CHAPTER 54 - RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Title 16 > CHAPTER 54
Sections (22)
§ 3401 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 336(f)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1007
§§ 3411 to 3414 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 336(f)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1007
§ 3415 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1011(p), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 710
§§ 3416 to 3418 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 336(f)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1007
§ 3419 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1011(q), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 710
§ 3420 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 336(f)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1007
§§ 3431 to 3436 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 336(f)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1007
§§ 3441 to 3445 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 336(f)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1007
§ 3451 Definitions
In this subchapter: The term “area plan” means a resource conservation and use plan developed through a locally led planning process by a council for a designated area of 1 or more States, or of land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, that includes 1 or more of the following elements: A land conservation element, the purpose of which is to control erosion and sedimentation. A water management element that provides 1 or more clear environmental or conservation benefits, the purpose of which is to provide for— the conservation, use, and quality of water, including irrigation and rural water supplies; the mitigation of floods and high water tables; the repair and improvement of reservoirs; the improvement of agricultural water management; and the improvement of water quality. A community development element, the purpose of which is to improve— the development of resources-based industries; the protection of rural industries from natural resource hazards; the development of adequate rural water and waste disposal systems; the improvement of recreation facilities; the improvement in the quality of rural housing; the provision of adequate health and education facilities; the satisfaction of essential transportation and communication needs; and the promotion of food security, economic development, and education. A land management element, the purpose of which is— energy conservation, including the production of energy crops; the protection of agricultural land, as appropriate, from conversion to other uses; farmland protection; and the protection of fish and wildlife habitats. The term “Board” means the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board established under section 3456(a) of this title . The term “council” means a nonprofit entity (including an affiliate of the entity) operating in a State that is— established by volunteers or representatives of States, local units of government, Indian tribes, or local nonprofit organizations to carry out an area plan in a designated area; and designated by the chief executive officer or legislature of the State to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter. The term “designated area” means a geographic area designated by the Secretary to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter. The term “financial assistance” means a grant or loan provided by the Secretary (or the Secretary and other Federal agencies) to, or a cooperative agreement entered into by the Secretary (or the Secretary and other Federal agencies) with, a council, or association of councils, to carry out an area plan in a designated area, including assistance provided for planning, analysis, feasibility studies, training, education, and other activities necessary to carry out the area plan. The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of title 25 . The term “local unit of government” means— any county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general-purpose subdivision of a State; and any local or regional special district or other limited political subdivision of a State, including any soil conservation district, school district, park authority, and water or sanitary district. The term “planning process” means actions taken by a locally led council to develop and carry out an effective area plan in a designated area, including development of the area plan, goals, purposes, policies, implementation activities, evaluations and reviews, and the opportunity for public participation in the actions. The term “nonprofit organization” means any organization that is— described in section 501(c) of title 26 ; and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of title 26 . The term “project” means a project that is carried out by a council to achieve any of the elements of an area plan. The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture. The term “State” means— any State; the District of Columbia; or any territory or possession of the United States. The term “technical assistance” means any service provided by the Secretary or agent of the Secretary, including— inventorying, evaluating, planning, designing, supervising, laying out, and inspecting projects; providing maps, reports, and other documents associated with the services provided; providing assistance for the implementation of area plans and projects; and providing services that involve the resources of Department of Agriculture programs in a local community, as defined in the locally led planning process. ( Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1528 , as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2504 , May 13, 2002 , 116 Stat. 269 ; Pub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2805(a) , (b), May 22, 2008 , 122 Stat. 1088 ; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a) , title II, § 2805(a), (b), June 18, 2008 , 122 Stat. 1664 , 1816.)
§ 3452 Resource conservation and development program
The Secretary shall establish a resource conservation and development program under which the Secretary shall provide technical assistance and financial assistance to councils to develop and carry out area plans and projects in designated areas— to conserve and improve the use of land, develop natural resources, and improve and enhance the social, economic, and environmental conditions in primarily rural areas of the United States; and to encourage and improve the capability of State, 1 units of government, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and councils to carry out the purposes described in paragraph (1). ( Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1529 , as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2504 , May 13, 2002 , 116 Stat. 272 .)
§ 3453 Selection of designated areas
The Secretary shall select designated areas for assistance under this subchapter on the basis of the elements of area plans. ( Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1530 , as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2504 , May 13, 2002 , 116 Stat. 272 .)
§ 3454 Powers of the Secretary
(a) In general In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary may— provide technical assistance to any council to assist in developing and implementing an area plan for a designated area; cooperate with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, States, local units of government, local Indian tribes, and local nonprofit organizations in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; assist in carrying out an area plan approved by the Secretary for any designated area by providing technical assistance and financial assistance to any council; and enter into agreements with councils in accordance with section 3455 of this title .
(b) Coordinator To improve the provision of technical assistance to councils under this subchapter, the Secretary shall designate for each council an individual to be the coordinator for the council. A coordinator for a council shall be directly responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the council.
