HB 812 Summary

• Clarifies that nutrient offset credits are effective for the duration of the nutrient offset project unless the Department of Environmental Quality finds they are effective for a limited time period.

• Allows government entities to purchase nutrient offset credits through approved nutrient offset banks or by paying a fee into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund.

• Requires non-government entities to first attempt purchasing credits through approved nutrient offset banks, with fee payment option available only if bank participation is not available.

• Expands offset options for NPDES-permitted wastewater nutrient sources to include projects in the same hydrologic area (eight-digit cataloging unit) or locations downstream from the source and upstream from identified restoration water bodies.

• Restricts stormwater and other nutrient source offsets to projects located within the same hydrologic area, with authority for further limitations by rule to achieve nutrient strategy objectives.