acting as a contract agent for a certified commercial manure broker, that has assumed temporary control or ownership of manure from an agricultural operator required by section 5 of the act to use a certified commercial manure hauler or certified commercial manure broker, the commercial manure hauler shall land apply the manure in accordance with and based upon an approved nutrient management plan or nutrient balance sheet developed by a certified commercial nutrient management specialist or a Level 2 certified commercial manure broker
(4) Commercial manure haulers shall maintain records of all manure they transport or land-apply as required by this chapter and the recordkeeping requirements of the nutrient management regulations in 25 Pa. Code § § 83.341—83.344 (relating to recordkeeping and informational requirements).
(b) Application for Level 3 commercial manure hauler certification.
(1) Submission of application. Submission of the required examination for certification as a Level 3 commercial manure hauler shall act as the application for a Level 3 commercial manure hauler certificate. Upon receiving and scoring the examination, the Department will send written notice to the applicant. The written notice will inform the applicant whether he passed or failed the examination. If the applicant has passed the examination, the written notice will include a temporary certificate. The temporary certificate will be valid for 30 days from the date of receipt. The holder of the temporary certification shall forward the appropriate certification fees to the Department within that 30-day time period. Upon receipt of the appropriate certification fees, the Department will mail the final certification to the holder of the temporary certificate.
(2) Certified nutrient management plan writer. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification), meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 3 commercial manure hauler. Upon receiving a letter requesting certification, along with the certification fee, the Department will verify the applicant’s nutrient management plan writer certification and good standing. Upon verification of this criteria, the Department will issue the appropriate final certification.
(c) Denial of certification.
(1) If an applicant for a Level 3 commercial manure hauler certification is denied, the Department will notify the applicant, in writing and specifically set forth the reasons for the denial.
(2) When a Level 3 commercial manure hauler applicant is denied, the applicant shall be allowed to take the next available Level 3 commercial manure hauler written examination and submit an application, in the manner required by subsection (b), to the Department without having to repeat the certification course required by § 130e.41 (relating to determination of competence). If the applicant fails to pass the written examination for a second time, the applicant shall be required to repeat the certification course required by § 130e.41 prior to taking the written examination for a third time.
(e) Level 3 commercial manure hauler to Level 2 commercial manure broker.
(1) A Level 3 certified commercial manure hauler may attain a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification by meeting the requirements in § 130e.11(b) (relating to determination of competence). To be eligible to apply, the applicant shall be currently certified as a Level 3 commercial manure hauler and in good standing.
(2) The Department will notify an applicant in writing of approval or denial of an application as set forth in subsections (b) and (c). If the nutrient balance sheet is determined to be adequate, the written notice will include the Level 2 commercial manure broker certificate. If the Department rejects the application, the Department will notify the applicant in writing and set forth the reasons for the rejection. When the applicant wishes to reapply for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification, the procedures and steps related to reconsideration for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification, established under § 130e.12(d)(3)(ii) (relating to certification requirements) apply and shall be followed. When an applicant seeks a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification and fails the nutrient balance sheet examination, the applicant shall be allowed to take the next available nutrient balance sheet examination. If the applicant fails to pass the nutrient balance sheet examination for a second time, the Department will again notify the applicant, in writing of the denial and the reason for the denial. To again be considered for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification, the applicant shall be required to repeat the appropriate nutrient management plan writing certification courses related to nutrient balance sheet development and then pass a proctored nutrient balance sheet examination administered or approved by the Department.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
§ 130e.51. Commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements.
(a) Continuing education credit requirements. To maintain certification, certified commercial manure brokers and commercial manure haulers shall be required to obtain continuing education credits. The number of continuing education credits required shall be based on the level of certification. The Department will develop or may approve continuing education credit courses for each level of certification.
(1) Level 1 and 2 commercial manure brokers and Level 3 commercial manure haulers. Every 3 calendar years, Level 1 and Level 2 commercial manure brokers and Level 3 commercial manure haulers, shall provide written documentation of completion of the required number of continuing education credits. Continuing education credits shall be received by attending and completing Department-developed or approved continuing education courses in the competency requirements set forth in the initial certification courses for the particular level at which the person is certified. Competency requirements for Level 1 and Level 2 commercial manure brokers are set forth in § 130e.11 (relating to determination of competence) and competency requirements for Level 3 commercial manure haulers are delineated in § 130e.41 (relating to determination of competence). Continuing education credit courses and credits offered in conjunction with the Department’s nutrient management plan certification regulations meet the requirements for continuing education credits under this section.
(2) Level 2 commercial manure haulers. Every 3 calendar years, Level 2 commercial manure haulers shall provide written documentation of completion of the required number of continuing education credits. Continuing education credits shall be received by attending and completing Department-developed or approved continuing education courses in the competency requirements for a Level 2 commercial manure hauler, which are set forth in § 130e.31 (relating to determination of competence).
(3) Level 1 commercial manure haulers. Every calendar year, Level 1 commercial manure haulers shall complete an updated work sheet as set forth in subsection (b)(2)(ii)(d).
