(1) The Legislature finds and declares that: (a) the soil and water resources of this state constitute one of the state's basic assets; and (b) the preservation of soil and water resources requires planning and programs to ensure: (i) the development and utilization of soil and water resources; and (ii) soil and water resources' protection from the adverse effects of wind and water erosion, sediment, and sediment related pollutants.

(a) the soil and water resources of this state constitute one of the state's basic assets; and

(b) the preservation of soil and water resources requires planning and programs to ensure: (i) the development and utilization of soil and water resources; and (ii) soil and water resources' protection from the adverse effects of wind and water erosion, sediment, and sediment related pollutants.

(i) the development and utilization of soil and water resources; and

(ii) soil and water resources' protection from the adverse effects of wind and water erosion, sediment, and sediment related pollutants.

(2) The Legislature finds that local production of food is essential for: (a) the security of the state's food supply; and (b) the self-sufficiency of the state's citizens.

(a) the security of the state's food supply; and

(b) the self-sufficiency of the state's citizens.

(3) The Legislature finds that sustainable agriculture is critical to: (a) the success of rural communities; (b) the historical culture of the state; (c) maintaining healthy farmland; (d) maintaining high water quality; (e) maintaining abundant wildlife; (f) high-quality recreation for citizens of the state; and (g) helping to stabilize the state economy.

(a) the success of rural communities;

(b) the historical culture of the state;

(c) maintaining healthy farmland;

(d) maintaining high water quality;

(e) maintaining abundant wildlife;

(f) high-quality recreation for citizens of the state; and

(g) helping to stabilize the state economy.

(4) The Legislature finds that livestock grazing on public lands is important for the proper management, maintenance, and health of public lands in the state.

(5) The Legislature encourages each agricultural producer in the state to operate in a reasonable and responsible manner to maintain the integrity of soil, water, and air.

(6) The department shall administer the Utah Agriculture Certificate of Environmental Stewardship Program, created in Section 4-18-107, to encourage each agricultural producer in this state to operate in a reasonable and responsible manner to maintain the integrity of the state's resources.