View all text of Subchapter VIII [§ 3871 - § 3871f]
§ 3871f. Critical conservation areas
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Critical conservation area
(2) Priority resource concernThe term “priority resource concern” means a natural resource concern located in a critical conservation area that can be addressed through—
(A) water quality improvement, including through reducing erosion, promoting sediment control, and addressing nutrient management activities affecting large bodies of water of regional, national, or international significance;
(B) water quantity improvement, including improvement relating to—
(i) drought;
(ii) groundwater, surface water, aquifer, or other water sources; or
(iii) water retention and flood prevention;
(C) wildlife habitat restoration to address species of concern at a Federal, State, or local level; and
(D) other natural resource improvements, as determined by the Secretary, within the critical conservation area.
(b) Applications
(c) Critical conservation area designations
(1) In general
(2) PriorityIn designating critical conservation areas under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to geographical areas based on the degree to which the geographical area—
(A) includes multiple States with significant agricultural production;
(B) is covered by an existing regional, State, binational, or multistate agreement or plan that has established objectives, goals, and work plans and is adopted by a Federal, State, or regional authority;
(C) contains 1 or more priority resource concerns; or
(D) contains producers that need assistance in meeting or avoiding the need for a natural resource regulatory requirement that could have a negative impact on the economic scope of the agricultural operations within the area.
(3) Review and withdrawalThe Secretary may—
(A) review designations of critical conservation areas under this section not more frequently than once every 5 years; and
(B) withdraw designation of a critical conservation area only if the Secretary determines that the area is no longer a critical conservation area.
(4) Limitation
(d) Outreach to eligible partners and producers
(e) Administration
(1) In general
(2) Relationship to existing activity
(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1271F, as added Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2401, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 750; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2707, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4600.)