The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Agricultural erosion and sediment control plan.” A site-specific plan identifying BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation from agricultural runoff required by 25 Pa. Code Ch. 102 (relating to erosion and sediment control).

“Agricultural operation.” The management and use of farming resources for production of crops, livestock or poultry.

“Agriculturally impaired stream miles.” Stream miles that are designated impaired due to the identified source being agriculture as defined by the most recent Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report by the Department of Environmental Protection.

“Animal concentration areas.” The following:

“Best management practice” or “BMP.” A practice or combination of practices determined by the commission or United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to be effective and practical, considering technological, economic and institutional factors, to manage nutrients and sediment to protect surface water and groundwater.

“Commission.” The State Conservation Commission.

“Conservation district.” A county conservation district established under the act of May 15, 1945 (P.L. 547, No. 217),¹ known as the Conservation District Law.

“Conservation plan.” A United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plan, including a schedule for implementation, that identifies site specific conservation best management practices on an agricultural operation.

“Cropland acres.” The acres of land used to produce adapted crops for harvest, which includes both cultivated and noncultivated crops and areas managed for forage production that are harvested by livestock, or a combination of livestock and mechanical harvesting.

“Eligible applicant.” Any person or other legal entity that has legal or financial responsibility for one of the following:

“Erosion.” The natural process by which the surface of the land is worn away by water, wind or chemical action.

“Livestock.” Animals raised, stabled, fed or maintained on an agricultural operation with the purpose of generating income or providing work, recreation or transportation. The term does not include aquatic species.

“Manure management plan.” A plan developed and implemented in accordance with 25 Pa. Code Ch. 91 (relating to general provisions).

“Nutrient.” A substance or recognized plant nutrient, element or compound which is used or sold for its plant nutritive content or its claimed nutritive value. The term includes, but is not limited to, livestock and poultry manures, compost as fertilizer, commercially manufactured chemical fertilizers, biosolids or combinations thereof.

“Nutrient management plan.” A written site-specific plan which incorporates BMPs to manage the use of plant nutrients for crop production and water quality protection consistent with the criteria established in 3 Pa.C.S. §§ 504 (relating to powers and duties of commission) and 506 (relating to nutrient management plans).

“Poultry.” Birds raised, fed or maintained on an agricultural operation with the purpose of generating income.

“Program.” The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program established under this article.

“Sediment.” Soils or other erodible materials transported by storm water as a product of erosion.

“Surface waters.” Perennial and intermittent streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, wetlands, springs, natural seeps and estuaries. The term does not include water at facilities approved for wastewater treatment, such as wastewater treatment impoundments, cooling water ponds and constructed wetlands used as part of a wastewater treatment process.

“Technical assistance.” Advice, technical expertise, information, training and tools provided to a landowner, commission, conservation district or others regarding program implementation, including, but not limited to, the proper planning, design and installation of best management practices.

“Watershed implementation plan.” A plan created to achieve water quality improvement goals within a watershed of this Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, Chesapeake Bay Watershed implementation plans, county action plans or other watershed-based restoration and implementation plans.