[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73912-73934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29513]



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Part IV





Department of Agriculture





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Commodity Credit Corporation



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7 CFR Part 1415



Grassland Reserve Program; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 75 , No. 228 / Monday, November 29, 2010 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Part 1415

RIN 0578-AA53


Grassland Reserve Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Commodity 
Credit Corporation (CCC) published in the Federal Register on January 
21, 2009, an interim final rule for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) 
with a 60-day public comment period. On August 21, 2009, the CCC 
published an amendment to the interim final rule and reopened the 
public comment period for an additional 60 days. The CCC is publishing 
a final rule that incorporates the changes associated with passage of 
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) and addresses 
the comments received during the public comment periods.

DATES: Effective Date: The rule is effective November 29, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Deavers, Team Leader, Easement 
Support Team, Easement Programs Division, Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room 6819 South Building, Washington, DC 20250; Telephone: (202) 720-
0907; Fax: (202) 720-9689.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communicating (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Certifications

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewed the January 21, 
2009, interim final rule and determined that it was a significant 
regulatory action. Pursuant to Executive Order 12866, USDA conducted an 
economic analysis of the potential impacts associated with this 
program. OMB also determined that this final rule is a significant 
regulatory action. USDA evaluated the economic analysis and expanded it 
to include net present value analyses using OMB's recommended 3 percent 
and 7 percent discount rates. In addition, policy scenario three was 
dropped from the analysis because it was very similar to one of the 
other policy options.
    The administrative record is available for public inspection at the 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6819 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250. A summary of the economic analysis can be found at the end of 
the regulatory certifications of the preamble, and a copy of the 
analysis is available upon request from Leslie Deavers, Team Leader, 
Easement Support Team, Easement Programs Division, Department of 
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 6819 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act is not applicable to this final rule 
because USDA is not required by 5 U.S.C. 553, or by any other provision 
of law, to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the 
subject matter of this rule.

Environmental Analysis

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a 
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared in association 
with the interim final rule. The analysis determined there will not be 
a significant impact to the human environment and as a result, an 
Environmental Impact Statement was not required to be prepared (40 CFR 
1508.13). For this final rule, the agency has determined that there are 
no new circumstances or significant new information that has a bearing 
on environmental effects which warrant supplementing the previous EA 
and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The proposed changes 
identified in this final rule are considered minor changes that should 
be implemented for the program. The majority of these changes are 
administrative or technical changes to the regulation.
    Copies of the EA and FONSI may be obtained from Matt Harrington, 
National Environmental Coordinator, Ecological Sciences Division, 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6151 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250. The EA and FONSI are also available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/Env_Assess/.

Civil Rights Impact Analysis

    USDA has determined through a Civil Rights Impact Analysis that 
this final rule discloses no disproportionately adverse impacts for 
minorities, women, or persons with disabilities. Outreach and 
communication strategies are in place to ensure all producers will be 
provided the same information to allow them to make informed compliance 
decisions regarding the use of their lands that will affect their 
participation in USDA programs. GRP applies to all persons equally 
regardless of their race, color, national origin, gender, sex, or 
disability status. Therefore, this final rule portends no adverse civil 
rights implications for women, minorities, and persons with 
disabilities.
    Copies of the Civil Rights Impact Analysis are available from 
Leslie Deavers, Team Leader, Easement Support Team, Easement Programs 
Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6819 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250, or electronically at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/GRP.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Section 2904 of the 2008 Act (Pub. L. 110-245), requires that 
implementation of programs authorized under Title II of the Act be made 
without regard to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Title 44, U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.). Therefore, USDA is not reporting recordkeeping or 
estimated paperwork burden associated with this final rule.

Government Paperwork Elimination Act

    USDA is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act and the Freedom to E-File Act, which require government 
agencies, in general, to provide the public the option of submitting 
information or transacting business electronically to the maximum 
extent possible. To better accommodate public access, USDA has 
developed an online application and information system for public use.

Executive Order 12988

    This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive 
Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. The rule is not retroactive and 
preempts State and local laws to the extent that such laws are 
inconsistent with this rule. Before an action may be brought in a 
Federal court of competent jurisdiction, the administrative appeal 
rights afforded persons at 7 CFR parts 11, 614, and 780 must be 
exhausted.

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Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994

    Pursuant to section 304 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 
1994 (Pub. L. 103-354), USDA classified this rule as non-major. 
Therefore, a risk analysis was not conducted.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    USDA assessed the effects of this final rule on State, local, and 
Tribal governments, and the public. This action does not compel the 
expenditure of $100 million or more in any one year (adjusted by 
inflation) by any State, local, or Tribal governments, or anyone in the 
private sector; therefore, a statement under section 202 of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 is not required.

Executive Order 13132

    This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with the 
requirements of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. USDA has determined 
that this final rule conforms with the Federalism principles set forth 
in the Executive Order; would not impose any compliance costs on the 
States; and would not have substantial direct effects on the States, on 
the relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities on the various levels of 
government. Therefore, USDA concludes that this final rule does not 
have Federalism implications.

Executive Order 13175

    This final rule has been reviewed in accordance with the 
requirements of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments. USDA has assessed the impact of this 
final rule on Indian Tribal governments and concluded that this final 
rule will not negatively affect Indian Tribal governments or their 
communities. The rule neither imposes substantial direct compliance 
costs on Tribal governments nor preempts Tribal law. However, the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to undertake a 
series of at least six regional Tribal consultation sessions before 
December 30, 2010, on the impact of USDA conservation programs and 
services on Tribal governments and their members to establish a 
baseline of consultation for future actions. Reports from these 
sessions will be made part of the USDA annual reporting on Tribal 
Consultation and Collaboration. USDA will respond in a timely and 
meaningful manner to all Tribal governments' requests for consultation.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This final rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA). This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy 
of $100 million or more, a major increase in costs or prices, or 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, 
productivity, innovation, or the ability of United States based 
companies to compete in domestic and export markets. However, section 
2904(c) of the 2008 Act requires that the Secretary use the authority 
in section 808(2) of Title 5, U.S.C., which allows an agency to forego 
SBREFA's usual congressional 60-day review delay of the effective date 
of a regulation if the agency finds that there is a good cause to do 
so. USDA hereby determines that it has good cause to do so to meet the 
congressional intent to have the conservation programs authorized or 
amended by Title II of the 2008 Act in effect as soon as possible. 
Accordingly, this rule is effective upon filing for public inspection 
by the Office of the Federal Register.

Section 2708 of the 2008 Act

    Section 2708, ``Compliance and Performance,'' of the 2008 Act added 
a paragraph to section 1244(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985, as 
amended entitled, ``Administrative Requirements for Conservation 
Programs,'' which states the following:

    (g) Compliance and performance.--For each conservation program 
under Subtitle D, the Secretary shall develop procedures--

    (1) To monitor compliance with program requirements;
    (2) To measure program performance;
    (3) To demonstrate whether long-term conservation benefits of 
the program are being achieved;
    (4) To track participation by crop and livestock type; and
    (5) To coordinate activities described in this subsection with 
the national conservation program authorized under section 5 of the 
Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2004).

    This new provision presents in one place the accountability 
requirements placed on the agency as it implements conservation 
programs and reports on program results. The requirements apply to all 
programs under Subtitle D, including the Wetlands Reserve Program, 
Conservation Security Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Farm 
and Ranch Lands Protection Program, Grassland Reserve Program, 
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (including the Agricultural 
Water Enhancement Program), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, and the 
Chesapeake Bay Watershed initiative. These requirements are not 
directly incorporated into these regulations, which set out 
requirements for program participants. However, certain provisions 
within these regulations relate to elements of section 1244(g) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985, as amended and the agency's accountability 
responsibilities regarding program performance. NRCS is taking this 
opportunity to describe existing procedures that relate to meeting the 
requirements of section 1244(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985, as 
amended and agency expectations for improving its ability to report on 
each program's performance and achievement of long-term conservation 
benefits. Also included is reference to the sections of these 
regulations that apply to program participants and that relate to the 
agency accountability requirements as outlined in section 1244(g) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.
    Monitor compliance with program requirements. NRCS has established 
application procedures to ensure that participants and eligible 
entities meet eligibility requirements and follow-up procedures to 
ensure that participants and eligible entities are complying with the 
terms and conditions of their contractual arrangement with the 
government, and that the installed conservation measures are operating 
as intended. These and related program compliance evaluation policies 
will be set forth in agency guidance. The program requirements 
applicable to participants and eligible entities that relate to 
compliance are set forth in these regulations in Sec.  1415.4 ``Program 
requirements,'' Sec.  1415.11 ``Restoration agreements,'' and Sec.  
1415.17 ``Cooperative agreements.'' These sections make clear the 
general program requirements, as well as participant and entity 
obligations.
    Measure program performance. Pursuant to the requirements of the 
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-62, Section 
1116) and guidance provided by OMB Circular A-11, NRCS has established 
performance measures for its conservation programs. Program-funded 
conservation activity is captured through automated field-level 
business tools, and the information is available at http://ias.sc.egov.usda.gov/PRSHOME/. Program performance also is reported 
annually to Congress and the public through the annual performance 
budget, annual accomplishments report, and the

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USDA Performance Accountability Report. Related performance measurement 
and reporting policies are set forth in agency guidance (GM--340--401 
and GM--340--403) (http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/).
    The conservation actions undertaken by participants are the basis 
for measuring program performance--specific actions are tracked and 
reported annually, while the effects of those actions relate to whether 
the long-term benefits of the program are being achieved. The program 
requirements applicable to participants that relate to undertaking 
conservation actions are set forth in these regulations in Sec.  1415.4 
``Program requirements,'' Sec.  1415.11 ``Restoration agreements,'' and 
Sec.  1415.17 ``Cooperative agreements.'' These sections make clear 
participant and eligible entity obligations for implementing, 
operating, and maintaining GRP-funded conservation improvements, which 
in aggregate result in the program performance that is reflected in 
agency performance reports.
    Demonstrate whether long-term conservation benefits of the program 
are being achieved. Demonstrating the long-term natural resource 
benefits achieved through conservation programs is subject to the 
availability of needed data, the capacity and capability of modeling 
approaches, and the external influences that affect actual natural 
resource condition. While NRCS captures many measures of ``output'' 
data, such as acres of conservation practices, it is still in the 
process of developing methods to quantify the contribution of those 
outputs to environmental outcomes. NRCS currently uses a mix of 
approaches to evaluate whether long-term conservation benefits are 
being achieved through its programs. Since 1982, NRCS has reported on 
certain natural resource status and trends through the National 
Resources Inventory (NRI), which provides statistically reliable, 
nationally consistent land cover/use and related natural resource data. 
However, a connection between these data and specific conservation 
programs has been lacking. In the future, the interagency Conservation 
Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), which has been underway since 2003, 
will provide nationally consistent estimates of environmental effects 
resulting from conservation practices and systems applied. CEAP results 
will be used in conjunction with performance data gathered through 
agency field-level business tools to help produce estimates of 
environmental effects accomplished through agency programs, such as 
GRP. In 2006, a Blue Ribbon panel evaluation of CEAP strongly endorsed 
the project's purpose, but concluded ``CEAP must change direction'' to 
achieve its purposes. In response, CEAP has focused on priorities 
identified by the Panel and clarified that its purpose is to quantify 
the effects of conservation practices applied on the landscape. 
Information regarding CEAP, including reviews and current status, is 
available at (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/ceap).
    Since 2004 and the initial establishment of long-term performance 
measures by program, NRCS has been estimating and reporting progress 
toward long-term program goals. Natural resource inventory and 
assessment and performance measurement and reporting policies are set 
forth in agency guidance (GM-290-400; GM-340-401; and GM-340-403) 
(http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/).
    Demonstrating the long-term conservation benefits of conservation 
programs is an agency responsibility. Through CEAP, NRCS is in the 
process of evaluating how these long-term benefits can be achieved 
through the conservation practices and systems applied by participants 
under the program. The program requirements applicable to participants 
that relate to producing long-term conservation benefits are described 
previously under ``measuring program performance.''
    Track participation by crop and livestock type. NRCS' automated 
field-level business tools capture participant, land, and operation 
information. This information is aggregated in the National 
Conservation Planning database and is used in a variety of program 
reports. Additional reports will be developed to provide more detailed 
information on program participation to meet congressional needs. These 
and related program management procedures supporting program 
implementation will be set forth in agency guidance.
    The program requirements applicable to participants that relate to 
tracking participation by crop and livestock type are put forth in 
these regulations in Sec.  1415.4 ``Program Requirements,'' which makes 
clear program eligibility requirements, including the requirement to 
provide NRCS the information necessary to implement GRP.
    Coordinate these actions with the national conservation program 
authorized under the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act (RCA). 
The 2008 Act reauthorized and expanded on a number of elements of the 
RCA related to evaluating program performance and conservation 
benefits. Specifically, the 2008 Act added a provision stating, 
``Appraisal and inventory of resources, assessment and inventory of 
conservation needs, evaluation of the effects of conservation 
practices, and analyses of alternative approaches to existing 
conservation programs are basic to effective soil, water, and related 
natural resources conservation.''
    The program, performance, and natural resource and effects data 
described previously will serve as a foundation for the next RCA, which 
will also identify and fill, to the extent possible, data and 
information gaps. Policy and procedures related to the RCA are set 
forth in agency guidance (GM-290-400; CPM-440-525; and GM-130-402) 
(http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/).
    The coordination of the previously described components with the 
RCA is an agency responsibility and is not reflected in these 
regulations. However, it is likely that results from the RCA process 
will result in modifications to the program and performance data 
collected, to the systems used to acquire data and information, and 
potentially to the program itself. Thus, as the Secretary proceeds to 
implement the RCA in accordance with the statute, the approaches and 
processes developed will improve existing program performance 
measurement and outcome reporting capability and provide the foundation 
for improved implementation of the program performance requirements of 
section 1244(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.