(b) Continuing education courses and credits.
(1) Continuing education. Continuing education credits shall be obtained through attendance at Department- developed or approved courses. The Department will develop or evaluate and approve continuing education courses for each level of commercial manure broker and commercial manure hauler. The Department will publish approved courses and the place, date and time for each course on the Department website and in the Department’s quarterly newsletter. The Department will also notify certified commercial manure brokers and commercial manure haulers by e-mail or by fax, or both, if the commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler has provided its contact information to the Department. The Department will endeavor to hold continuing education courses in various regions across this Commonwealth to assure reasonable access to certified commercial manure brokers and haulers across this Commonwealth.
(2) Continuing education credits.
(i) Rate of accrual. Continuing education credits accrue at the rate of 1 credit per hour of applicable instruction. Participants shall be required to sign in and sign out of each continuing education course. Participants shall be required to attend the entire continuing education course. A participant leaving a continuing education course early shall receive no continuing education credits. The sign in and sign out sheets will be provided by the Department and shall be collected by the continuing education course provider at the end of each day of the continuing education course and mailed to the Department. The Department will record the name of each certified commercial manure broker and certified commercial manure hauler attending the continuing education course and assign the appropriate number of continuing education credits to the broker’s or hauler’s file. Break periods such as coffee breaks, lunches, visits to exhibits and the like will not be considered as part of the instruction period and shall be excluded from the applicable instruction hours. Question and answer sessions shall be considered part of the applicable instruction hours. Early dismissal is not allowed and credits will not accrue in any hour in which there was an early dismissal.
(ii) Number of continuing education credit hours required. Certified commercial manure brokers and certified commercial manure haulers shall be required to obtain the following amount of continuing education credits in Department-approved continuing education courses:
(A) Level 1 certified commercial manure brokers and Level 3 certified commercial manure haulers shall be required to attain 9 continuing education credits every 3 years.
(B) Level 2 certified commercial manure brokers shall be required to attain a total of 12 continuing education credits every 3 years, with 3 of those 12 continuing education credits pertaining to development of nutrient balance sheets.
(C) Level 2 certified commercial manure haulers will be required to attain 6 continuing education credits every 3 years.
(D) Level 1 certified commercial manure haulers shall not be required to attain continuing education credits. Level 1 certified commercial manure haulers shall be required to fill-out, sign and return an updated work sheet prior to the expiration of their certification period. The Department will mail an updated work sheet to each Level 1 certified commercial manure hauler at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the Level 1 commercial manure hauler’s certification. Upon receipt of the completed and signed work sheet and the proper certification fee, the Department will issue an updated certification.
(c) Failure to obtain continuing education credits. If a commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler allows his certification to expire and does not obtain the required number and types of continuing education credits in accordance with this chapter, the commercial manure broker’s or commercial manure hauler’s certification shall have lapsed and that person’s privilege to broker or haul manure shall be suspended or revoked until the commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler obtains the required continuing education credits and meets the recertification requirements of this chapter. If the commercial manure broker or hauler has failed to obtain any of the required continuing education credits, that person shall again satisfy the full certification requirements established by this chapter for the level of certification sought to be retained. The Department will send a written notice of the lapse and of suspension or revocation of certification to the commercial manure broker or hauler. The act requires maintenance of certification and, therefore, a commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler that has allowed his certification to lapse shall refrain from brokering, hauling or land applying manure until all delinquent continuing education credits are acquired or that person has again completed the appropriate certification requirements and received the Department’s approval, has been removed from suspension and has been reissued a commercial manure broker or hauler certification. Failure to abide by the terms of this subsection is a violation of the act and this chapter and shall subject the violator and his employer to the penalties provisions in sections 6—9 of the act.
(d) Revocation or suspension. The Department’s decision to revoke or suspend a commercial manure broker’s or commercial manure hauler’s certification will be based on the gravity of the offense. The Department will consider the willfulness of the violation, previous violations and whether the person in question has continued to operate despite not acquiring the required continuing education credits prior to lapse of his current level of certification.
(1) Suspended certification. A commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler whose certification has been suspended may not operate until all continuing education credits have been met and approved by the Department or that person has again completed the appropriate certification requirements and received the approvals, as set forth in subsection (c).
(2) Revoked certification. A commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler whose certification has been revoked, may not operate until the Department has issued a new certification. To obtain certification again, the person whose certification has been revoked shall again satisfy the full certification requirements established by this chapter for the level of certification sought to be obtained.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.61 (relating to denial, suspension and revocation of certificates).
§ 130e.52. Continuing education credit course providers.
(a) Approval, denial, suspension and revocation to provide a continuing education credit course.
(1) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for approval to conduct a continuing education credit course, the applicant shall be the Pennsylvania State University or other education institution or entity. Out-of-State educational institutions or entities may submit certification programs to the Department for approval. To obtain approval, any training and educational program must, at a minimum, meet the requirements established by section 3 of the act (3 P. S. § 2010.3).
