16 USC 3831 - Conservation reserve enhancement program

Collapse to view only § 3831a. Conservation reserve enhancement program

§ 3831. Conservation reserve
§ 3831a. Conservation reserve enhancement program
§ 3831b. Farmable wetland program
§ 3831c. Pilot programs
§ 3832. Duties of owners and operators
§ 3833. Duties of the Secretary
§ 3834. Payments
§ 3835. Contracts
§ 3835a. Repealed.

§ 3831. Conservation reserve

(a) In general

(b) Eligible landThe Secretary may include in the program established under this subpart—

(1) highly erodible cropland that—

(A)

(i) if permitted to remain untreated could substantially reduce the agricultural production capability for future generations; or

(ii) cannot be farmed in accordance with a plan that complies with the requirements of subchapter II; and

(B) the Secretary determines had a cropping history or was considered to be planted for 4 of the 6 years preceding December 20, 2018, on the condition that the Secretary shall consider to be planted cropland enrolled in the conservation reserve program;

(2) marginal pasture land to be devoted to appropriate vegetation, including trees, in or near riparian areas, or devoted to similar water quality purposes (including marginal pastureland converted to wetland or established as wildlife habitat);

(3) grasslands that—

(A) contain forbs or shrubland (including improved rangeland and pastureland) for which grazing is the predominant use;

(B) are located in an area historically dominated by grasslands; and

(C) could provide habitat for animal and plant populations of significant ecological value if the land is retained in its current use or restored to a natural condition;

(4) cropland, marginal pasture land, and grasslands that will have a positive impact on water quality and will be devoted to—

(A) a grass sod waterway;

(B) a contour grass sod strip;

(D) a filterstrip;

(E) a riparian buffer;

(F) a wetland or a wetland buffer;

(G) a saturated buffer;

(H) a bioreactor; or

(I) another similar water quality practice, as determined by the Secretary;

(5) cropland that is otherwise ineligible if the Secretary determines that—

(A) if permitted to remain in agricultural production, the land would—

(i) contribute to the degradation of soil, water, or air quality; or

(ii) pose an on-site or off-site environmental threat to soil, water, or air quality;

(B) the land is a—

(i) newly-created, permanent grass sod waterway; or

(ii) a contour grass sod strip established and maintained as part of an approved conservation plan;

(C) the land will be devoted to newly established living snow fences, permanent wildlife habitat, windbreaks, shelterbelts, salt tolerant vegetation, field borders, or practices to benefit State or federally identified wellhead protection areas;

(D) the land poses an off-farm environmental threat, or a threat of continued degradation of productivity due to soil salinity, if permitted to remain in production; or

(E) enrollment of the land would facilitate a net savings in groundwater or surface water resources of the agricultural operation of the producer;

(6) the portion of land in a field not enrolled in the conservation reserve in a case in which—

(A) more than 50 percent of the land in the field is enrolled as a buffer or filterstrip, or more than 75 percent of the land in the field is enrolled as a conservation practice other than as a buffer or filterstrip; and

(B) the remainder of the field is—

(i) infeasible to farm; and

(ii) enrolled at regular rental rates; or

(7) as determined by the Secretary, land—

(A) that was enrolled in the conservation reserve program under a 15-year contract that expired on September 30, 2017, or September 30, 2018;

(B) for which there was no opportunity for additional enrollment in that program; and

(d) Enrollment

(1) Maximum acreage enrolledThe Secretary may maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time during—

(A) fiscal year 2019, not more than 24,000,000 acres;

(B) fiscal year 2020, not more than 24,500,000 acres;

(D) fiscal year 2022, not more than 25,500,000 acres; and

(E) fiscal year 2023, not more than 27,000,000 acres.

(2) Grasslands

(A) LimitationFor purposes of applying the limitations in paragraph (1)—

(i) the Secretary shall enroll and maintain in the conservation reserve not fewer than 2,000,000 acres of the land described in subsection (b)(3) by September 30, 2023; and

(ii) in carrying out clause (i), to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time during—(I) fiscal year 2019, 1,000,000 acres;(II) fiscal year 2020, 1,500,000 acres; and(III) fiscal years 2021 through 2023, 2,000,000 acres.

(B) PriorityIn enrolling acres under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give priority to land, as determined by the Secretary—

(i) with expiring conservation reserve contracts;

(ii) at risk of conversion or development; or

(iii) of ecological significance, including land that—(I) may assist in the restoration of threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);(II) may assist in preventing a species from being listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or(III) improves or creates wildlife habitat corridors.

(i) In general

(ii) Timing of grassland ranking period

(D) Reservation of unenrolled acresIf the Secretary is unable in a fiscal year to enroll enough acres of land described in subsection (b)(3) to meet the number of acres described in clause (ii) or (iii) 1

1 So in original. There is no cl. (iii) of subpar. (A).

of subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year—

(i) the Secretary shall reserve the remaining number of acres for that fiscal year for the enrollment of land described in subsection (b)(3); and

(ii) that number of acres shall not be available for the enrollment of any other type of eligible land.