Economic Analysis--Executive Summary

    Pursuant to Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 
NRCS has conducted a benefit-cost analysis of GRP as formulated for the 
final rule. This requirement provides decisionmakers with the 
opportunity to develop and implement a program that is beneficial, 
cost-effective, and that minimizes negative impacts to health, human 
safety, and the environment.
    GRP is a voluntary program for landowners and operators to protect, 
restore, and enhance grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, 
shrubland, and certain other lands. The program emphasizes support for 
grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and 
protection of grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under 
threat of conversion.

Methodology Employed in This Study

    NRCS has been charged with implementing GRP as authorized and 
funded by Congress in ``protecting and restoring eligible grasslands 
through

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easement purchases and rental contracts with private landowners and 
operators.'' Given the scope of GRP, the analysis is national in scope 
and evaluates the potential costs and benefits under several scenarios. 
When possible, environmental, economic, and social costs and benefits 
were identified for the land user, the general public, and the 
government.
    Given the current backlog of GRP applicants, full producer 
participation is expected up to the acreage constraint mandated in the 
2008 Act. The main costs of agricultural land retention efforts include 
the restrictions on the activities landowners can pursue on the grazing 
land and Federal program costs that consist of initial costs for 
easement contracts and annual payments for rental contracts. It is 
assumed that easement costs and annual rental costs capture the future 
land use. These costs must then be compared to the benefits of 
preserving the land for grazing or forage production. Benefits include 
the maintenance (and possible improvement) of the flow of ecological 
goods and services emanating from its current use in agriculture, 
forage production, recreation, scenic views, and other non-use benefits 
such as knowing that grazing lands will be available for future 
generations.
    Two baselines were considered in this analysis. Baseline One 
assumes that no changes were made to GRP, with both program features 
and acreage levels continued at pre-2008 levels. Baseline Two assumes 
that all program and acreage levels mandated in the 2008 Act are 
implemented. Against these baseline scenarios, two policy scenarios 
were examined. Policy scenario one assessed the benefits and costs of 
the expanded acreage targets in the 2008 Act without the program 
changes. Policy scenario two assessed the benefits and costs of the 
program changes mandated in the 2008 Act without expanded acreage 
targets (i.e., use fiscal year (FY) 2007 acreage levels). The baselines 
and policy scenarios are shown in the table below.

                     Summary of GRP Policy Scenarios
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                                 Description of      Information for FY
      Baseline/Scenario         baseline/scenario       2009-FY 2012
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A. Baseline One.............  GRP policy remains    Baseline of pre-2008
                               unchanged and         program.
                               acreage will
                               continue at FY 2007
                               acreage levels
                               through FY 2009-FY
                               2012. That is, no
                               action on the 2008
                               Act GRP changes.
B. Policy Scenario One......  GRP policy remains    Outcomes given the
                               unchanged, but        2008 Act GRP
                               acreage increases     acreage goals using
                               to reflect the 2008   ``Baseline one''
                               Act acreage goal      program provisions
                               levels through FY     (pre-2008 program).
                               2009-FY 2012.
C. Baseline Two.............  Full implementation   Outcomes given full
                               of the 2008 Act GRP   implementation of
                               changes.              the 2008 Act.
D. Policy Scenario Two......  Full implementation   Outcomes given the
                               of the 2008 Act GRP   2008 Act GRP
                               changes, but          statutory
                               funding/acreage       provisions with
                               goals set at FY       previous acreage
                               2007 acreage levels   goals.
                               through FY 2009-FY
                               2012.
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Analysis

    The benefits and costs of the baseline and policy scenarios are 
shown in the following table. These results suggest that GRP creates 
positive net benefits. Given the estimates of benefits and costs which 
are described in the main text, the scenario that maximizes 
undiscounted net benefits is Baseline Two, implement all GRP program 
changes mandated in the 2008 Farm Act. The mandated allocation of 40 
percent of contract funds to rental contracts and 60 percent to 
easements plus the elimination of the 30-year easements and 30-year 
contracts contributed to the estimated $424 million in undiscounted net 
benefits for Baseline Two. Although these two factors raised initial 
program costs, they generated a longer stream of undiscounted benefits 
over a longer time period. When discounting is applied, Baseline Two 
maximizes discounted net benefits at the 3 percent level. At higher 
discount rates such as 7 percent, net benefits decrease significantly 
for Baseline Two. The higher upfront costs of permanent easements 
offset the heavily discounted (7 percent) stream of future benefits.

                        Comparison of Net Benefits for the Baseline and Policy Scenarios
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                                                            Net benefits (0%  Net benefits (3%  Net benefits (7%
            Baseline/Scenario                Total acres        discount)         discount)         discount)
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Baseline One \1\........................           541,900      $152,557,735       $65,396,686       $11,752,922
Policy Scenario One \2\.................         1,220,000       343,456,522       147,229,336        26,460,025
Baseline Two \3\........................         1,220,000       423,798,000       152,220,692         4,895,332
Policy Scenario Two \4\.................           542,000       186,282,400        67,373,841         2,630,771
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\1\ Do not implement GRP program changes mandated in the 2008 Act. Obligate new contracts using the FY 2007
  program acres for FY 2009-FY 2012.
\2\ Implement the new acreage goal of the 2008 Act, but do not implement any of the other required changes.
\3\ Implement program changes mandated by the 2008 Act. These include dropping the 30-year easements and 30-year
  rental contracts and allocating 40 percent of the funding to rental contracts and 60 percent to permanent
  easements.
\4\ Implement program changes (elimination of 30-year easements and rental contracts and 40-60 split between
  rental contracts and easements) mandated by the 2008 Act except for acres, which remain 542,000.

Conclusions

    Substantial social, economic, and environmental benefits are 
associated with protecting grasslands in and around metropolitan and 
rural communities. These benefits include improved water quality, soil 
quality, soil conservation, plant and animal diversity, scenic vistas, 
community heritage, economies, and recreational activities. Although 
not all of these benefits were estimated in this analysis, both the 
previous GRP and the modified GRP in the 2008 Act yielded sufficient 
measureable benefits to offset

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measurable costs. GRP, as currently implemented, maximized undiscounted 
net benefits as well as net benefits discounted at 3 percent. At the 
higher 7 percent discount rate, the front loading of costs of permanent 
easements at the beginning of the contracts overwhelmed the flow of 
discounted benefits over time. A more complete accounting of ecosystem 
goods and services would increase benefits over time, thus increasing 
net benefits for all the baseline and policy scenarios. Given this 
information, NRCS recommends Baseline Two, full implementation of GRP 
as specified in the 2008 Act.

Discussion of the Program

    Healthy grasslands protect soil quality; prevent soil erosion, 
provide sustainable forage for livestock, forage, and cover for 
wildlife; improve water quality; and sequester carbon. GRP is a 
voluntary program to assist landowners and agricultural operators in 
restoring and protecting eligible grassland, land that contains forbs, 
or shrublands for which grazing is the predominant use through rental 
contracts and easements. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (2002 Act), Pub. L. 107-171, authorized GRP by adding sections 
1238N through 1238Q to the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, 16 
U.S.C. 3801 et seq.; and providing $254 million through FY 2007 to 
enroll no more than 2 million acres of restored or improved grassland, 
rangeland, shrubland, and pastureland. The program regulations are set 
forth at 7 CFR part 1415.
    Section 2403 of the 2008 Act (Pub. L. 110-246) reauthorized GRP and 
made several amendments to the implementation of the program. The 2008 
Act authorized the enrollment of an additional 1.22 million acres of 
eligible land from FY 2009 through FY 2012.
    The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority to administer 
GRP on behalf of the CCC to the Chief, NRCS, who is a CCC Vice 
President and the Administrator, Farm Service Agency (FSA), who is the 
CCC Executive Vice President. NRCS has the lead responsibility on 
regulatory matters, technical issues, and easement administration, and 
FSA has the lead responsibility for rental contract administration and 
financial activities. The agencies consult on regulatory and policy 
matters pertaining to both rental contracts and easements. At the State 
level, the NRCS State Conservationist and the FSA State Executive 
Director determine how best to utilize the human resources of both 
agencies to deliver the program and implement national policies in an 
efficient manner given the general responsibilities of each agency.
    On January 21, 2009, the CCC published an interim final rule in the 
Federal Register (74 FR 2317) to incorporate programmatic changes 
authorized by the 2008 Act. The CCC also incorporated improvements to 
program administration. The changes made by the interim final rule 
included:
    (a) Identifying that the program's focus changed from protecting, 
conserving, and restoring grassland resources on private lands to 
assisting owners and operators of private and Tribal land in protecting 
grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring and 
conserving eligible land;
    (b) Changing the term rental agreements to rental contracts;
    (c) Adding new definitions, revising existing definitions for 
clarity and consistency with other USDA-administered programs, and 
removing definitions that were no longer relevant to GRP;
    (d) Removing the 30-year rental agreement and 30-year easement 
enrollment options;
    (e) Removing the minimum acreage enrollment requirement. 
Previously, applicants needed to submit 40 contiguous acres for 
enrollment to be eligible;
    (f) Offering enrollment priority for land previously enrolled in 
the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) providing certain conditions 
exist;
    (g) Expanding land eligibility criteria to include land that has 
been historically dominated by grassland, forbs, or shrubland when it 
contains historical or archaeological resources, or when it would 
address issues raised by State, regional, and national conservation 
priorities;
    (h) Allowing for the inclusion of permissible and prohibited 
activities under a rental contract or easement;
    (i) Including a separate payment limitation for restoration 
agreements and rental contracts;
    (j) Establishing the requirements for determining easement 
compensation;
    (k) Requiring implementation of a GRP management plan;
    (l) Adding the authority to enter into cooperative agreements with 
eligible entities to own, write, and enforce easements; and
    (m) Establishing that the entity will provide a share of the 
purchase price at least equivalent to the amount provided by the CCC, 
when eligible entities are acquiring easements under cooperative 
agreements.
    On August 21, 2009, the CCC published an amendment to the January 
21, 2009, interim final rule (74 FR 42170) to clarify the nature of the 
contingent right of enforcement, expand its discussion regarding GRP 
policy for wind and solar power facilities, and remove the blanket 
prohibition upon wind power facilities for off-farm power generation. 
Additionally, the CCC sought public comment to these changes and 
additional public input on the January 21, 2009, interim final rule.

Registration and Reporting Requirements of the Federal Funding and 
Transparency Act of 2006

    OMB recently published two regulations, 2 CFR part 25 and 2 CFR 
part 170, to assist agencies and recipients of Federal financial 
assistance comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) (Pub. L. 109-282, as amended). Both 
regulations have implementation requirements beginning October 1, 2010.
    The regulations at 2 CFR part 25 require, with some exceptions, 
recipients of Federal financial assistance to apply for and receive a 
Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and 
register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The regulations at 2 
CFR part 170 establish new requirements for Federal financial 
assistance applicants, recipients, and sub recipients. The regulation 
provides standard wording that each agency must include in its awarding 
of financial assistance that requires recipients to report information 
about first-tier sub awards and executive compensation under those 
awards.
    NRCS has determined that 2 CFR part 25 and 2 CFR part 170 apply to 
certain awards of financial assistance provided under GRP. Therefore, 
NRCS has incorporated, by reference, these registration and reporting 
requirements at Sec.  1415.6 and will include the requisite provisions 
as part of the GRP contract.