(2) Application content. Persons developing and seeking approval of a continuing education credit course shall submit an application, containing details of the course components and topics, as well as, subject matter and topics and time allotted to each subject or topic. The application must include the name of the person developing and administering the course and a contact person. The application must state whether the courses will be open to the public and if a fee will be charged. The application must set forth which of the various levels of certification the course provider intends to address and the overall length of the program and credit hours sought to be approved. Subsequent to receiving the approval or contingent approval of the Department, the course provider shall provide the specific locations, the names of speakers and the proposed dates and times the course will be offered at each location.
(3) Submission of application. The application shall be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9408.
(4) Department approval, disapproval or modification. An applicant shall receive approval from the Department prior to offering or administering a continuing education credit course. The Department will review and approve, disapprove or modify a request for approval within 30 days of receipt of an administratively complete application. An approval, denial or modification will be in writing. A denial or modification request will state the specific reasons for the denial or the specific modifications required and the reason for the modifications. An application for continuing education credit course approval shall be submitted to the Department and approved by the Department prior to the applicant advertising the course or setting a date, place and time for the course. Upon approval, the applicant may advertise the course and begin to take applications for the course. The Department will publish the approved course on the Department’s website. The publication will include the course level, hours of credits to be received and the date, time and place the course will be offered.
(5) Criteria for approval. At a minimum, a continuing education credit course must address the areas of competence in § 130e.11, § 130e.21, § 130e.31 or § 130e.41, required for the level of certification the course provider intends to address.
(6) Revocation of course or denial or revocation of credit hours. The Department may revoke approval of a continuing education credit course or deny or revoke credit hours, or both. When the Department revokes approval of a course, the Department may also notify the course provider it is ineligible to provide continuing education credit courses for 12 months, or longer, from the date of the revocation. When the Department revokes approval of a continuing education course, any credit hours earned by a course attendee prior to the notice of revocation, will be honored and will not be forfeited. The following are the grounds for revocation of a course or denial or revocation of continuing education credits offered through that course:
(i) The applicant or approved continuing education credit course provider falsified or failed to disclose required information on the application or falsified or failed to disclose information with regard to course hours given or attended, type or content of material presented, attendance records of certified commercial manure brokers or haulers seeking continuing education credits or a violation of other criteria required under this section.
(ii) The approved continuing education credit course provider has failed to update materials and course content in a manner necessary to keep the course current with updates in statutes, regulations, technology or practices. In this situation, the Department will notify the course provider, in writing, of deficiencies prior to issuing a revocation. The course provider shall correct the deficiencies within 30 days. Failure to correct the deficiencies will result in a revocation of the Department’s approval.
(iii) The course provider has violated or assisted a person in violating a provision of the act or this chapter.
(iv) The course provider modifies the approved course, with regard to course content or hours of credit offered, or modifies dates and times of courses offered without the approval of the Department.
(b) Course monitoring. If the Department or its designee is unable to personally monitor a continuing education credit course, the approved course provider shall be responsible for verifying attendance, including credit hours actually attended, and shall compile a list of the names of the individual certified commercial manure brokers and commercial manure haulers in attendance and their certification number. The list shall be compiled on a form provided by the Department. The forms shall be returned to the Department within 10 working days following the date the continuing education credit course was conducted.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130e.61 (relating to denial, suspension and revocation of certificates).
DENIAL, SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF COMMERCIAL MANURE BROKER OR HAULER CERTIFICATES
§ 130e.61. Denial, suspension and revocation of certificates.
(a) General power and authority. The Department may, after notice, including a statement of the reasons therefore, deny, suspend or revoke the certification of a commercial manure broker or commercial manure hauler for one or more of the following reasons:
(1) A violation of the act or this chapter.
(2) Failure to obtain the required continuing education credits in § 130e.51 (relating to commercial manure broker and hauler continuing education requirements).
(3) Inconsistency and demonstration of a lack of knowledge or proficiency in the proper handling, transportation or land application of manure, including violations of the act, Act 38 of 2005 or The Clean Streams Law.
(4) Three or more occurrences within a 3-year period of noncompliance with recordkeeping requirements, including delay or noncommunication with an agricultural operator, a conservation district or the Department in providing requested or required information or recordkeeping documentation.
(5) Falsifying information.
(6) Allowing certification to lapse.
(b) Notice of violation and orders. The Department may issue notices of violation and orders necessary for the enforcement of the act and this chapter. An order will take effect upon notice unless the order specifies otherwise.
(c) Procedure. A person may appeal an action under this section to the Secretary as follows:
(1) The appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the date of receipt of the order, revocation or suspension.
(2) The Secretary will issue a decision on the appeal within 30 days of the filing of an appeal under paragraph (1). If the Secretary does not issue a decision within 30 days, the order, revocation or suspension will be deemed withdrawn.
(3) This subsection is subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Chapter 5, Subchapter A and Chapter 7, Subchapter A (relating to Administrative Agency Law).
(4) The appeal must be in writing and set forth the specific reasons for the appeal. The appeal shall be sent to the Bureau of Plant Industry, Agriculture Building, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17110.
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