(3) Water quality practices to foster clean lakes, estuaries, and rivers (clear initiative)

(A) In general

(B) Sediment and nutrient loadings

(i) In general

(ii) Limitation

(D) ReportThe Secretary shall—

(i) in the monthly publication of the Secretary describing conservation reserve program statistics, include a description of enrollments through the priority under this paragraph; and

(ii) publish on the website of the Farm Service Agency an annual report describing a summary of, with respect to the enrollment priority under this paragraph—(I) new enrollments;(II) expirations;(III) geographic distribution; and(IV) estimated water quality benefits.

(4) State enrollment ratesAt the beginning of each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall allocate to the States proportionately 60 percent of the available number of acres each year for enrollment in the conservation reserve, in accordance with historical State enrollment rates, taking into consideration—

(A) the average number of acres of all land enrolled in the conservation reserve in each State during each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016;

(B) the average number of acres of all land enrolled in the conservation reserve nationally during each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016; and

(C) the acres available for enrollment during each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, excluding acres described in paragraph (2).

(5) Frequency

(6) Continuous enrollment procedure

(A) In generalTo the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall allow producers to submit applications on a continuous basis for enrollment in—

(i) the conservation reserve of—(I) marginal pasture land described in subsection (b)(2);(II) land described in subsection (b)(4); and(III) cropland described in subsection (b)(5); and

(ii) the conservation reserve enhancement program under section 3831a of this title.

(B) LimitationFor purposes of applying the limitations in paragraph (1)—

(i) the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enroll and maintain not fewer than 8,600,000 acres of land under subparagraph (A) by September 30, 2023; and

(ii) in carrying out clause (i), to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time during—(I) fiscal year 2019, 8,000,000 acres;(II) fiscal year 2020, 8,250,000 acres;(III) fiscal year 2021, 8,500,000 acres; and(IV) fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 8,600,000 acres.

(e) Duration of contract

(1) In general

(2) Special rule for certain land

(f) Conservation priority areas

(1) Designation

(2) Eligible areas

(3) Expiration

(4) Duty of Secretary

(g) Multi-year grasses and legumes

(1) In general

(2) Cropping history

(h) Eligibility for consideration

(1) In general

(2) Reenrollment limitation for certain land

(A) In general

(B) ExclusionsSubparagraph (A) shall not apply to—

(i) riparian forested buffers;

(ii) forested wetlands enrolled under subsection (d)(3) or the conservation reserve enhancement program under section 3831a of this title; and

(iii) shelterbelts.

(i) Balance of natural resource purposes

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1231, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 238; amended Pub. L. 109–148, div. B, title I, § 107(a), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2750; Pub. L. 109–234, title III, § 3022, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 478; Pub. L. 110–28, title IV, § 4101, May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 152; Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §§ 2101–2105, 2106(a)(2), (b)(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1028, 1029, 1031, 1032; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, §§ 2101–2105, 2106(a)(2), (b)(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1756, 1757, 1759, 1760; Pub. L. 112–240, title VII, § 701(c)(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2363; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2001, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 713; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2201, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4530.)

§ 3831a. Conservation reserve enhancement program

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) CREP

(2) Eligible land

(3) Eligible partnerThe term “eligible partner” means—

(A) a State;

(B) a political subdivision of a State;

(D) a nongovernmental organization.

(4) ManagementThe term “management” means an activity conducted by an owner or operator under a contract entered into under this subpart after the establishment of a conservation practice on eligible land, to regularly maintain or enhance the vegetative cover established by the conservation practice—

(A) throughout the term of the contract; and

(B) consistent with the conservation plan that covers the eligible land.

(b) Agreements

(1) In generalThe Secretary may enter into an agreement with an eligible partner to carry out a conservation reserve enhancement program—

(A) to assist in enrolling eligible land in the program established under this subpart; and

(B) that the Secretary determines will advance the purposes of this subpart.

(2) ContentsAn agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall—

(A) describe—

(i) 1 or more specific State or nationally significant conservation concerns to be addressed by the agreement;

(ii) quantifiable environmental goals for addressing the concerns under clause (i);

(iii) a suitable acreage goal for enrollment of eligible land under the agreement, as determined by the Secretary;

(iv) the location of eligible land to be enrolled in the project area identified under the agreement;

(v) the payments to be offered by the Secretary and eligible partner to an owner or operator; and

(vi) an appropriate list of conservation reserve program conservation practices that are appropriate to meeting the concerns described under clause (i), as determined by the Secretary in consultation with eligible partners;

(B) subject to subparagraph (C), require the eligible partner to provide matching funds—

(i) in an amount determined during a negotiation between the Secretary and 1 or more eligible partners, if the majority of the matching funds to carry out the agreement are provided by 1 or more eligible partners that are not nongovernmental organizations; or

(ii) in an amount not less than 30 percent of the cost required to carry out the conservation measures and practices described in the agreement, if a majority of the matching funds to carry out the agreement are provided by 1 or more nongovernmental organizations; and

(C) include procedures to allow for a temporary waiver of the matching requirements under subparagraph (B), or continued enrollment with a temporary suspension of incentives or eligible partner contributions for new agreements, during a period when an eligible partner loses the authority or ability to provide matching contributions, if the Secretary determines that the temporary waiver or continued enrollment with a temporary suspension will advance the purposes of this subpart.