Comments and CCC Responses

    USDA received a total of 19 responses that included 148 comments in 
response to the two GRP public comment periods. USDA received 16 
responses that included 129 comments during the January 21, 2009, 
interim final rule comment period and 3 responses that included 19 
comments during the August 21, 2009, interim final rule amendment 
comment period.
    In this preamble discussion, the comments have been organized in 
alphabetic order by topic. The topics include: Administration, 
administrative costs, allocation, compatible use, compensation, 
conservation and grazing plans, cooperative agreement,

[[Page 73917]]

definitions, easements or agreements (duration), easements or 
agreements (60/40 split), ecosystem credits, enrollment requirements, 
general, land eligibility, misrepresentation and violations, 
participant, program requirements, ranking, restoration agreements, and 
windmills. Additionally, USDA received comments that did not fit any of 
these topic areas.

Administration

    Comment: One commenter supported the policy that allows State 
officials to identify State priorities for project selection (with 
input from the State Technical Committee) and the authority for States 
to develop ranking criteria. The commenter would also like provisions 
to allow local stakeholders to identify priorities for GRP funds.
    Response: USDA appreciates the support for its policies and 
maintains decisionmaking responsibilities at the lowest level 
reasonable. Local stakeholders may provide GRP input on program 
priorities by participating in local working groups authorized by 7 CFR 
part 610. The local working groups provide input to the State Technical 
Committee, authorized by 7 CFR part 610, on a myriad of topics 
including potential program application ranking criteria. No changes 
were made to the final rule.
    Comments: Section 1415.2(a)(3) provides that the NRCS Chief and FSA 
Administrator ensure that national, State, and local-level information 
regarding program implementation is made available to the public. Two 
commenters recommended USDA clarify in the final rule how the 
information will be made available to the public and identify whether 
there will be an opportunity for further public input. They recommended 
that USDA utilize public input through State Technical Committees for 
improving implementation of the program.
    Response: Section 1415.2(a)(3) provides flexibility for the agency 
leaders to determine the appropriate approach and methods for ensuring 
the public is provided information regarding program implementation. 
State Technical Committee meetings are open to the public, and USDA 
provides opportunity for people to comment on program implementation at 
any time. The public can view the State Technical Committee standard 
operating procedures at http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/, or obtain 
a copy from their local NRCS office. No changes were made to the final 
rule.
    Comments: One commenter recommended that USDA revise Sec.  
1415.2(b)(4) to require input from the State Technical Committee when 
developing program outreach materials, and that USDA revise Sec.  
1415.2(b)(6) by requiring input from the State Technical Committee when 
developing grazing management plans and restoration agreements. The 
commenter indicated that grazing management plans should improve 
biodiversity and requested that guidance be provided by the State 
Technical Committee on criteria that is needed and must be included in 
the grazing management plans to address the biodiversity component.
    Response: The State Technical Committee is established to assist 
USDA by making recommendations relating to the implementation and 
technical aspects of natural resource conservation activities and 
programs. The State Technical Committee provides recommendations on a 
myriad of topics including, but not limited to, recommendations on:
    (1) The criteria to be used in prioritizing program applications;
    (2) The State-specific application criteria;
    (3) Priority natural resource concerns in the State;
    (4) Emerging natural resource concerns and program needs; and
    (5) Conservation practice standards and specifications.
    USDA agrees with the comment that reference to the State Technical 
Committee should be added to Sec.  1415.2(b)(4). Therefore, paragraph 
(b)(4) has been revised to read as follows: ``With advice from the 
State Technical Committee, developing program outreach materials at the 
State and local levels to help ensure landowners, operators, and 
tenants of eligible land are aware and informed that they may be 
eligible for the program.''
    USDA believes that the State Technical Committee provides guidance 
on GRP management plans by making recommendations on conservation 
practice standards and specifications. Biodiversity is addressed in the 
NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) and through its conservation 
practice standards.

Administrative Costs

    USDA received five comments from two respondents related to the 
administrative cost provisions in Sec.  1415.11 Restoration agreements, 
and Sec.  1415.17 Cooperative agreements. Section 1415.11 describes the 
applicability of restoration agreements and the terms of such 
agreements; and Sec.  1415.17 describes the terms through which USDA 
will enter into an agreement with an eligible entity for such entity to 
write, hold, and enforce a GRP easement.
    Comments: One commenter expressed that the policy in Sec.  
1415.17(c)(10) places undue financial burden on the potential 
cooperators, and the policy in Sec.  1415.17(c)(13) places undue 
restrictions and unfair burdens that will make it difficult for 
cooperators to participate.
    Further, Sec.  1415.17(c)(13) expressly disallows GRP funds for 
expenditures for administrative costs such as appraisals, surveys, and 
title insurance that are authorized when the United States purchases a 
GRP easement directly from the landowner. The commenter contends it is 
appropriate for GRP funds to be used for these expenses on at least a 
cost-share basis when a qualified eligible entity is conducting this 
administrative function under a cooperative agreement.
    Response: The GRP statute provides that eligible entities who enter 
into an agreement with USDA to acquire easements will assume the costs 
incurred in administering the easement. In the interim final rule, USDA 
explained that it patterned GRP after the Farm and Ranch Lands 
Protection Program (FRPP) where the partnering entity assumes 
responsibility for the majority of the administrative costs related to 
acquisition. This decision was intended to apply consistent policies to 
the extent allowable under the terms of each program's statute. 
Financial assistance funds are used in both GRP and FRPP to purchase a 
share of the conservation easement. USDA will use program funds to 
conduct an environmental database records search and appraisal reviews 
as it does with FRPP. No changes were made to the final rule.
    Comments: Section 1415.11(k) includes provisions for restoration 
agreements when title for an easement acquired by USDA is transferred 
to an eligible entity. One commenter recommended revising policy that 
requires the entity be responsible for providing funding for the 
completion of the restoration agreement. The commenter recommended the 
entity only be responsible for the administration of the restoration 
agreement. The commenter contends that the policy limits USDA's ability 
to transfer easements to other entities capable of managing the 
easement. The commenter had a similar comment about the policy in Sec.  
1415.11(l) regarding easements held by eligible entities.
    Response: USDA agrees that the provisions in paragraphs (k) and (l) 
of Sec.  1415.11 may reduce the interest in

[[Page 73918]]

holding or acquiring GRP easements for some otherwise eligible 
entities. However, these provisions are required by the GRP statute (16 
U.S.C. 3838q(c)1(C)). When the Secretary transfers easement title of 
ownership to an eligible entity to hold and enforce, in lieu of the 
Secretary, and when the Secretary enters into a cooperative agreement 
with an eligible entity for the entity to acquire easements, the 
eligible entity agrees to assume the costs incurred in administering 
and enforcing the easement, including the costs of restoration or 
rehabilitation of the land as specified by the owner and the eligible 
entity. No changes were made to the final rule.

Allocation

    Comments: Seven commenters recommended USDA revise Sec.  
1415.2(a)(2) to require USDA to use State wildlife action plans in 
determining national allocation formulas or when establishing program 
priorities. The commenters also recommend that USDA coordinate with 
State fish and wildlife agencies as part of assessing natural resource 
concerns. Another commenter expressed that considering issues raised by 
State, regional, and national conservation priorities, as required in 
Sec.  1415.5(b)(2)(iii), to inform local ranking priorities should also 
be used to inform the national allocation process. By incorporating 
fish and wildlife resource priorities for grasslands into the 
allocation process, USDA can help maximize the fish and wildlife 
benefits while emphasizing the support for grazing operations.
    Response: USDA considered using State wildlife action plans in 
national allocation formulas. However, USDA concluded that the plans do 
not lend themselves to being used in a standardized formula process 
because of inconsistencies in the format of the plans across the 
country. USDA will consider using these plans in allocation formulas 
when a more consistent format is developed. State wildlife action plans 
can be used by State Technical Committees to assess natural resource 
concerns and determine project ranking at the State level. No changes 
were made to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter expressed that Sec.  1415.2(a)(2), as 
written, did not provide sufficient assurance that the agency will use 
the national allocation process in a way that maximizes the 
conservation benefits that grazing operations can deliver.
    Response: USDA developed an allocation process to consider the 
three priorities of the program as provided for in the 2008 Act at 16 
U.S.C. 3838p(a)(2). The national allocation process considers the 
amount of range and pastureland and loss, number of livestock 
operations, Federally listed threatened and endangered species, and 
candidate species. Additional factors can be added at the State level 
for individual application ranking by State Technical Committees whose 
members include State fish and wildlife agencies. No changes were made 
to the final rule.

Compatible Use

    Comments: Two commenters expressed concern related to a 
participating landowner's rights regarding hunting and fishing. They 
wanted these activities identified as reserved rights of the landowner. 
The commenters recommended USDA change this language as well as other 
compatible use language in this final rule.
    Another commenter recommended rewording the definition of 
compatible use as follows: ``Compatible use includes those activities, 
uses, or measures that do not interfere with the timely implementation 
or full effectiveness of conservation practices as described in the 
restoration plan.''
    Response: The term compatible use is not used in the GRP rule. The 
rule does provide the authority in Sec.  1415.4(h)(6) to allow USDA to 
determine the manner, number, intensity, location, operation, and other 
features associated with an activity that will not adversely affect the 
grassland resources or related conservation values protected under an 
easement or rental contract.
    However, USDA did clarify the easement deed and rental contracts, 
as well as Sec.  1415.4(h)(6) regarding hunting and other reserved 
rights by including the following revised language: ``This also 
includes undeveloped, passive, recreational uses such as hiking, 
camping, bird watching, hunting, and fishing as long as such uses, as 
determined by the grantee, do not impair the grazing uses and other 
conservation values.''

Compensation

    Comments: One commenter recommended NRCS eliminate the new 
requirement for market analysis and reinstate the use of an individual 
appraisal for determining value of a GRP easement. The commenter 
expressed an opinion that a market analysis will not accurately reflect 
the fair market value of a property. The main concern is that the broad 
brush approach will discourage landowners from applying for the program 
and ultimately protecting their land.
    Response: The 2008 Act specifies that easement compensation will 
not exceed the fair market value of the land less the grazing value of 
the land encumbered by the easement. Further, either an appraisal or 
area-wide market analysis will be used as one method for determining 
easement compensation. USDA agrees with the commenter that an area-wide 
market analysis would not accurately reflect the fair market value of a 
property in areas where insufficient market data exists. In those 
cases, USDA will be using an appraisal; therefore, no changes were made 
to the final rule.
    Comments: Another commenter expressed that it is not clear in the 
interim final rule how FSA will determine grazing value for rental 
contracts. The commenter would like the final rule to clarify that the 
NRCS Chief and FSA Administrator may allow flexibility to adjust rental 
rates to be competitive with other uses, such as pasture rental, to 
attract program participants.
    Response: USDA agrees that if rental rates become too low, 
inadequate offers will be received to maximize the environmental 
benefits. Currently however, demand for rental contracts is high with 
more applicants than funding allows. Raising rental rates would reduce 
the acres enrolled. FSA determines GRP rental rates by using an 
administrative process which considers rates established for similar 
uses under other conservation programs. This process considers rates 
such as marginal pastureland rates and other rates used for CRP, as 
well as trying to ensure consistency between counties. With the current 
high demand for GRP rental contracts at the present rental rates, no 
changes were made to the final rule.

Conservation and Grazing Plans

    Comments: One commenter recommended USDA revise Sec.  1415.2(b)(6) 
to include ``developing conservation plans'' to the list of State 
Conservationist's responsibilities.
    Response: The State Conservationist is responsible for all planning 
activities including conservation plans, when applicable. USDA agrees 
with the commenter that clarity is needed. USDA is using the term GRP 
management plan to include conservation plans and restoration plans in 
addition to any applicable grazing management systems. Therefore, USDA 
revised Sec.  1415.2(b)(6) to read ``Developing GRP management plans 
and restoration agreements, when applicable.''

