9VAC25-900-60. Limitations, liability, and prohibitions.
A. Except to the extent it may be an owner as defined by this chapter, none of the following shall have responsibility or liability for the performance of practices at a nutrient credit-generating project evaluated using the procedures established in this chapter: (i) the department, (ii) a VESMP authority, or (iii) any political subdivision of the Commonwealth.
B. Those persons with whom the department contracts, including those serving as technical evaluators on an advisory committee, are advisors to the department, and the department remains solely responsible for decisions made regarding implementation of this chapter.
C. For the purposes of this chapter, the certification of nutrient credits that are generated from practices funded in part or in whole by federal or state water quality grant funds is prohibited other than controls and practices under § 62.1-44.19:20 B 1 a of the Act; however, establishing baseline as specified in 9VAC25-900-100 may be achieved through the use of such grants.
D. The option to acquire nutrient credits for compliance purposes shall not eliminate any requirement to comply with local water quality requirements, including such requirements lawfully imposed by a locality or local MS4.
E. The issuance of a nutrient credit certification under this chapter does not convey any property rights of any sort or any exclusive privilege.
F. The issuance of a nutrient credit certification under this chapter does not authorize any injury to persons or property or invasion of other private rights, or any infringement of state or local law or regulations.
G. Nutrient credit certifications are not transferable except in accordance with 9VAC25-900-180. The department may require modification or revocation and reissuance of nutrient credit certifications to change the name of the owner of the nutrient credit-generating project and incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under the State Water Control Law or the Clean Water Act.
H. No person shall offer for exchange nutrient credits except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
I. No nutrient credit shall be generated by practices previously implemented to comply with: (i) the requirements for a VPDES (9VAC25-31), VPA (9VAC25-32), VWP (9VAC25-210), or VPDES construction general permit (9VAC25-880); (ii) erosion and sedimentation control requirements pursuant to 9VAC25-875; or (iii) the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act pursuant to § 62.1-44.15:67-79 of the Code of Virginia.
J. Nutrient credit generation and use shall be contemporaneous with the applicable permit's compliance period.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19:20 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2020.