(3) Effect on existing agreements

(A) In general

(B) Modification of existing agreements

(1) Matching requirement

(2) Marginal pastureland cost-share payments

(3) Cost-share and practice incentive payments

(A) In general

(B) Exemption

(4) Riparian buffer management payments

(A) In general

(B) Limitation

(d) Forested riparian buffer practice

(1) Food-producing woody plantsIn the case of an agreement under subsection (b)(1) that includes forested riparian buffers as an eligible practice, the Secretary shall allow an owner or operator—

(A) to plant food-producing woody plants in the forested riparian buffers, on the conditions that—

(i) the plants shall contribute to the conservation of soil, water quality, and wildlife habitat; and

(ii) the planting shall be consistent with—(I) recommendations of the applicable State technical committee established under section 3861(a) of this title; and(II) technical guide standards of the applicable field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and

(B) to harvest from plants described in subparagraph (A), on the conditions that—

(i) the harvesting shall not damage the conserving cover or otherwise have a negative impact on the conservation concerns targeted by the CREP;

(ii) only native plant species appropriate to the region shall be used within 35 feet of the watercourse; and

(iii) the producer shall be subject to a reduction in the rental rate commensurate to the value of the crop harvested.

(2) Technical assistance

(e) Drought and water conservation agreementsIn the case of an agreement under subsection (b)(1) to address regional drought concerns, in accordance with the conservation purposes of the CREP, the Secretary, in consultation with the applicable State technical committee established under section 3861(a) of this title, may—

(1) notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), enroll other agricultural land on which the resource concerns identified in the agreement can be addressed if the enrollment of the land is critical to the accomplishment of the purposes of the agreement;

(2) permit dryland agricultural uses with the adoption of best management practices on enrolled land if the agreement involves the significant long-term reduction of consumptive water use and dryland production is compatible with the agreement; and

(3) calculate annual rental payments consistent with existing administrative practice for similar drought and water conservation agreements under this subchapter and ensure regional consistency in those rates.

(f) Status reportNot later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes, with respect to each agreement entered into under subsection (b)(1)—

(1) the status of the agreement;

(2) the purposes and objectives of the agreement;

(3) the Federal and eligible partner commitments made under the agreement; and

(4) the progress made in fulfilling those commitments.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1231A, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2202(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4534.)

§ 3831b. Farmable wetland program

(a) Program required

(1) In general

(2) Participation among States

(b) Eligible acreage

(1) Wetland and related landSubject to subsections (c) and (d), an owner or operator may enroll in the conservation reserve, pursuant to the program established under this section, land—

(A) that is wetland (including a converted wetland described in section 3822(b)(1)(A) of this title) that had a cropping history during at least 3 of the immediately preceding 10 crop years;

(B) on which a constructed wetland is to be developed that will receive surface and subsurface flow from row crop agricultural production and is designed to provide nitrogen removal in addition to other wetland functions;

(C) that was devoted to commercial pond-raised aquaculture in any year during the period of calendar years 2002 through 2007; or

(D) that, after January 1, 1990, and before December 31, 2002, was—

(i) cropped during at least 3 of 10 crop years; and

(ii) subject to the natural overflow of a prairie wetland.

(2) Buffer acreageSubject to subsections (c) and (d), an owner or operator may enroll in the conservation reserve, pursuant to the program established under this section, buffer acreage that—

(A) with respect to land described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1)—

(i) is contiguous to such land;

(ii) is used to protect such land; and

(iii) is of such width as the Secretary determines is necessary to protect such land, taking into consideration and accommodating the farming practices (including the straightening of boundaries to accommodate machinery) used with respect to the cropland that surrounds such land; and

(B) with respect to land described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1), enhances a wildlife benefit to the extent practicable in terms of upland to wetland ratios, as determined by the Secretary.

(1) Acreage limitationThe Secretary may enroll in the conservation reserve, pursuant to the program established under this section, not more than—

(A) 100,000 acres in any State; and

(B) a total of 750,000 acres.

(2) Relationship to maximum enrollment

(3) Relationship to other enrolled acreageAcreage enrolled in the conservation reserve under this section shall not affect for any fiscal year the quantity of—

(A) acreage enrolled to establish conservation buffers as part of the program announced on March 24, 1998 (63 Fed. Reg. 14109); or

(B) acreage enrolled into the conservation reserve enhancement program announced on May 27, 1998 (63 Fed. Reg. 28965).

(4) Review; potential increase in enrollment acreage

(d) Owner or operator enrollment limitations

(1) Wetland and related land

(A) Wetlands and constructed wetlands

(B) Flooded farmland

(2) Buffer acreage

(3) Tracts

(e) Duties of owners and operatorsDuring the term of a contract entered into under the program established under this section, an owner or operator shall agree—

(1) to restore the hydrology of the wetland within the eligible acreage to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary;

(2) to establish vegetative cover (which may include emerging vegetation in water and bottomland hardwoods, cypress, and other appropriate tree species) on the eligible acreage, as determined by the Secretary;

(3) to a general prohibition of commercial use of the enrolled land; and

(4) to carry out other duties described in section 3832 of this title.

(f) Duties of the Secretary

(1) In generalExcept as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), in return for a contract entered into under this section, the Secretary shall—

(A) make payments to the owner or operator based on rental rates for cropland; and

(B) provide assistance to the owner or operator in accordance with sections 3833 and 3834 of this title.