Cooperative Agreement

    Comments: One commenter questioned how Sec.  1415.12(a) will be

[[Page 73919]]

interpreted. The commenter recommended that USDA clarify that 
conservation easements may be amended if such amendments clearly 
preserve or benefit the conservation values of the property. Most 
easements include an amendment provision. The commenter expressed 
concern that a strict no amendment standard may have future adverse and 
unintended consequences as management practices change and knowledge of 
proper resource management advances.
    Response: USDA agrees that Sec.  1415.12(a) should be clarified. 
USDA understands the commenter's concerns and is aware that easement 
deeds typically include modification provisions if the modification 
serves the conservation purposes of the easement. USDA does not 
currently have legal authority to change the substantive terms of a GRP 
conservation easement once it has been recorded. Specifically, 
modifications that would result in acquisition or divestiture of 
additional property rights cannot be made. However, deed changes that 
do not result in the acquisition or divestiture of property rights may 
be made, such as technical changes or clarifications of deed text. As 
management practices change, the GRP management plan may be modified to 
address advances in resource management knowledge.
    Comments: One commenter expressed that to the extent an eligible 
entity is holding and managing an easement, the eligible entity must be 
privy to the grazing plan in addition to USDA and the landowner. The 
eligible entity should also be privy and a party to any modifications 
of a grazing plan if it is holding the easement. The commenter believes 
this is what is meant under statutory reference to mutual agreement of 
the parties under section 12380(b)(6). Another commenter questioned 
whether it is the responsibility of the eligible entity or NRCS to 
develop these plans. If it is the role of NRCS, the commenter suggested 
the eligible entity should provide input into the plans if they are 
expected to monitor and enforce them.
    Response: Section 1415.4(c) provides that all participants are 
required to implement a GRP management plan. USDA added, ``NRCS will 
develop GRP management plans with eligible entities.'' This language 
ensures the partnering entity is fully aware of the GRP management plan 
requirements and is party to the development of these plans. No changes 
were made to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter stated that the GRP statute does not 
specify that a dedicated fund is required by an eligible entity for the 
purpose of easement management, monitoring, and enforcement. While the 
commenter agreed that it is appropriate and desirable for entities to 
have an adequate stewardship endowment fund to assure they can meet the 
perpetual management of conservation easements they hold and 
administer, they identified that conservation monitoring and management 
functions may be addressed separately from enforcement purposes in the 
organization's operational budget. In such cases, the various funding 
sources may not be considered dedicated. They recommend that USDA 
change the final rule to clarify the funds be a necessary requirement 
for eligible entities, but the fund need not be dedicated. The 
commenter also expressed that GRP should be set up and run in a similar 
manner to the FRPP, so that eligible third parties can certify for both 
programs.
    Response: The GRP statute provides that the Secretary may approve 
an eligible entity if the Secretary determines the entity has the 
resources necessary to effectuate the purposes of its charter. The 
dedicated fund requirement established in the interim final rule 
provides USDA a level of assurance that the easement will be managed, 
monitored, and enforced for the duration of the easement. Unlike the 
FRPP statute, the GRP statute does not include a certification process. 
The dedicated fund requirement, however, provides USDA a means to 
evaluate if an eligible entity has sufficient resources to administer, 
manage, monitor, and defend a GRP conservation easement. NRCS will 
evaluate the funding structure of an entity's stewardship activities 
when making the determination of whether there is a dedicated fund. No 
changes were made to the final rule.
    Comments: Six commenters expressed that USDA should include 
landowners' donations, when applicable, as part of the entity's share 
of the purchase. The commenters further expressed that it is important 
to note that eligible entities are providing a significant role in 
furthering the purpose of GRP by committing to perpetually monitoring 
and enforcing the terms of the easements and plans. Many States with 
considerable grassland resources do not have dedicated State resources 
for leveraging Federal funds. The commenters believe USDA's policy 
inhibits GRP participation in areas of the country where local 
conservation easement purchase funds are limited or nonexistent, and 
thus, the restriction places too great a financial burden on potential 
cooperating entities.
    Response: USDA evaluated the policy related to landowner donations 
and entity purchase price. USDA agrees with the commenters and has 
revised the definition of purchase price to read: ``Purchase price 
means the amount paid to acquire an easement under a cooperative 
agreement between NRCS and an eligible entity. It is the fair market 
value of the easement.'' This change allows landowner donations to 
count as part of the entity share.
    Comments: USDA received a number of comments related to the Federal 
Government's interest in GRP easements. The GRP interim final rule 
amendment alleviated a number of concerns related to the easement 
acquisition process and whether Federal real property acquisition 
requirements apply. One commenter supported maintaining language in 
Sec.  1415.17(e)(1) that the rights acquired by the United States are a 
vested property right and cannot be condemned or terminated by State or 
local government.
    Response: USDA agrees with the comment about Sec.  1415.17(e)(1). 
No changes were made to the final rule regarding the interest of the 
United States being a vested property right.

Definitions

Biodiversity
    Comments: Eleven commenters requested USDA add a definition for the 
term biodiversity. They would like to add a definition for biodiversity 
to read: Biodiversity means the variety and variability among living 
organisms native to the local ecological sub-region and ecological 
complex. They also want the term biodiversity added to the Common 
Grazing Practices definition as follows: ``Common Grazing Practices 
means * * * activities necessary to maintain and improve the 
biodiversity and viability of forage. * * *''
    Response: USDA agrees with the commenters that including a 
definition for biological diversity improves understanding of the 
regulation. Therefore, USDA adds a definition for biological diversity 
to the final rule that reads as follows: ``Biological diversity means 
the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological 
complexes in which they live.'' USDA removed the definition for the 
term ``plant and animal biodiversity'' because this term is no longer 
needed.
    Common grazing practices are allowable uses in a local area. Plant 
species composition is considered in the development of GRP management 
plans. Because specific grazing practices vary by region, they may or 
may not improve biodiversity. While GRP emphasizes

[[Page 73920]]

support of biodiversity, common grazing practices customary to the 
region are allowed. No change was made to the definition of common 
grazing practices in the final rule.
Conservation Plan
    Comments: One commenter requested USDA expand the definition of 
conservation plan to reflect all grassland values. Specifically, the 
commenter requested the definition be amended as follows: 
``conservation plan means a record of the GRP participant's decisions 
and supporting information that will be developed to address resource 
concerns in addition to grazing land uses. The conservation plan will 
describe the conservation values of the grassland or shrubland to be 
addressed and will include. * * *''
    Response: USDA agrees with the comment and added the definition of 
GRP management plan to include a conservation plan. The GRP management 
plan means the document developed by NRCS that describes the 
implementation of the grazing management system consistent with the 
prescribed grazing standard contained in the FOTG. The GRP management 
plan will include a description of the grazing management system, 
permissible and prohibited activities, any associated restoration plan 
or conservation plan if applicable, and a description of USDA's right 
of ingress and egress.
    A conservation plan will be accepted as a GRP management plan and 
will describe the implementation and maintenance of grazing management 
and conservation practices directly related to eligibility criteria 
under which the land is enrolled.
Conservation Values
    Comments: One commenter recommended USDA revise the definition of 
conservation values to mean those natural resource attributes that 
``sustain and enhance ecosystem functions and values of grasslands and 
shrublands including, but not limited to, native plant and animal 
biodiversity, habitat for native grassland and shrubland. * * *''
    Response: The purpose of GRP is to assist owners and operators to 
protect grazing use and related conservation values. Improved range and 
pasture which protect grazing uses may or may not include native 
grasslands as a related conservation value. USDA did not restrict the 
definition of conservation value to only native plants and animals 
since the primary purpose of the program is to protect grazing uses. 
However, USDA agrees the definition can be improved. Therefore, the 
definition has been amended to read ``Conservation values means those 
natural resource attributes that sustain and enhance ecosystem 
functions and values of the grassland area including, but not limited 
to, habitat for grassland and shrubland dependent plants and animals, 
native plant and animal biodiversity, soil erosion control, forage 
production, and air and water quality protection.''
Enhancement
    Comments: One commenter expressed that the definition of 
enhancement refers to the viability of grassland resources but fails to 
recognize grazing values. The definition only refers to wildlife 
habitat, which is just one purpose of the program. The commenter wants 
the definition of enhancement to recognize grazing values.
    Response: USDA agrees with the comment and added grazing resources 
to the definition.
Grazing Management Plan
    Comments: Several comments were received regarding the definition 
of grazing management plans. They expressed that the grazing management 
plan should always be associated with a conservation plan and 
recommended rewording the definition to reflect this. One specific 
concern is that grazing management plans will not address related 
conservation values; another concern is that the definition of grazing 
management plans does not accomplish the protection of related 
conservation values and is not consistent with the stated intent of the 
managers to ensure conservation purposes are met.
    One commenter recommended specific amendatory language to read: 
``The grazing management plan will include a description of the grazing 
management system, permissible and prohibited activities, an associated 
conservation plan, any associated restoration plan, if applicable, and 
a description of USDA's right of ingress and egress.'' Other commenters 
also expressed that requiring participants and grantees to develop and 
follow two separate plans adds complexity and confusion. Section 
1415.4(c) indicates participants may have to agree to and implement a 
grazing management plan and a conservation plan when a participant 
receives ranking points for resource concerns other than grazing 
resources. A more practicable approach would be to require the grazing 
management plan to incorporate specific conservation objectives if the 
application is accepted because of State priorities for local 
conservation needs. They want to stress that any management plan must 
be developed and agreed to by the grantor and grantee prior to the 
closing of the easement deed. Furthermore, especially for land in 
perpetual easements, it may be necessary to modify or restructure 
management plans as environmental conditions and grassland management 
knowledge and opportunities develop in the future.
    Response: USDA agrees that the language in the interim final rule 
is confusing regarding when a grazing management plan is required and 
when a conservation plan is required. This final rule changes the 
definition of ``grazing management plan'' to a ``GRP management plan'' 
as the minimum planning requirement for GRP participation. A 
conservation plan is not required, but can be used as a GRP management 
plan for certain lands enrolled in the program. The prescribed grazing 
standard used for developing a GRP management plan does address related 
conservation values because it includes vegetation and forage 
management, water quality and quantity, riparian and watershed 
function, soil erosion and condition, wildlife, and prescribed fire.
    USDA revised the language in Sec.  1415.4(c) to read that all 
participants in GRP are required to implement a GRP management plan 
approved by NRCS. NRCS will develop GRP management plans with eligible 
entities. In cases where a participant receives ranking points on the 
basis of resource concerns other than grazing land concerns, all such 
resource concerns will be addressed in an applicable conservation plan.
Infrastructure
    Comments: The interim final rule amendment discusses the footprint 
of the related infrastructure but does not include a definition. USDA 
received comments that suggested describing the infrastructure of power 
generation facilities to include transmission corridors and roads.
    Response: USDA did not adopt the recommendation to add a definition 
for the term infrastructure. Specific infrastructure needs may vary 
from project-to-project and are difficult to define. Since USDA will 
conduct site-specific environmental analysis for proposed projects 
associated with renewable energy, the specific types of infrastructure 
will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

[[Page 73921]]

Native
    Comments: USDA received multiple comments recommending that GRP be 
restricted to native grassland systems.
    Response: The GRP statute provides that the purpose of the program 
is to ``assist owners and operators in protecting grazing uses and 
related conservation values. * * *'' Native grasslands are included in 
program purposes, as are improved rangeland and pastureland for which 
grazing is the predominant use. Priority for native grasslands can be 
addressed through the ranking process. Native grasslands can be a 
priority at either the national, State, or regional level. No changes 
were made to the final rule.
Nesting Season
    Comments: GRP participants are permitted to hay, mow, or harvest 
for seed production subject to appropriate restrictions, as determined 
by the State Conservationist, during the nesting season for birds in 
the local area that are in significant decline, or are conserved in 
accordance with Federal or State law. The interim final rule defined 
nesting season as the time of year that animals (birds and others) 
build or otherwise find a place of refuge for purposes of reproduction 
or dormancy. Commenters requested clarification of the intent of the 
term dormancy in the definition. USDA received a number of comments on 
the definition of nesting season including clarifying or removing the 
phrase ``subject to appropriate restrictions;'' insert ``birds and 
other animals'' in place of birds and others; and clarify ``or 
dormancy.''
    Response: The GRP statute identifies birds in the local area that 
are in significant decline. For clarification, given the specificity in 
the statute, USDA revises the definition of nesting season to read 
``the time of year that grassland dependent birds in significant 
decline in the local area build nests or otherwise find a place of 
refuge for purposes of reproduction.'' NRCS identifies the bird species 
and nesting season in the GRP management plan.
Purchase Price
    Comments: USDA received comments expressing that the rule goes 
beyond statutory authority to define the term purchase price in such a 
way as to require a cash match from the eligible entity, which the 
statute does not require. The commenters suggested that the eligible 
entity at least match the Secretary with a combination of cash and 
landowner donation.
    Response: USDA has revised the definition of purchase price to read 
``Purchase price means the amount paid to acquire an easement under a 
cooperative agreement between NRCS and an eligible entity. It is the 
fair market value of the easement.'' This change allows landowner 
donations to count as part of the entity share.
Shrubland
    Comments: One commenter recommended USDA remove the following words 
from the shrubland definition: ``and generally produces several basal 
shoots instead of a single bole.'' The commenter explained there is a 
number of shrubland species that are single boled and such distinction 
is not necessary to include in this definition.
    Response: USDA agrees with the comment and has changed the 
definition in the final rule.

