R64-3-3. Requirements and Procedure to Qualify for the Agriculture Certificate of Environmental Stewardship (ACES)

  (1) Owner/operator shall complete the requirements in the workbook(s) for each desired sector (farmstead, animal feeding operation, grazing and pasture, and cropping). Workbook(s) are available at the Department's website (http://ag.utah.gov/aces/index.html).

  (2) Planner(s) shall be available from conservation districts to aid owner/operators in meeting the requirements of ACES which are in the workbook(s).

  (3) Requirements found in the workbooks shall be reviewed and site visit conducted by a planner(s), in preparation for Commission certification.

  (4) Verification shall be conducted by the Department after a site visit by the planner(s) has occurred and before Commission certification.

  (5) Owner/operator shall complete education requirements prior to certification either by:

  (a) completing workshops/training endorsed by ACES;

  (b) completing education modules found on the Department's website (http://ag.utah.gov/aces/index.html) under the ACES Program; or

  (c) combination of workshops/training and education modules from the Department's website.

  (6) Once the operation has completed requirements and been approved by the planner(s) and verified by the Department, the operation my request certification from the Commission.

  (7) The Commission may certify the operation after the operation has requested certification and after reviewing the planner(s) and Department records.

  (8) When an operation is certified for a given sector, the Department shall provide a certificate for that sector

  (9) After completion of all sectors the operation is involved in, the Department shall provide a sign.

  (10) Owner/operator shall be charged $100 for each sector certified, not to exceed $250 total per certification period.

  (11) An Animal Feeding Operation may request permit by rule coverage from DWQ by completing the request form found on the back page of the workbook and submitting it to DWQ with a copy of their ACES certificate.