(2) Contract offers and payments

(3) Incentives

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1231B, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2106(a)(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1029, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, § 2106(a)(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1757; amended Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2002, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §§ 2203, 2821(c), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4538, 4603.)

§ 3831c. Pilot programs

(a) CLEAR 30

(1) In general

(A) Enrollment

(B) Inclusion of acreage limitation

(2) Expired conservation contract election

(A) Definition of covered contractIn this paragraph, the term “covered contract” means a contract entered into under this subpart that—

(i) expires on or after December 20, 2018; and

(ii) covers land enrolled in the conservation reserve program under the clean lakes, estuaries, and rivers priority described in section 3831(d)(3) of this title (or the predecessor practices that constitute the priority, as determined by the Secretary).

(B) ElectionOn the expiration of a covered contract, an owner or operator party to the covered contract shall elect—

(i) not to reenroll the land under the contract;

(ii) to offer to reenroll the land under the contract if the land remains eligible under the terms in effect as of the date of expiration; or

(iii) not to reenroll the land under the contract and to enroll that land through a CLEAR 30 contract under this subsection.

(3) Eligible land

(4) Term

(5) AgreementsTo be eligible to enroll land in the conservation reserve program through a CLEAR 30 contract, the owner of the land shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary—

(A) to implement a conservation reserve plan developed for the land;

(B) to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract and any related agreements; and

(6) Terms and conditions of CLEAR 30 contracts

(A) In generalA CLEAR 30 contract shall include terms and conditions that—

(i) permit—(I) repairs, improvements, and inspections on the land that are necessary to maintain existing public drainage systems; and(II) owners to control public access on the land while identifying access routes to be used for restoration activities and management and contract monitoring;

(ii) prohibit—(I) the alteration of wildlife habitat and other natural features of the land, unless specifically authorized by the Secretary as part of the conservation reserve plan;(II) the spraying of the land with chemicals or the mowing of the land, except where the spraying or mowing is authorized by the Secretary or is necessary—(aa) to comply with Federal or State noxious weed control laws;(bb) to comply with a Federal or State emergency pest treatment program; or(cc) to meet habitat needs of specific wildlife species;(III) any activity to be carried out on the land of the owner or successor that is immediately adjacent to, and functionally related to, the land that is subject to the contract if the activity will alter, degrade, or otherwise diminish the functional value of the land; and(IV) the adoption of any other practice that would tend to defeat the purposes of the conservation reserve program, as determined by the Secretary; and

(iii) include any additional provision that the Secretary determines is appropriate to carry out this section or facilitate the practical administration of this section.

(B) Violation

(C) Compatible usesLand subject to a CLEAR 30 contract may be used for compatible economic uses, including hunting and fishing, managed timber harvest, or periodic haying or grazing, if the use—

(i) is specifically permitted by the conservation reserve plan developed for the land; and

(ii) is consistent with the long-term protection and enhancement of the conservation resources for which the contract was established.

(7) Compensation

(A) Amount of payments

(B) Form of payment

(D) Payments to othersThe Secretary shall make a payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, in a manner as the Secretary determines is fair and reasonable under the circumstances, if an owner who is entitled to a payment under this section—

(i) dies;

(ii) becomes incompetent;

(iii) is succeeded by another person or entity who renders or completes the required performance; or

(iv) is otherwise unable to receive the payment.

(8) Technical assistance

(A) In general

(B) Contracts or agreements

(9) Administration

(A) Conservation reserve plan

(B) Delegation of contract administration

(i) Federal, State, or local government agencies

(ii) Conservation organizations

(b) Soil health and income protection pilot program

(1) Definition of eligible landIn this subsection:

(A) In generalThe term “eligible land” means cropland that—

(i) is selected by the owner or operator of the land for proposed enrollment in the pilot program under this subsection; and

(ii) as determined by the Secretary—(I) is located within 1 or more States that are part of the prairie pothole region, as selected by the Secretary based on consultation with State Committees of the Farm Service Agency and State technical committees established under section 3861(a) of this title from that region;(II) had a cropping history or was considered to be planted during each of the 3 crop years preceding enrollment; and(III) is verified to be less-productive land, as compared to other land on the applicable farm.

(B) Exclusion

(2) Establishment

(A) In general

(B) Deadline for participation

(3) Contracts

(A) RequirementsA contract described in paragraph (2) shall—

(i) be entered into by the Secretary, the owner of the eligible land, and (if applicable) the operator of the eligible land; and

(ii) provide that, during the term of the contract—(I) the lowest practicable cost perennial conserving use cover crop for the eligible land, as determined by the applicable State conservationist after considering the advice of the applicable State technical committee, shall be planted on the eligible land;(II) except as provided in subparagraph (E), the owner or operator of the eligible land shall pay the cost of planting the conserving use cover crop under subclause (I);(III) subject to subparagraph (F), the eligible land may be harvested for seed, hayed, or grazed outside the primary nesting season established for the applicable county;(IV) the eligible land may be eligible for a walk-in access program of the applicable State, if any; and(V) a nonprofit wildlife organization may provide to the owner or operator of the eligible land a payment in exchange for an agreement by the owner or operator not to harvest the conserving use cover.