Easements or Agreements (Duration)

    Comments: One commenter disagreed with the removal of the 30-year 
rental agreement as an enrollment option. The commenter supports 
shorter-term easements and cost-share agreements over permanent 
easements.
    Response: The removal of the 30-year agreement and easement options 
was the result of the 2008 Act, and therefore, USDA has no discretion 
to change it. No changes were made to the final rule.

Easements or Agreements (60/40 Split)

    Comments: USDA received four comments on the statutory requirement 
that the Secretary will use, to the extent practicable, 40 percent of 
the funds for rental contracts and 60 percent of the funds for 
easements. The interim final rule provides that USDA will manage the 
program nationally to ensure that, to the extent practicable, ``no more 
than 60 percent of the funds are used for the purchase of easements * * 
* and no more than 40 percent of the funds are used for rental 
contracts.'' The commenters recommended USDA drop the ``no more than'' 
language since it is not required in statute and is unnecessarily 
limiting.
    Response: USDA agrees that the phrase ``no more than'' creates an 
inflexibility that was not established in statute. Further, it creates 
an impractical impediment to efficient program implementation. 
Therefore, USDA removed ``no more than'' in Sec.  1415.8(j).

Ecosystem Credits

    Comments: Three comments were received requesting Sec.  1415.10(h) 
be revised to be consistent with the Healthy Forest Reserve Program 
(HFRP) regulation in 7 CFR part 625.
    Response: The following revision was made to Sec.  1415.10(h) to be 
consistent with HFRP:

    USDA recognizes that environmental benefits will be achieved by 
implementing conservation practices and activities funded through 
GRP, and that ecosystem credits may be gained as a result of 
implementing activities compatible with the purposes of a GRP 
easement, rental contract, or associated restoration agreement. USDA 
asserts no direct or indirect interest in these credits except:
    (1) In the event the participant sells or trades credits arising 
from GRP funded activities, USDA retains the authority to ensure 
that the requirements for GRP rental contracts, easements, or 
restoration agreements are met and maintained consistent with this 
part; and
    (2) If activities required under an ecosystem credit agreement 
may affect land covered under a GRP rental contract, easement, or 
restoration agreement, participants are highly encouraged to request 
an assessment from USDA about the compatibility of the activity 
prior to entering into such agreements.

Enrollment Requirements

    Comments: In addition to the requests to amend the definition of 
grazing management plan as explained above, USDA received requests to 
revise the second sentence of Sec.  1415.9(e) to read ``NRCS will 
proceed with the development of the grazing and conservation management 
plans and the restoration plan, if applicable.'' The commenters 
expressed that all grazing management plans should be part of a 
conservation plan which addresses related conservation values 
associated with the program purpose.
    Response: Grazing management plans are usually a part of a 
conservation plan. The GRP management plan includes grazing, 
conservation, and restoration planning. No changes were made to the 
final rule.
    Comments: One commenter expressed concern about policy related to 
crop acreage bases in Sec.  1415.4(l). Paragraph (l) requires rental 
contract participants to suspend any existing cropland base and 
allotment history for the land under another program administered by 
the Secretary. The commenter expressed support for allowing producers 
to maintain their crop base history as long as the producer has met all 
contract obligations. However, the commenter recommends that if program 
payments are reduced or delayed for 90 days or longer, the producer 
should have the option to withdraw from the contract without penalty, 
and program crop bases would be restored to their prior level.
    Response: GRP rental contracts are fully funded for all years under 
the

[[Page 73922]]

contract once it is approved and signed by the CCC. USDA does not 
foresee a situation where producer's payments could be delayed for 90 
days; therefore, no changes were made to the final rule.

General

    Comments: One commenter recommended that Sec.  1415.4(h)(4) be 
revised to read: ``Grazing related activities, such as fencing and 
livestock watering facilities, provided that such activities will not 
adversely affect the related conservation values, including habitat for 
grassland and shrubland dependent birds and other animals.''
    Response: All permitted activities listed under Sec.  1415.4(h) 
must be consistent with the conservation easement deed or rental 
contract terms. Permitted activities, such as grazing related 
activities, must also follow the GRP management plan and be consistent 
with GRP purposes, including related conservation values and 
appropriate restrictions during the nesting season for birds in the 
local area that are in significant decline.
    Comments: USDA received one comment on the provisions related to 
permitted activities in Sec.  1415.4(h)(6) that describes limits on 
infrastructure development along existing right-of-ways. The commenter 
identified that the text appears to prohibit any development on future 
right-of-ways. It was suggested that USDA and the grantee should have 
the ability to use discretion for future right-of-ways, especially when 
it is determined to be in the public benefit and grassland resources 
and related conservation values will not be adversely impacted.
    Response: USDA recognizes the difficulty related to developing 
agreements without complete foresight into the potential future needs 
for the enrolled property. However, USDA does not have the statutory 
authority to amend GRP conservation easements. Therefore, USDA cannot 
amend an easement to reflect future right-of-ways. No changes were made 
to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter supports the use of the grazing management 
plan as the primary plan for GRP participants. No matter which of these 
plans are used (conservation plans, restoration plans, and grazing 
management plans), the commenter believed that landowners operating 
under these plans or agreements should have assurance they will not be 
found in violation of the Endangered Species Act or other Federal or 
State environmental laws by implementing their requirements.
    Response: USDA follows its National Planning and Procedures 
Handbook in the development of GRP management plans to ensure that 
conservation practices are identified in accordance with NRCS standards 
and specifications. While the GRP management plans identify the 
management activities the landowner will conduct on the easement area, 
including implementation of conservation practices, the identification 
of an activity in a plan does not bestow upon the activity immunity 
from other legal requirements that a landowner must follow when 
conducting activities on private land, nor do USDA approvals bind other 
Federal or State agencies in the implementation of their own 
regulations. A landowner remains responsible for ensuring the 
activities conducted on his or her farm or ranch operation are in 
compliance with the law, including obtaining any necessary permits or 
approvals by other governmental entities. No changes were made to the 
final rule.
    Comments: One commenter recommended an increase in the percentage 
of incidental land allowed. The commenter expressed that limiting the 
amount of incidental land that may be included in the GRP easement to 
10 percent will result in awkward configurations that may not be the 
best conservation outcome and may be difficult to steward.
    Response: The regulation does not limit incidental land to a 
percentage. The interim final rule provided in Sec.  1415.5(c) that 
incidental land may be considered for enrollment to allow for the 
efficient administration of an easement or rental contract. The rule 
did not specify a percentage. Since the regulation provides USDA the 
flexibility to make determinations about incidental land, no changes 
were made to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter strongly disagreed with the statement in 
the preamble (in the section entitled Summary of 2008 Act Changes) that 
the expansion of the statement of purposes was intended to change the 
program's focus from protecting, conserving, and restoring grassland 
resources on private lands. Both the 2002 Act and the 2008 Act referred 
to restoring and conserving eligible land. The commenters identified 
that no language in the statute or the Statement of Managers supports 
the interpretation the agency has apparently taken that the addition of 
the reference to grazing uses represents a significant shift that 
justifies a decreased focus in the rule on meeting the program's 
conservation purposes. The commenter expressed that it is important to 
make this point because the change in program purposes in the statute 
is cited in the preamble to the interim final rule as justification for 
a number of changes USDA has made to the final rule. For example, the 
change in purposes is cited to support the agency's decision to remove 
in Sec.  1415.1(b), the statement that one of the objectives of GRP is 
to emphasize preservation of native and naturalized grasslands and 
shrublands. The preamble states that the change in program purposes 
means that the program is not limited to native and naturalized 
grasslands.
    Response: The change in emphasis was made to implement the intent 
of Congress as indicated in the statutory changes made in the new Farm 
Bill. Specifically, the statute states that the purpose of GRP is to 
assist owners and operators in protecting grazing uses and related 
conservation values. The previous statute emphasized preservation of 
native and naturalized grasslands and shrublands. Native grasslands are 
included in program purposes in this statute, as are improved rangeland 
and pastureland for which grazing is the predominant use. Applications 
are evaluated and ranked to emphasize support for grazing operations, 
plant and animal biodiversity, and threat to conversion to uses other 
than grazing. Native grasses are considered during the ranking process, 
and native grasslands are considered as part of the biodiversity 
emphasis. No changes were made to the final rule.

Land Eligibility

    Comments: Two commenters supported the policy that allows and gives 
priority to enrollment of expiring CRP lands and for continuing to 
recognize the value of native grasslands. One commenter that 
recommended priority to native grasslands also suggested that expiring 
CRP, that was not established to native grasslands but that supported 
lesser or greater prairie chickens, should be an exception to a 
priority of native grasslands.
    Response: USDA appreciates the support for its policies and 
maintains decisionmaking responsibilities at the lowest level 
reasonable. Priority for expiring CRP is authorized in 16 U.S.C. 
3838n(A). Determination of the high ecological value and threat of 
conversion to uses other than grazing of these lands is determined by 
the State Conservationist, with input from the State Technical 
Committee. Local stakeholders do have the opportunity in GRP to provide 
input on land eligibility by participating in local working groups

[[Page 73923]]

authorized under 7 CFR part 610. No changes were made to the final 
rule.
    Comments: Three commenters recommended adding the word native in 
Sec.  1415.5(b)(2)(i).
    Response: The purpose of GRP is to assist owners and operators in 
protecting grazing uses and related conservation values, and USDA 
recognizes the value of conserving native grasslands. USDA does not 
want to limit land eligibility to only native grasslands because this 
would preclude acceptance of other significant habitats such as 
expiring CRP lands with non-native grasses supporting lesser or greater 
prairie chickens. No changes were made to the final rule.
    Comments: Two commenters suggested USDA coordinate with U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and State fish and wildlife agencies when 
assessing potential impact of third party mineral rights for a GRP 
easement under Sec.  1415.5(e). Another commenter believes that Sec.  
1415.5(e) will make it possible to place a GRP easement on a property 
with a split estate.
    Response: Gas, oil, earth, or other mineral rights exploration may 
have adverse affects on the conservation values the GRP is protecting. 
USDA reserves the right to deny funding when there are exceptions to 
clear title on a property offered for a GRP easement that may undermine 
the purposes for which the United States acquired the easement. As part 
of its due diligence to determine whether outstanding rights may impact 
the conservation values, USDA will require a mineral remoteness test 
for any property with severed mineral rights. Consultation with the 
USFWS and State fish and wildlife agencies would not determine the 
potential for extraction of resources; therefore, no changes were made 
to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter appreciated the recognition of State, 
regional, and national conservation priorities and the inclusion of 
incidental lands under Sec.  1415.5.
    Response: USDA agrees with the comment and appreciates support of 
its policies.
    Comments: One commenter believes that Sec.  1415.5(b)(1) will allow 
USDA to target large tracts of grassland in the West.
    Response: Grasslands, land that contains forbs, or shrubland, for 
which grazing is the predominant use, are eligible for funding 
consideration. Lands located in areas historically dominated by 
grassland, forbs, or shrubland that is compatible with grazing uses and 
related conservation values are also eligible. USDA is not targeting 
any particular region of the country. No changes were made to the final 
rule.

