Nutrient Management - Tidal Buffer - Vegetative Buffers and Restriction on Fertilizer Application

HB 1175 requires agricultural operators in Maryland to install native vegetative buffers (strips of maintained native plants) along tidal waters within 100 feet of the water's edge. It provides financial incentives, including up to 150% reimbursement for installation costs and annual bonus payments of at least $150 per acre, for farmers who create these buffers on eligible land. The bill also prohibits fertilizer application in tidal buffer zones for nutrient management plans renewed after implementation. These changes directly affect farmers operating within Maryland’s Critical Area near tidal waters, aiming to improve water quality by reducing nutrient runoff.