(B) Payments

(D) Term

(i) In general

(ii) Early termination(I) Secretary(II) Owners and operators

(E) Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmers and ranchersWith respect to a beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmer or rancher, as determined by the Secretary—

(i) a contract described in paragraph (2) shall provide that, during the term of the contract, of the actual cost of establishment of the conserving use cover crop under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I)—(I) using the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall pay 50 percent; and(II) the beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmer or rancher shall pay 50 percent; and

(ii) the annual rental rate for a payment under a contract described in paragraph (2) shall be equal to 75 percent of the average rental rate for the applicable county under section 3834(d) of this title, as determined by the Secretary.

(F) Harvesting, haying, and grazing outside applicable periodThe harvesting for seed, haying, or grazing of eligible land under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) outside of the primary nesting season established for the applicable county shall be subject to the conditions that—

(i) with respect to eligible land that is so hayed or grazed, adequate stubble height shall be maintained to protect the soil on the eligible land, as determined by the applicable State conservationist after considering the advice of the applicable State technical committee; and

(ii) with respect to eligible land that is so harvested for seed—(I) the eligible land shall not be eligible to be insured or reinsured under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and(II) the rental payment otherwise applicable to the eligible land under this subsection shall be reduced by 25 percent.

(4) Acreage limitation

(5) ReportThe Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report describing the eligible land enrolled in the pilot program under this subsection, including—

(A) the estimated conservation value of the land; and

(B) estimated savings from reduced commodity payments, crop insurance indemnities, and crop insurance premium subsidies.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1231C, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2204, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4538.)

§ 3832. Duties of owners and operators

(a) In generalUnder the terms of a contract entered into under this subpart, during the term of the contract, an owner or operator of a farm or ranch shall agree—

(1) to implement a plan approved by the local conservation district (or in an area not located within a conservation district, a plan approved by the Secretary) for converting eligible land normally devoted to the production of an agricultural commodity on the farm or ranch to a less intensive use (as defined by the Secretary), such as pasture, permanent grass, legumes, forbs, shrubs, or trees, substantially in accordance with a schedule outlined in the plan;

(2) to place highly erodible cropland subject to the contract in the conservation reserve established under this subpart;

(3) not to use the land for agricultural purposes, except as permitted by the Secretary;

(4) to establish approved vegetative cover (which may include emerging vegetation in water), water cover for the enhancement of wildlife, or, where practicable, maintain existing cover on the land, except that—

(A) the water cover shall not include ponds for the purpose of watering livestock, irrigating crops, or raising fish for commercial purposes; and

(B) the Secretary shall not terminate the contract for failure to establish approved vegetative or water cover on the land if—

(i) the failure to plant the cover was due to excessive rainfall or flooding;

(ii) the land subject to the contract that could practicably be planted to the cover is planted to the cover; and

(iii) the land on which the owner or operator was unable to plant the cover is planted to the cover after the wet conditions that prevented the planting subsides;

(5) to undertake management on the land as needed throughout the term of the contract to implement the conservation plan;

(6) on a violation of a term or condition of the contract at any time the owner or operator has control of the land—

(A) to forfeit all rights to receive rental payments and cost sharing payments under the contract and to refund to the Secretary any rental payments and cost sharing payments received by the owner or operator under the contract, together with interest on the payments as determined by the Secretary, if the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of the soil conservation district and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, determines that the violation is of such nature as to warrant termination of the contract; or

(B) to refund to the Secretary, or accept adjustments to, the rental payments and cost sharing payments provided to the owner or operator, as the Secretary considers appropriate, if the Secretary determines that the violation does not warrant termination of the contract;

(7) on the transfer of the right and interest of the owner or operator in land subject to the contract—

(A) to forfeit all rights to rental payments and cost sharing payments under the contract; and

(B) to refund to the United States all rental payments and cost sharing payments received by the owner or operator, or accept such payment adjustments or make such refunds as the Secretary considers appropriate and consistent with the objectives of this subpart;

unless the transferee of the land agrees with the Secretary to assume all obligations of the contract, except that no refund of rental payments and cost sharing payments shall be required if the land is purchased by or for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the transferee and the Secretary agree to modifications to the contract, in a case in which the modifications are consistent with the objectives of the program, as determined by the Secretary;

(8) not to conduct any harvesting or grazing, nor otherwise make commercial use of the forage, on land that is subject to the contract, nor adopt any similar practice specified in the contract by the Secretary as a practice that would tend to defeat the purposes of the contract, except as provided in subsection (b) or (c) of section 3833 of this title;

(9) not to conduct any planting of trees on land that is subject to the contract unless the contract specifies that the harvesting and commercial sale of trees such as Christmas trees are prohibited, nor otherwise make commercial use of trees on land that is subject to the contract unless it is expressly permitted in the contract, nor adopt any similar practice specified in the contract by the Secretary as a practice that would tend to defeat the purposes of the contract, except that no contract shall prohibit activities consistent with customary forestry practice, such as pruning, thinning, or stand improvement of trees, on land converted to forestry use;

(10) on land devoted to hardwood or other trees, excluding windbreaks and shelterbelts, to carry out proper thinning and other practices—

(A) to enhance the conservation benefits and wildlife habitat resources addressed by the conservation practice under which the land is enrolled; and

(B) to promote forest management;

(11) not to adopt any practice specified by the Secretary in the contract as a practice that would tend to defeat the purposes of this subpart; and

(12) to comply with such additional provisions as the Secretary determines are desirable and are included in the contract to carry out this subpart or to facilitate the practical administration of this subpart.