Misrepresentation and Violations

    Comments: One commentor requested that USDA revise Sec.  
1415.14(b)(2) and (3) to include provisions for NRCS or an easement 
holder representative to enter easement lands when there is an easement 
violation and to allow both NRCS and an easement holder, who acquires 
an easement in accordance with either Sec.  1415.17 or Sec.  1415.18, 
to monitor the easement for violations.
    Response: Section 1415.14 includes provisions for when the United 
States remains the easement holder. Sections 1415.17 and 1415.18 
include provisions for when someone other than the United States holds 
title to the deed. The GRP deed provides ``Upon notification to the 
grantor, grantee, or grantee's agents may enter the property to inspect 
for violations including, but not limited to, assessing compliance with 
the GRP management plan. However, notification by the grantee prior to 
entry is not required when the grantee believes there may be a 
violation of the terms of this deed. If the grantee finds a violation, 
the grantee may at its discretion take appropriate legal action in law 
or equity. Upon discovery of a violation, the grantee will notify the 
grantor in writing of the violation. Except when an ongoing or imminent 
violation could, as determined by grantee, seriously impair the 
conservation values of the property, the grantee will give the grantor 
written notice of the violation and 30 days to correct it before filing 
any legal action.''

Participant

    Comments: Two commenters recommended adding the following phrase to 
Sec.  1415.4(h)(6): `` * * * when it is determined by NRCS, in 
consultation with USFWS and State fish and wildlife agencies, that 
granting such right-of-way. * * *''
    Response: USDA recognizes the need to engage appropriate expertise 
when considering allowing infrastructure development. Each State 
Technical Committee includes USFWS and State and fish wildlife 
agencies. USDA will coordinate with those agencies when evaluating any 
allowable activities. No changes were made to the final rule.

Program Requirements

    Comments: One commenter suggested removing any restrictions to 
haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production, stating that there 
should not be any restrictions on GRP land due to nesting season. The 
commenter also suggested that restrictions during the nesting season 
may be considered as part of a grazing management plan only if it is in 
the interest of the landowner.
    Response: These restrictions are required by section 1238O(d)(1)(B) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended. Haying, mowing, or 
harvesting for seed production were made permissible activities 
provided appropriate restrictions were in place to protect birds in the 
local area that are in significant decline or are conserved in 
accordance with Federal or State law. No changes were made to the final 
rule.
    Comments: Several commenters suggested adding the words other 
animals after birds in the restriction to haying, mowing, or harvesting 
for seed production in Sec.  1415(h)(2).
    Response: Haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production may 
impact habitat for grassland dependent bird species if done during the 
nesting season in some areas. USDA agrees that other animals may also 
be impacted in local areas. The State Conservationist has authority to 
determine these impacts based upon species concerns at the local level. 
No changes were made to the final rule.
    Comments: Two commenters suggested adding ``and related 
conservation values'' in Sec.  1415.4(i)(1) and Sec.  1415.4(i)(2). One 
of the commenters also suggested that orchards be specifically 
prohibited.
    Response: USDA agrees that consistent terms should be used in both 
Sec.  1415.4(i)(1) and Sec.  1415.4(i)(2) and so has added the phrase 
``and related conservation values'' to both sections in the final rule. 
Because orchards include fruit trees, as well as other agricultural 
commodities such as nuts, USDA has revised Sec.  1415.4(i)(1) to read: 
``The production of crops (other than hay), orchards, vineyards, or 
other agricultural commodity that is inconsistent with maintaining 
grazing land and related conservation values.''

Ranking

    Comments: Three commenters requested USDA insert in Sec.  
1415.8(i)(2) the words ``with advice from the State Technical 
Committee'' after USDA to ensure informed decisions regarding high 
ecological value and significant threats.
    Response: USDA accepts the comment and has revised Sec.  
1415.8(i)(2) accordingly.
    Comments: Section 1415.8(i)(4) provides that expired CRP land 
enrolled under the CRP priority will not exceed 10 percent of the total 
number of acres accepted for enrollment in GRP in any year. Three 
commenters requested

[[Page 73924]]

USDA insert national before enrollment so that the CRP 10 percent 
limitation is managed at a national level. Another commenter requested 
USDA limit use of the CRP priority enrollment to areas where there is 
little or no remnant native prairie available.
    Response: Because the CRP enrollment is managed nationally, the 
suggested change was made to Sec.  1415.8(i)(4). USDA supports 
decisionmaking at the lowest level reasonable and believes that States 
with expiring CRP acres in areas with little or no remnant native 
prairie will rank these applications appropriately.
    Comments: USDA received multiple requests to give the highest 
priority to native grasslands.
    Response: No changes were made to the final rule. The statutory 
language does not restrict GRP to native grassland systems. There are 
situations in which the native habitat has been destroyed and 
introduced species are utilized to protect soil resources. The 
insertion of the term native would create a barrier for participation 
in those situations. Additionally, the GRP management plan addresses 
plant composition and is written to accomplish grazing management 
objectives, including biodiversity.

Restoration Agreements

    The interim final rule in Sec.  1415.11(g) provides if the 
participant is receiving cost-share for the same conservation practice 
or activity from another conservation program, USDA will adjust the GRP 
cost-share rate proportionately so that the amount received by the 
participant does not exceed 100 percent of the costs of restoration. 
The participant cannot receive cost-share from more than one USDA cost-
share program for the same conservation practice or activity on the 
same land.
    Comments: Two commenters recommended changing another conservation 
program to another Federal source. USDA and the States need the ability 
to use other non-Federal funding sources and opportunities to 
facilitate implementation. Both commenters also expressed that the 
paragraph was confusing as written.
    Response: To reduce confusion, NRCS separated Sec.  1415.11(g) into 
two paragraphs, paragraphs (g) and (h), to read as follows:

    ``(g) If the participant is receiving cost-share for the same 
conservation practice or activity from another conservation program, 
USDA will adjust the GRP cost-share rate proportionately so that the 
amount received by the participant does not exceed 100 percent of 
the costs of restoration.
    (h) The participant cannot receive cost-share from more than one 
USDA cost-share program for the same conservation practice or 
activity on the same land.

    Regarding the cost-share limitation language, USDA believes that 
the Federal cost-share assistance contribution should not enable a 
participant to receive more than 100 percent of the cost of the 
practice, no matter what the source. No changes were made to the final 
rule.

Windmills

    Comments: In response to USDA's specific request for public comment 
on its policy related to windmill placement, the following comments 
were received:
    (a) The GRP statute does not specifically address wind turbines or 
renewable energy within context of GRP. It is not authorized. Based on 
soil disturbance and associated road infrastructure needed for 
maintenance, as well as potential power substations, wind turbines 
should not be allowed with GRP. Wind turbines are not consistent with 
the GRP purpose to protect grazing uses and related conservation values 
or priority to land that could provide habitat for animal or plant 
populations of significant ecological value.
    (b) USDA should revise the preamble to read:

     * * * USDA will follow the guidelines being developed by the 
USFWS on avoiding and minimizing wildlife impacts from wind 
turbines. Until the guidelines are published, USDA will assess 
potential wildlife impacts in coordination with USFWS and the 
appropriate State fish and wildlife agency before authorizing any 
wind power generation facilities (on-farm or off-farm) on GRP lands. 
USDA will authorize power generation facilities only when the 
footprint of the facility and related infrastructure would have a 
minimal impact on the nature of the grazing lands and other 
conservation values obtained through the contract or easement.

    (c) One commenter was encouraged by open communication and 
coordination between USDA and interested stakeholders to develop a 
consistent process for determining impacts from wind and solar 
generation and related infrastructure to grassland and migratory 
wildlife and other natural resources. The commenter expressed support 
for USDA following USFWS guidelines to minimize wildlife impacts in 
landscapes where wind energy development is pursued. The commenter 
asked that USDA consider site-specific scale of energy generation 
facilities and impact on original intent and purpose of GRP.
    (d) The siting of wind power generation facilities must be 
consistent with the voluntary program's goal of protecting grassland 
for which grazing is the predominant use. Clearly, wind power 
generation for any end-user is consistent with a voluntary grazing 
program. The final rule should acknowledge this. Requirements for an 
onsite evaluation to determine potential impacts from wind generation 
on threatened and endangered species or at-risk species, etc. should be 
removed. In addition Sec.  1415.4(i)(3) also prohibits wind power 
generation and should be removed from the final rule. It should make no 
difference to USDA if the wind power is being generated for on-farm use 
or for sale to electrical generators.
    (e) One commenter recommended that existing or future State or 
Federal regulatory siting documents be used for wind energy 
developments proposed on GRP easements to minimize adverse effects on 
biodiversity.
    (f) Impact to wildlife and habitat from power generation facilities 
are often cumulative across the landscape. The commenter recommended 
analyses conducted on a case-by-case basis that includes larger, 
landscape consideration as part of the NEPA review. NRCS will still 
have to coordinate with USFWS and the appropriate State fish and 
wildlife agency in order to allow power generation facilities that do 
not adversely affect biodiversity.
    (g) Multiple comments were received that NRCS should consult with 
USFWS until the guidelines for windmill sitings are finalized. Some 
recommended USDA revise Sec.  1415.4(h)(5) to read: ``In addition, USDA 
will follow the guidelines being developed by the USFWS on avoiding and 
minimizing wildlife impacts from wind turbines. USDA will authorize 
wind power facilities only when the footprint of the facility and 
related infrastructure would have a minimal impact on the nature of the 
grazing lands and other conservation values obtained through the 
contract or easement.''
    (h) Four commenters agreed with the language in the interim final 
rule that limits consideration for windmill placement to on-farm use 
only. Another commended USDA for limiting wind power development on GRP 
easements. Footprint and associated disturbance can have adverse 
effects on biological diversity, a purpose of the program.
    (i) One commenter expressed that there may be instances for the 
marketing of excess electricity generation from smaller wind turbines 
and other renewable energy structures such as hydroelectric facilities 
and solar panels (designed for on-farm use) through net-metering or 
parallel electricity generation. USDA should consider

[[Page 73925]]

allowing such small-scale use on GRP lands and allowing landowners to 
utilize the various renewable energy sources that are available, as 
long as they do not adversely impact the conservation values.
    Response: USDA will consider potential renewable energy on GRP 
lands when the scope and scale of the facility and associated 
infrastructure is consistent with protection of grazing uses and 
related conservation values. A site-specific analysis of the potential 
environmental effects will be conducted in consultation with the USFWS. 
USDA will not authorize any renewable energy generating facilities on 
GRP lands unless USDA determines, based on a site-specific NEPA 
environmental analysis conducted in coordination with USFWS and the 
appropriate State fish and wildlife agency, that there will be no 
adverse effect on threatened, endangered, or other at-risk species, 
migratory wildlife, or related natural resources, cultural resources, 
or the human environment or when the impacts of such facilities can be 
mitigated to a level of non-significance. Furthermore, USDA will only 
authorize power generation facilities after evaluating their site-
specific and cumulative environmental effects, whether a reasonable 
alternative exists, whether there is a compelling public need, whether 
the purposes for which the easement was acquired can be maintained, and 
the degree to which the footprint of the facility and related 
infrastructure impacts the nature of the grazing lands and other 
conservation values obtained through the contract or easement. No 
changes were made to the final rule.