§ 3455 Eligibility; terms and conditions
(a) Eligibility Technical assistance and financial assistance may be provided by the Secretary under this subchapter to any council to assist in carrying out a project specified in an area plan approved by the Secretary only if— the council agrees in writing— to carry out the project; and to finance or arrange for financing of any portion of the cost of carrying out the project for which financial assistance is not provided by the Secretary under this subchapter; the project is included in an area plan and is approved by the council; the Secretary determines that assistance is necessary to carry out the area plan; the project provided for in the area plan is consistent with any comprehensive plan for the area; the cost of the land or an interest in the land acquired or to be acquired under the plan by any State, local unit of government, Indian tribe, or local nonprofit organization is borne by the State, local unit of government, Indian tribe, or local nonprofit organization, respectively; and the State, local unit of government, Indian tribe, or local nonprofit organization participating in the area plan agrees to maintain and operate the project.
(b) Loans Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a loan made under this subchapter shall be made on such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe. A loan for a project made under this subchapter shall have a term of not more than 30 years after the date of completion of the project. A loan made under this subchapter shall bear interest at the average rate of interest paid by the United States on obligations of a comparable term, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(c) Approval by Secretary Technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter may not be made available to a council to carry out an area plan unless the area plan has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary.
(d) Withdrawal The Secretary may withdraw technical assistance and financial assistance with respect to any area plan if the Secretary determines that the assistance is no longer necessary or that sufficient progress has not been made toward developing or implementing the elements of the area plan.
§ 3456 Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board
(a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board.
(b) Composition The Board shall be composed of at least 7 employees of the Department of Agriculture selected by the Secretary. A member of the Board shall be designated by the Secretary to serve as chairperson of the Board.
(c) Duties The Board shall advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this subchapter, including the formulation of policies for carrying out this subchapter.
§ 3457 Repealed. Pub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2805(d), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1089, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, § 2805(d), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1817
§ 3458 Limitation on assistance
In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance and financial assistance with respect to not more than 450 active designated areas. ( Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1535 , as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2504 , May 13, 2002 , 116 Stat. 274 .)
§ 3459 Supplemental authority of the Secretary
The authority of the Secretary under this subchapter to assist councils in the development and implementation of area plans shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, any authority of the Secretary under any other provision of law. ( Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1536 , as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2504 , May 13, 2002 , 116 Stat. 274 .)
§ 3460 Authorization of appropriations
(a) In general There are authorized to be 1 such sums as are necessary to carry out this subchapter.
(b) Loans The Secretary shall not use more than $15,000,000 of any funds made available for a fiscal year to make loans under this subchapter.
(c) Availability Funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter shall remain available until expended.
§ 3471 Payments for land removed from production for conservation purposes; authorization of appropriations
(a) The Secretary of Agriculture may enter into contracts to provide financial assistance in the form of payments to owners and operators of cropland located in counties where the soil normally freezes to a depth of at least four inches annually who remove such land from agricultural production for a period not to exceed one year for the purpose of installing enduring conservation measures which involve excavation of the soil. The payments under such contracts shall be in such amounts as determined by the Secretary to be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter but shall not exceed an amount equal to the number of acres of cropland removed from agricultural production for such purpose multiplied by 50 per centum of the typical annual rent, as determined by the Secretary, paid for similar land in the county. Financial assistance may not be provided under this section with respect to any conservation measure without the approval of the soil and water conservation district board for the district in which the land is located, and may not, in the aggregate, be provided in any year with respect to more than one-half of 1 per centum of the cropland in any county.
(b) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, such sums to remain available until expended.
§ 3472 Conservation tillage; Congressional findings, etc.
(a) Congress finds that— domestic and international demand for agricultural products from the United States is great and is expected to significantly increase over the next twenty years; the ability of the United States to provide agricultural products to meet that demand is seriously impaired by the annual loss of five billion tons of soil due to wind and water erosion; the battle against soil erosion is being lost despite the annual expenditure of millions of dollars by the Federal Government on research, technical assistance, and conservation incentives to control soil erosion; conservation tillage practices are estimated to reduce soil erosion by 50 to 90 per centum over conventional farming practices; and conservation tillage may result in better yields, greater land use flexibility, decreased fuel use, decreased labor and equipment costs, increased retention of soil moisture, and more productive land than conventional farming practices and may be adaptable to a broad range of soil types and slopes throughout the country.
(b) It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should, and is hereby urged and requested to— direct the attention of our Nation’s farmers to the costs and benefits of conservation tillage as a means of controlling soil erosion and improving profitability; and conduct a program of research designed to resolve any unanswered questions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of conservation tillage over other soil conservation practices.
§ 3473 Regulations
The Secretary of Agriculture shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. ( Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1554 , Dec. 22, 1981 , 95 Stat. 1345 .)
§ 3474 Conservation incentives landowner education program
(a) In general Not later than 1 year after March 12, 2019 , the Secretary shall establish a conservation incentives landowner education program (referred to in this section as the “program”).
(b) Purpose of program The program shall provide information on Federal conservation programs available to landowners interested in undertaking conservation actions on the land of the landowners, including options under each conservation program available to achieve the conservation goals of the program, such as— fee title land acquisition; donation; and perpetual and term conservation easements or agreements.
(c) Availability The Secretary shall ensure that the information provided under the program is made available to— interested landowners; and the public.
(d) Notification In any case in which the Secretary contacts a landowner directly about participation in a Federal conservation program, the Secretary shall, in writing— notify the landowner of the program; and make available information on the conservation program options that may be available to the landowner.