(b) Conservation plansThe plan referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall set forth—

(1) the conservation measures and practices to be carried out by the owner or operator during the term of the contract; and

(2) the commercial use, if any, to be permitted on the land during the term.

(1) In general

(2) Resumption of control

(A) In general

(B) Contract

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1232, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 242; amended Pub. L. 108–7, div. N, title II, § 212, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 545; Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §§ 2107, 2108, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1032, 1033; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, §§ 2107, 2108, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1760, 1761; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2003, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 715; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2205, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4543.)

§ 3833. Duties of the Secretary

(a) Cost-share and rental paymentsIn return for a contract entered into by an owner or operator under the conservation reserve program, the Secretary shall—

(1) share the cost of carrying out the conservation measures and practices set forth in the contract for which the Secretary determines that cost sharing is appropriate and in the public interest, including the cost of fencing and other water distribution practices, if applicable; and

(2) for a period of years not in excess of the term of the contract, pay an annual rental payment, in accordance with section 3834(d) of this title, for—

(A) the conversion of highly erodible cropland, marginal pastureland, or other eligible lands normally devoted to the production of an agricultural commodity on a farm or ranch to a less intensive use; or

(B) the development and management of grasslands for multiple natural resource conservation benefits, including to soil, water, air, and wildlife.

(b) Specified activities permitted

(1) In generalThe Secretary, in coordination with the applicable State technical committee established under section 3861(a) of this title, shall permit certain activities or commercial uses of established cover on land that is subject to a contract under the conservation reserve program if—

(A) those activities or uses—

(i) are consistent with the conservation of soil, water quality, and wildlife habitat;

(ii) are subject to appropriate restrictions during the primary nesting season for birds in the local area that are economically significant, in significant decline, or conserved in accordance with Federal or State law;

(iii) contribute to the health and vigor of the established cover; and

(iv) are consistent with a site-specific plan, including vegetative management requirements, stocking rates, and frequency and duration of activity, taking into consideration regional differences, such as climate, soil type, and natural resources; and

(B) the Secretary, in coordination with the State technical committee, includes contract modifications—

(i) without any reduction in the rental rate for—(I) emergency haying, emergency grazing, or other emergency use of the forage in response to a localized or regional drought, flooding, wildfire, or other emergency, on all practices, outside the primary nesting season, when—(aa) the county is designated as D2 (severe drought) or greater according to the United States Drought Monitor;(bb) there is at least a 40 percent loss in forage production in the county; or(cc) the Secretary, in coordination with the State technical committee, determines that the program can assist in the response to a natural disaster event without permanent damage to the established cover;(II) emergency grazing on all practices during the primary nesting season if payments are authorized for a county under the livestock forage disaster program under clause (ii) of section 9081(c)(3)(D) of title 7, at 50 percent of the normal carrying capacity determined under clause (i) of that section, adjusted to the site-specific plan;(III) emergency haying on certain practices, outside the primary nesting season, if payments are authorized for a county under the livestock forage disaster program under clause (ii) of section 9081(c)(3)(D) of title 7, on not more than 50 percent of contract acres, as identified in the site-specific plan;(IV) grazing of all practices, outside the primary nesting season, if included as a mid-contract management practice under section 3832(a)(5) of this title;(V) the intermittent and seasonal use of vegetative buffer established under paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 3831(b) of this title that are incidental to agricultural production on land adjacent to the buffer such that the permitted use—(aa) does not destroy the permanent vegetative cover; and(bb) retains suitable vegetative structure for wildlife cover and shelter outside the primary nesting season; or(VI) grazing on all practices, outside the primary nesting season, if conducted by a beginning farmer or rancher; or

(ii) with a 25 percent reduction in the annual rental rate for the acres covered by the authorized activity, including—(I) grazing not more frequently than every other year on the same land, except that during the primary nesting season, grazing shall be subject to a 50 percent reduction in the stocking rate specified in the site-specific plan;(II) grazing of all practices during the primary nesting season, with a 50 percent reduction in the stocking rate specified in the site-specific plan;(III) haying and other commercial use (including the managed harvesting of biomass and excluding the harvesting of vegetative cover), on the condition that the activity—(aa) is completed outside the primary nesting season;(bb) occurs not more than once every 3 years; and(cc) maintains 25 percent of the total contract acres unharvested, in accordance with a site-specific plan that provides for wildlife cover and shelter;(IV) annual grazing outside the primary nesting season if consistent with a site-specific plan that is authorized for the control of invasive species; and(V) the installation of wind turbines and associated access, except that in permitting the installation of wind turbines, the Secretary shall determine the number and location of wind turbines that may be installed, taking into account—(aa) the location, size, and other physical characteristics of the land;(bb) the extent to which the land contains threatened or endangered wildlife and wildlife habitat; and(cc) the purposes of the conservation reserve program under this subpart.