Other

    Comments: Several comments were received regarding the content of 
the GRP conservation easement deed. One commenter recommended that USDA 
omit the language in the deed that prohibits any activity that breaks 
the surface of the soil. Another commenter suggested that USDA's 
easement template deed be modified, and urged USDA to consider 
submitting a draft GRP easement deed for public review and comment 
before sign-up begins.
    Another commenter suggested that language be added to allow for 
periodic inspection upon appropriate notice to the landowner in Sec.  
1415.18(b). Another commenter suggested that requiring notices to be in 
writing and personally delivered or sent by certified return receipt 
would be over-burdensome and that electronic e-mail correspondence 
would be sufficient.
    Response: With the changes made to GRP by section 2403 of the 2008 
Act, the GRP deed was changed, and the prohibition against breaking the 
surface of the soil was removed. Other changes include the requirement 
that all GRP easements will be permanent or the maximum duration 
allowed under State law. The GRP template deed ensures legal 
requirements of the authorizing legislation are met and is reviewed by 
USDA attorneys for legal sufficiency. USDA may also accept conservation 
easements owned, written, and enforced by eligible entities through a 
cooperative agreement. All GRP deeds require notification to the 
landowner prior to entering the property. In Sec.  1415.18(b), if USDA 
transfers title of ownership of an easement to an eligible entity, the 
terms and conditions of the deed remain in force, thus USDA or the 
eligible entity will be required to notify a landowner prior to 
entering a property. USDA has an established deed review process. No 
changes were made to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter questioned the need to require prior 
approval in writing for every instance of applying animal waste to 
property subject to a GRP easement.
    Response: The required GRP management plan addresses application of 
animal waste and can be updated with changes to the grazing management 
system. A written approval is not required for each instance of 
applying animal waste or fertilizer. The GRP deed supports the program 
requirement of a written grazing management plan. No changes were made 
to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter points out that grasslands desirable for 
GRP participation are in remote areas where future public utility 
access may be unavoidable. The commenter supports the prohibition of 
development, but suggests that a total prohibition will invite 
unnecessary conflicts between public utility interests, neighbors, 
governments, and GRP participants. The commenter suggested language 
that ensures that any public utility access must be done in a manner 
that maintains the grassland and that other conservation values is 
sufficient to preserve the objectives of the program.
    Response: USDA understands the commenter's concerns and is aware 
that easement deeds typically include modification provisions if the 
modification serves the conservation purposes of the easement. USDA 
does not currently have legal authority to change the substantive terms 
of a GRP conservation easement once it has been recorded. Specifically, 
modifications that would not result in acquisition or divestiture of 
additional property rights cannot be made. USDA will not knowingly 
enroll GRP easements in areas located along potential right-of-ways for 
infrastructure projects and will include adequate buffers on existing 
infrastructure to allow for inevitable expansion. Additionally, the 
current deed will allow for utility easements that service the needs of 
the landowner's operation.
    Comments: One commenter says that controlling wildlife damage is a 
critical factor in maintaining the success of American agriculture and 
suggests language that recognizes the lawful ability of landowners to 
remove trees, brush, and wildlife that may be jeopardizing agricultural 
or livestock enterprises.
    Response: USDA understands the rights of private landowners and 
utilizes conservation easements on a voluntary basis. GRP assists 
landowners and operators in protecting grazing uses and related 
conservation values. Protection of related conservation values, such as 
habitat for wildlife under GRP, may not be consistent with some 
landowner's desires. Consequently, USDA encourages landowners and 
operators to consider their decision to enroll in any conservation 
easement program carefully. No changes were made to the final rule.
    Comments: One commenter requested clarification that the 
regulations require consultation with Indian Tribes when actions USDA 
funds off the reservation directly impact a treaty reserved resource of 
the Tribes.
    Response: USDA will comply with section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act and all applicable Federal laws, including 
treaties and executive orders. No changes were made to the final rule.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1415

    Administrative practice and procedure, agriculture, soil 
conservation, grassland, grassland protection, grazing land protection.

0
For reasons stated above, the CCC revises part 1415 of Title 7 of the 
CFR to read as follows:

PART 1415--GRASSLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM

Sec.
1415.1 Purpose.
1415.2 Administration.
1415.3 Definitions.
1415.4 Program requirements.
1415.5 Land eligibility.
1415.6 Participant eligibility.
1415.7 Application procedures.
1415.8 Establishing priority for enrollment of properties.

[[Page 73926]]

1415.9 Enrollment of easements and rental contracts.
1415.10 Compensation for easements and rental contracts acquired by 
the Secretary.
1415.11 Restoration agreements.
1415.12 Modifications to easements and rental contracts.
1415.13 Transfer of land.
1415.14 Misrepresentation and violations.
1415.15 Payments not subject to claims.
1415.16 Assignments.
1415.17 Cooperative agreements.
1415.18 Easement transfer to eligible entities.
1415.19 Appeals.
1415.20 Scheme or device.


    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3838n-3838q.


Sec.  1415.1  Purpose.

    (a) The purpose of the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is to assist 
landowners and operators in protecting grazing uses and related 
conservation values by conserving and restoring grassland resources on 
eligible private lands through rental contracts, easements, and 
restoration agreements.
    (b) GRP emphasizes:
    (1) Supporting grazing operations;
    (2) Maintaining and improving plant and animal biodiversity; and
    (3) Protecting grasslands and shrublands from the threat of 
conversion to uses other than grazing.


Sec.  1415.2  Administration.

    (a) The regulations in this part set forth policies, procedures, 
and requirements for program implementation of GRP, as administered by 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service 
Agency (FSA). The regulations in this part are administered under the 
general supervision and direction of the NRCS Chief and the FSA 
Administrator. These two agency leaders:
    (1) Concur in the establishment of program policy and direction, 
development of the national allocation formula, and development of 
broad national ranking criteria;
    (2) Use a national allocation formula to provide GRP funds to NRCS 
State Conservationists and FSA State Executive Directors that 
emphasizes support for grazing operations, biodiversity of plants and 
animals, and grasslands under the greatest threat of conversion to uses 
other than grazing. The national allocation formula may also include 
additional factors related to improving program implementation, as 
determined by the NRCS Chief and the FSA Administrator. The allocation 
formula may be modified periodically to change the emphasis of any 
factor(s) in order to address a particular natural resource concern, 
such as the precipitous decline of a population of a grassland-
dependent bird(s) or animal(s);
    (3) Ensure the national, State, and local-level information 
regarding program implementation is made available to the public;
    (4) Consult with USDA leaders at the State level and other Federal 
agencies with the appropriate expertise and information when evaluating 
program policies and direction; and
    (5) Authorize NRCS State Conservationists and FSA State Executive 
Directors to determine how funds will be used and how the program will 
be implemented at the State level.
    (b) At the State level, the NRCS State Conservationist and the FSA 
State Executive Director are jointly responsible for:
    (1) Determining how funds will be used and how the program will be 
implemented at the State level to achieve the program purposes;
    (2) Identifying State priorities for project selection based on 
input from the State Technical Committee;
    (3) Identifying Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees at the 
field level responsible for implementing the program by considering the 
nature and extent of natural resource concerns throughout the State and 
the availability of human resources to assist with activities related 
to program enrollment;
    (4) Developing, with advice from the State Technical Committee, 
program outreach materials at the State and local levels to help ensure 
landowners, operators, and tenants of eligible land are aware and 
informed that they may be eligible for the program;
    (5) Approving conservation practices eligible for cost-share and 
cost-share rates;
    (6) Developing GRP management plans and restoration agreements, 
when applicable;
    (7) Administering and enforcing the terms of easements and rental 
contracts unless this responsibility is transferred to an eligible 
entity as provided in Sec.  1415.17 and Sec.  1415.18; and
    (8) Developing, with advice from the State Technical Committee, 
criteria for ranking eligible land consistent with national criteria 
and program objectives and State priorities.
    (c) The funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation (CCC) are available to NRCS and FSA to implement GRP.
    (d) Subject to funding availability, the program may be implemented 
in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American 
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    (e) The NRCS Chief or the FSA Administrator may modify or waive a 
provision of this part if he or she deems the application of that 
provision to a particular limited situation to be inappropriate and 
inconsistent with the conservation purposes and sound administration of 
GRP. This authority cannot be further delegated. No provision of this 
part, which is required by law, may be waived.
    (f) No delegation in this part to lower organizational levels will 
preclude the NRCS Chief or the FSA Administrator from determining any 
issue arising under this part or from reversing or modifying any 
determination arising from this part.
    (g) The USDA Forest Service may hold GRP easements on properties 
adjacent to USDA Forest Service land, with the consent of the 
landowner.
    (h) Program participation is voluntary.
    (i) Applications for participation will be accepted on a continual 
basis at local USDA Service Centers. Eligible entities wishing to enter 
into a cooperative agreement under Sec.  1415.17 in order to purchase, 
own, write, and hold easements may apply on a continuous basis to the 
NRCS State Conservationist. The NRCS State Conservationist and FSA 
State Executive Director will establish cut-off periods to rank and 
select applications for participation. These cut-off periods will be 
available in program outreach material provided by the local USDA 
Service Center. Once funding levels have been exhausted, unfunded 
eligible applications will remain on file until they are funded or the 
applicant chooses to be removed from consideration.
    (j) The services of third parties as provided for in part 652 of 
this title may be used to provide technical services to participants.


Sec.  1415.3  Definitions.

    Activity means an action other than a conservation practice that is 
included as a part of a GRP management or conservation plan that has 
the effect of alleviating problems or improving treatment of the 
resources, including ensuring proper management or maintenance of the 
functions and values restored, protected, or enhanced through an 
easement or rental contract.
    Administrator means the Administrator of FSA or the person 
delegated authority to act for the Administrator.
    Applicant means a person, legal entity, joint operator, or Indian 
Tribe who applies to participate in the program.

[[Page 73927]]

    Chief means the Chief of NRCS or designee.
    Biological diversity means the variety and variability among living 
organisms and the ecological complexes in which they live.
    Commodity Credit Corporation is a government-owned and operated 
entity that was created to stabilize, support, and protect farm income 
and prices. The CCC is managed by a Board of Directors, subject to the 
general supervision and direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, who 
is an ex-officio director and chairperson of the Board. The CCC 
provides the funding for GRP, and FSA and NRCS administer GRP on its 
behalf.
    Common grazing practices means those grazing practices, including 
those related to forage and seed production, common to the area of the 
subject ranching or farming operation. Included are routine management 
activities necessary to maintain the viability of forage or browse 
resources that are common to the locale of the subject ranching or 
farming operation.
    Conservation district means any district or unit of State, Tribal, 
or local government formed under State, Tribal, or territorial law for 
the express purpose of developing and carrying out a local soil and 
water conservation program. Such district or unit of government may be 
referred to as a conservation district, soil conservation district, 
soil and water conservation district, resource conservation district, 
natural resource district, land conservation committee, or similar 
name.
    Conservation plan means a record of the GRP participants' decisions 
and supporting information that will be developed to address resource 
concerns in addition to grazing land uses. The conservation plan will 
describe the implementation and maintenance of GRP management and 
conservation practices directly related to any additional land 
eligibility criteria under which the land is enrolled. Additional land 
eligibility criteria may include, but is not limited to, significant 
animal or plant habitat and historical or archeological resources.
    Conservation practice means a specified treatment, such as a 
vegetative, structural, or land management practice, that is planned 
and applied according to NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) 
standards and specifications.
    Conservation values means those natural resource attributes that 
sustain and enhance ecosystem functions and values of the grassland 
area including, but not limited to, habitat for grassland and shrubland 
dependent plants and animals, native plant and animal biodiversity, 
soil erosion control, forage production, and air and water quality 
protection.
    Cost-share payment means the payment made by USDA to a program 
participant or vendor to achieve the restoration, enhancement, and 
protection goals in accordance with the GRP restoration plan component 
of the restoration agreement.
    Dedicated account means a dedicated fund of the eligible entity 
held in a separate account for the management, monitoring, and 
enforcement of conservation easements and that cannot be used for other 
purposes.
    Easement means a conservation easement, which is an interest in 
land defined and delineated in a deed whereby the landowner conveys 
certain rights, title, and interests in a property to the United 
States, an eligible entity, or both for the purpose of protecting the 
grassland and other conservation values of the property. Under GRP, the 
property rights are conveyed by a conservation easement deed.
    Easement area means the land encumbered by an easement.
    Easement payment means the consideration paid to a landowner for an 
easement conveyed to the United States, an eligible entity, or both 
under GRP.
    Eligible entity means, for the purposes of entering into a 
cooperative agreement under 16 U.S.C. 3838q(d), an agency of State or 
local government, an Indian Tribe, or a nongovernmental organization 
that has the relevant experience necessary, as appropriate for the 
application, to administer an easement on grassland, land that contains 
forbs, or shrubland; has a charter that describes a commitment to 
conserving ranchland, agricultural land, or grassland for grazing and 
conservation purposes; and has the resources necessary to effectuate 
the purposes of the charter.
    Enhancement means to increase or improve the viability of grassland 
and grazing resources, including habitat for declining species of 
grassland dependent birds and animals.
    Farm Service Agency is an agency of the Department of Agriculture.
    FSA State Executive Director means the FSA employee authorized to 
implement GRP and direct and supervise FSA activities in a State, 
Caribbean Area, or the Pacific Islands Area.
    Field Office Technical Guide means the official local NRCS source 
of resource information and interpretations of guidelines, criteria, 
and requirements for planning and applying conservation practices and 
conservation management systems. It contains detailed information on 
the conservation of soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources 
applicable to the local area for which it is prepared.
    Fire pre-suppression means activities as outlined in a GRP 
management plan such as the establishment and maintenance of firebreaks 
and prescribed burning to prevent or limit the spread of fires.
    Forb means any herbaceous plant other than those in the grass 
family.
    Functions and values of grasslands and shrublands means ecosystem 
services provided, including domestic animal productivity, biological 
productivity, plant and animal richness and diversity, fish and 
wildlife habitat (including habitat for pollinators and native 
insects), water quality and quantity benefits, aesthetics, open space, 
and recreation.
    Grantor means the landowner who is transferring land rights to the 
United States or an eligible entity, or both through an easement.
    Grassland means land on which the vegetation is dominated by 
grasses, grass-like plants, shrubs, or forbs, including shrubland, land 
that contains forbs, pastureland, and rangeland, and improved 
pastureland and rangeland.
    GRP management plan means the document developed by NRCS that 
describes the implementation of the grazing management system 
consistent with the prescribed grazing standard contained in the FOTG. 
The GRP management plan will include a description of the grazing 
management system, permissible and prohibited activities, any 
associated restoration plan or conservation plan, if applicable, and a 
description of USDA's right of ingress and egress.
    Grazing value means the financial worth of the land as used for 
grazing or forage production. The term is used in the calculation of 
compensation for rental contracts and easements. For easements, this 
value is determined by NRCS through an appraisal process or a market 
survey process. For rental contracts, FSA determines the grazing value 
based upon an administrative process.
    Historical and archeological resources mean resources that are:
    (1) Listed in the National Register of Historic Places (established 
under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 U.S.C. 470, et 
seq.);
    (2) Formally determined eligible for listing the National Register 
of Historic Places by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) or 
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) and Keeper