(2) Conditions on haying and grazing

(A) In general

(B) Exceptions

(i) Damage to vegetative cover

(ii) Special agreements(I) In generalExcept as provided in subclause (II), haying or grazing described in paragraph (1) shall not be permitted on—(aa) land covered by a contract enrolled under the State acres for wildlife enhancement program established by the Secretary; or(bb) land covered by a contract enrolled under a conservation reserve enhancement program established under section 3831a of this title or the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program established by the Secretary under this subpart.(II) Exception

(c) Authorized activities on grasslandsFor eligible land described in section 3831(b)(3) of this title, the Secretary shall permit the following activities:

(1) Common grazing practices, including maintenance and necessary cultural practices, on the land in a manner that is consistent with maintaining the viability of grassland, forb, and shrub species appropriate to that locality.

(2) Haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production, subject to appropriate restrictions during the nesting season for birds in the local area that are economically significant, in significant decline, or conserved in accordance with Federal or State law, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the State technical committee.

(3) Fire presuppression, fire-related rehabilitation, and construction of fire breaks.

(4) Grazing-related activities, such as fencing and livestock watering.

(d) Resource conserving use

(1) In general

(2) Conservation plan

(3) Re-enrollment prohibited

(4) Payment reduction

(e) Natural disaster or adverse weather as mid-contract management

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1233, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 245; amended Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2004, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 715; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2206, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4543.)

§ 3834. Payments

(a) TimingThe Secretary shall provide payment for obligations incurred by the Secretary under a contract entered into under this subpart—

(1) with respect to any cost-sharing payment obligation incurred by the Secretary, as soon as practicable after the obligation is incurred; and

(2) with respect to any annual rental payment obligation incurred by the Secretary—

(A) as soon as practicable after October 1 of each calendar year; or

(B) at the option of the Secretary, at any time prior to such date during the year that the obligation is incurred.

(b) Cost sharing payments

(1) In general

(2) Limitations

(A) In general

(B) Mid-contract management grazing

(3) Other Federal cost share assistance

(4) Practice incentives for continuous practices

(1) In general

(2) Limitation

(d) Annual rental payments

(1) In generalIn determining the amount of annual rental payments to be paid to owners and operators for converting highly erodible cropland or other eligible lands normally devoted to the production of an agricultural commodity to less intensive use, the Secretary shall consider—

(A) the amount necessary to encourage owners or operators of highly erodible cropland or other eligible lands to participate in the program established by this subpart;

(B) the impact on the local farmland rental market; and

(2) Methods of determination

(A) In general

(B) Multiple enrollments

(i) In general

(ii) Conservation reserve enhancement program

(D) Continuous sign-up incentives

(3) Acceptance of contract offers

(A) Evaluation of offers

(B) Establishment of different criteria in various States and regions

(4) Rental rates

(A) Annual estimates

(B) Public availability of estimates

(D) Submission of additional information by State FSA offices and CREP partners

(i) In general

(ii) Acceptable documentationDocumentation referred to in clause (i) includes—(I) an average of cash rents from a random sample of lease agreements;(II) cash rent estimates from a published survey;(III) neighboring county estimate comparisons from the National Agricultural Statistics Service;(IV) an average of cash rents from Farm Service Agency farm business plans;(V) models that estimate cash rents, such as models that use returns to estimate crop production or land value data; or(VI) other documentation, as determined by the Secretary.

(iii) Notification

(E) Rental rate limitationNotwithstanding forest management incentive payments described in subsection (c), the county average soil rental rate (before any adjustments relating to specific practices, wellhead protection, or soil productivity) shall not exceed—

(i) 85 percent of the estimated rental rate determined under this paragraph for general enrollment; or

(ii) 90 percent of the estimated rental rate determined under this paragraph for continuous enrollment.

(e) Payment schedule

(1) In general

(2) Advance payment

(f) Payments on death, disability, or succession

(g) Payment limitation for rental payments

(1) In general

(2) Wellhead protection

(h) Other State or local assistance

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1234, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 245; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §§ 2109, 2110(a), (b)(1), (c), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1034, 1035; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, §§ 2109, 2110(a), (b)(1), (c), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1762, 1763; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2005, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 718; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2207, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4546.)

§ 3835. Contracts

(a) Ownership or operation requirements

(1) In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), no contract shall be entered into under this subpart concerning land with respect to which the ownership has changed in the 1-year period preceding the first year of the contract period unless—

(A) the new ownership was acquired by will or succession as a result of the death of the previous owner;

(B) the new ownership was acquired before January 1, 1985;

(C) the Secretary determines that the land was acquired under circumstances that give adequate assurance that the land was not acquired for the purpose of placing the land in the program established by this subpart; or

(D) the ownership change occurred due to foreclosure on the land and the owner of the land immediately before the foreclosure exercises a right of redemption from the mortgage holder in accordance with State law.

(2) ExceptionsParagraph (1) shall not—

(A) prohibit the continuation of an agreement by a new owner after an agreement has been entered into under this subpart; or

(B) require a person to own the land as a condition of eligibility for entering into the contract if the person—

(i) has operated the land to be covered by a contract under this section for at least 1 year preceding the date of the contract or since January 1, 1985, whichever is later; and

(ii) controls the land for the contract period.

(b) Sales or transfersIf, during the term of a contract entered into under this subpart, an owner or operator of land subject to the contract sells or otherwise transfers the ownership or right of occupancy of the land, the new owner or operator of the land may—

(1) continue the contract under the same terms or conditions;

(2) enter into a new contract in accordance with this subpart; or

(3) elect not to participate in the program established by this subpart.

(1) In generalThe Secretary may modify a contract entered into with an owner or operator under this subpart if—

(A) the owner or operator agrees to the modification; and

(B) the Secretary determines that the modification is desirable—

(i) to carry out this subpart;

(ii) to facilitate the practical administration of this subpart;

(iii) to facilitate a transition of land subject to the contract from a retired or retiring owner or operator to a beginning farmer or rancher or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher for the purpose of returning some or all of the land into production using sustainable grazing or crop production methods; or

(iv) to achieve such other goals as the Secretary determines are appropriate, consistent with this subpart.

(2) Production of agricultural commodities

(d) Termination

(1) In generalThe Secretary may terminate a contract entered into with an owner or operator under this subpart if—

(A) the owner or operator agrees to the termination; and

(B) the Secretary determines that the termination would be in the public interest.

(2) Notice to congressional committees

(e) Early termination by owner or operator

(1) Early termination

(A) In general

(B) Liability for contract violation

(2) Certain land exceptedThe following land shall not be subject to an early termination of contract under this subsection:

(A) Filterstrips, waterways, strips adjacent to riparian areas, windbreaks, and shelterbelts.

(B) Land with an erodibility index of more than 15.

(D) Wildlife habitat, duck nesting habitat, pollinator habitat, upland bird habitat buffer, wildlife food plots, State acres for wildlife enhancement, shallow water areas for wildlife, and rare and declining habitat.

(E) Farmable wetland and restored wetland.

(F) Land that contains diversions, erosion control structures, flood control structures, contour grass strips, living snow fences, salinity reducing vegetation, cross wind trap strips, and sediment retention structures.

(G) Land located within a federally designated wellhead protection area.

(H) Land that is covered by an easement under the conservation reserve program.

(I) Land located within an average width, according to the applicable Natural Resources Conservation Service field office technical guide, of a perennial stream or permanent water body.

(J) Land enrolled under the conservation reserve enhancement program.

(3) Effective date

(4) Prorated rental payment

(5) Renewed enrollment

(6) Conservation requirements

(f) Transition option for certain farmers or ranchers

(1) Transition to covered farmer or rancherIn the case of a contract modification approved in order to facilitate the transfer of land subject to a contract from a contract holder to a beginning farmer or rancher, a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2279(e) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of title 7), or a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (in this subsection referred to as a “covered farmer or rancher”), the Secretary shall—

beginning on the date that is 2 years before the date of termination of the contract—

(i) allow the covered farmer or rancher, in conjunction with the contract holder, to make conservation and land improvements, including preparing to plant an agricultural crop; and

(ii) allow the covered farmer or rancher to begin the certification process under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.);

(B) beginning on the date of termination of the contract, require the contract holder to sell or lease (under a long-term lease or a lease with an option to purchase, including a lease with a term of less than 5 years and an option to purchase) to the covered farmer or rancher the land subject to the contract for production purposes;

(D) provide to the covered farmer or rancher an opportunity to enroll in the conservation stewardship program or the environmental quality incentives program by not later than the date on which the covered farmer or rancher takes possession of the land through ownership or lease;

(E) give priority to the enrollment of the land covered by the contract in—

(i) the environmental quality incentives program established under subpart A of part IV;

(ii) the conservation stewardship program established under subpart B of part IV; or

(iii) the agricultural conservation easement program established under subchapter VII; and

(F) continue to make annual payments to the contract holder for not more than an additional 2 years after the date of termination of the contract, if the contract holder is not a family member (as defined in section 1308 of title 7) of the covered farmer or rancher.

(2) ReenrollmentTo the extent that the maximum number of acres permitted to be enrolled under the conservation reserve program has not been met, the Secretary shall provide a covered farmer or rancher with the option to reenroll any applicable partial field conservation practice that—

(A)

(i) is carried out on land described in paragraph (4) or (5) of section 3831(b) of this title; and

(ii) is eligible for continuous enrollment under section 3831(d)(6) of this title; and

(B) is part of an approved conservation plan.

(g) End of contract considerationsThe Secretary shall not consider an owner or operator to be in violation of a term or condition of the conservation reserve contract if—

(1) during the year prior to expiration of the contract, the owner or operator—

(A)

(i) enters into a contract under the environmental quality incentives program established under subpart A of part IV; and

(ii) begins the establishment of a practice under that contract; or

(B)

(i) enters into a contract under the conservation stewardship program established under subpart B of part IV; and

(ii) begins the establishment of a practice under that contract; or

(2) during the 3 years prior to the expiration of the contract, the owner or operator begins the certification process under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).

(h) Land enrolled in agricultural conservation easement program

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1235, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 249; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2111, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1035; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, § 2111, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1763; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2006, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 719; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2208, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4549.)

§ 3835a. Repealed. Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2007, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 720