[[Page 73928]]

of the National Register in accordance with section 106 or the NHPA);
    (3) Formally listed in the State or Tribal Register of Historic 
Places of the SHPO (designated under section 101(b)(1)(B) of the NHPA) 
or the Tribal Register of Historic Places (designated under section 
101(d)(1)(C) of the NHPA); or
    (4) Included in the SPHO or THPO inventory with written 
justification as to why it meets National Register of Historic Places 
criteria.
    Improved rangeland or pastureland means grazing land permanently 
producing naturalized forage species that receives varying degrees of 
periodic cultural treatment to enhance forage quality and yields and is 
primarily harvested by grazing animals.
    Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other 
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or 
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) 
that is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the 
United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    Landowner means a person, legal entity, or Indian Tribe having 
legal ownership of land and those who may be buying eligible land under 
a purchase agreement. The term landowner may include all forms of 
collective ownership including joint tenants, tenants-in-common, and 
life tenants. The term landowner includes Indian Tribes. State 
governments, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations that 
qualify as eligible entities are not eligible as landowners.
    Legal entity means an entity created under Federal or State law and 
that: (1) Owns land or an agricultural commodity, product, or 
livestock; or (2) produces an agricultural commodity, product, or 
livestock.
    Maintenance means work performed to keep the applied conservation 
practice functioning for the intended purpose during its life span. 
Maintenance includes work to manage and prevent deterioration, repair 
damage, or replace the practice to its original condition if one or 
more components fail.
    Native means a species that is indigenous and is a part of the 
original fauna or flora of the area.
    Natural Resources Conservation Service is an agency of the 
Department of Agriculture.
    NRCS State Conservationist means the NRCS employee authorized to 
implement GRP and direct and supervise NRCS activities in a State, 
Caribbean Area, or the Pacific Islands Area.
    Naturalized means an introduced, desirable forage species that is 
ecologically adapted to the site and can perpetuate itself in the 
community without cultural treatment. The term naturalized does not 
include noxious weeds.
    Nesting season means the time of year that grassland dependent 
birds in significant decline in the local area build nests or otherwise 
find a place of refuge for purposes of reproduction.
    Nongovernmental organization means any organization that:
    (1) Is organized for, and at all times since, the formation of the 
organization, and has been operated principally for one or more of the 
conservation purposes specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of 
section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
    (2) Is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of that Code 
that is exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code; and
    (3) Is described--
    (i) In section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of that Code, or
    (ii) Is described in section 509(a)(3) of that Code and is 
controlled by an organization described in section 509(a)(2) of that 
Code.
    Participant means a person, legal entity, joint operation, or 
Indian Tribe who is accepted to participate in GRP through a rental 
contract or option agreement to purchase an easement.
    Pastureland means grazing lands comprised of introduced or 
domesticated native forage species that are used primarily for the 
production of livestock. These lands receive periodic renovation and 
cultural treatments, such as tillage, aeration, fertilization, mowing, 
and weed control, and may be irrigated. This term does not include 
lands that are in rotation with crops.
    Permanent easement means an easement that lasts in perpetuity or 
for the maximum duration allowed under the law of a State.
    Private land means land that is not owned by a governmental entity 
and includes Tribal lands.
    Purchase price means the amount paid to acquire an easement under a 
cooperative agreement between NRCS and an eligible entity. It is the 
fair market value of the easement.
    Rangeland means a land cover or use category with a climax or 
potential plant cover composed principally of native grasses, grass-
like plants, forbs, or shrubs suitable for grazing and browsing, and 
introduced forage species that are managed like rangeland. Rangeland 
includes lands re-vegetated naturally or artificially when routine 
management of that vegetation is accomplished mainly through 
manipulation of grazing. This term includes areas where introduced 
hardy and persistent grasses are planted and such practices as deferred 
grazing, burning, chaining, and rotational grazing are used with little 
or no chemicals or fertilizer being applied. Grasslands, savannas, many 
wetlands, some deserts, and tundra are considered to be rangeland. 
Certain communities of low forbs and shrubs, such as mesquite, 
chaparral, mountain shrub, and pinyon juniper are also included as 
rangeland.
    Rental contract means the legal document that specifies the 
obligations and rights of a participant in GRP, including the annual 
rental payments to be provided to the participant for the length of the 
contract to maintain or restore grassland functions and values under 
GRP.
    Restoration means implementing any conservation practice, system of 
practices, or activities to restore functions and values of grasslands 
and shrublands. The restoration may re-establish grassland functions 
and values on degraded land, or on land that has been converted to 
another use.
    Restoration agreement means an agreement between the program 
participant and NRCS or eligible entity to carry out activities and 
conservation practices necessary to restore or improve the functions 
and values of that land. A restoration agreement will include a 
restoration plan.
    Restoration plan is the portion of the restoration agreement that 
includes the schedule and conservation practices and activities to 
restore the functions and values of grasslands and shrublands, 
including protection of associated streams, ponds, and wetlands. The 
restoration plan incorporates the requirement that program participants 
will maintain GRP-funded conservation practices and activities for 
their expected lifespan as described in the plan.
    Right of enforcement means a property interest in the easement the 
Chief may exercise on behalf of the United States under specific 
circumstances in order to enforce the terms of the conservation 
easement. The right of enforcement provides that the Chief has the 
right to inspect and enforce the easement if the eligible entity fails 
to uphold the easement or attempts to transfer the easement without 
first securing the consent of the Secretary.
    Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

[[Page 73929]]

    Shrubland means land where the dominant plant species is shrubs, 
which are plants that are persistent, have woody stems, and a 
relatively low growth habit.
    Significant decline means a decrease of a species population to 
such an extent that it merits conservation priority as determined by 
the State Conservationist, in consultation with the State Technical 
Committee.
    State Technical Committee means a committee established by the 
Secretary in a State pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3861.
    Tribal land means:
    (1) Land held in trust by the United States for individual Indians 
or Indian Tribes; or
    (2) Land, the title to which is held by individual Indians or 
Indian Tribes subject to Federal restrictions against alienation or 
encumbrance; or
    (3) Land which is subject to rights of use, occupancy, and benefit 
of certain Indian Tribes; or
    (4) Land held in fee title by an Indian, Indian family, or Indian 
Tribe.
    USDA means the Department of Agriculture and its agencies and 
offices, as applicable.


Sec.  1415.4  Program requirements.

    (a) Except as provided for under Sec.  1415.17, only landowners may 
submit applications for easements. For rental contracts, applicants 
must own or provide written evidence of control of the property for the 
duration of the rental contract.
    (b) The easement or rental contract will require that the area be 
maintained in accordance with GRP goals and objectives for the term of 
the easement or rental contract, including the conservation, 
protection, enhancement, and if necessary, restoration of the grassland 
functions and values.
    (c) All participants in GRP are required to implement a GRP 
management plan approved by NRCS. When an eligible entity holds the GRP 
easement, NRCS will develop GRP management plans with eligible 
entities. In cases where a participant receives ranking points on the 
basis of resource concerns other than grazing land concerns, all such 
resource concerns will be addressed in an applicable conservation plan.
    (d) The easement or rental contract must grant USDA or its 
representatives a right of ingress and egress to the easement or rental 
contract area. For easements, this access is legally described by the 
conservation easement deed and the GRP management plan. Access to 
rental contract areas is identified in the GRP management plan.
    (e) Easement participants are required to convey unencumbered title 
that is acceptable to the United States and provide consent or 
subordination agreements from each holder of a security or other 
interest in the land. The landowner must warrant that the easement 
granted the United States or eligible entity is superior to the rights 
of all others, except for exceptions to the title that are deemed 
acceptable by USDA.
    (f) Landowners are required to use a standard GRP conservation 
easement deed developed by USDA or developed by an eligible entity and 
approved by USDA under Sec.  1415.17 of this part. The easement grants 
development rights, title, and interest in the easement area in order 
to protect grassland and other conservation values.
    (g) The program participant must comply with the terms of the 
easement or rental contract, and comply with all terms and conditions 
of the GRP management plan and any associated conservation plan or 
restoration agreement.
    (h) Easements and rental contracts allow, consistent with their 
terms and the program purposes, the following activities as outlined in 
the GRP management plan:
    (1) Common grazing practices, including maintenance and necessary 
conservation practices and activities (e.g., prescribed grazing; upland 
wildlife habitat management; prescribed burning; fencing, watering, and 
feeding necessary for the raising of livestock; and related forage and 
seed production) on the land in a manner that is consistent with 
maintaining the viability of grassland, forb, and shrub species common 
to the locality;
    (2) Haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production subject to 
appropriate restrictions, as determined by the State Conservationist, 
during the nesting season for birds in the local area that are in 
significant decline, or are conserved in accordance with Federal or 
State law;
    (3) Fire pre-suppression, rehabilitation, and construction of 
firebreaks;
    (4) Grazing related activities, such as fencing and livestock 
watering facilities;
    (5) Facilities for power generation through renewable sources of 
energy production provided the scope and scale of the footprint of the 
facility and associated infrastructure is consistent with program 
purposes as determined by USDA through analysis of the potential site-
specific environmental effects; and
    (6) Other activities that USDA determines the manner, number, 
intensity, location, operation, and other features associated with the 
activity will not adversely affect the grassland resources or related 
conservation values protected under an easement or rental contract. 
This includes infrastructure development along existing right-of-ways 
where the easement deed allows the landowner to grant right-of-ways 
when it is determined by NRCS that granting such right-of-ways are in 
the public interest, that grassland resources and related conservation 
values will not be adversely impacted, and the landowner agrees to a 
restoration plan for the disturbed area as developed by NRCS, but at no 
cost to NRCS. This also includes undeveloped, passive, recreational 
uses such as hiking, camping, bird watching, hunting, and fishing as 
long as such uses, as determined by the grantee, do not impair the 
grazing uses and other conservation values.
    (i) Easement and rental contracts prohibit the following 
activities:
    (1) The production of crops (other than hay), orchards, vineyards, 
or other agricultural commodity that is inconsistent with maintaining 
grazing land and related conservation values; and
    (2) Except as permitted under a restoration plan, the conduct of 
any other activity that would be inconsistent with maintaining grazing 
uses and related conservation values protected under an easement or 
rental contract.
    (j) Rental contracts may be terminated by USDA without penalty or 
refund if the original participant dies, is declared legally 
incompetent, or is otherwise unavailable during the contract period.
    (k) Participants, with the agreement of USDA, may convert a rental 
contract to an easement, provided that funds are available and the 
project meets conditions established by USDA. Land cannot be enrolled 
in both a rental contract option and an easement enrollment option at 
the same time. The rental contract will be terminated prior to the date 
the easement is recorded in the local land records office.
    (l) Rental contract participants are required to suspend any 
existing cropland base and allotment history for the land under another 
program administered by the Secretary.
    (m) Easement participants are required to eliminate any existing 
cropland base and allotment history for the land under another program 
administered by the Secretary.


Sec.  1415.5  Land eligibility.

    (a) GRP is available on privately owned lands, which include 
private and Tribal land. Publicly owned land is not eligible.
    (b) Land is eligible for funding consideration if the State

[[Page 73930]]

Conservationist determines that the land is:
    (1) Grassland, land that contains forbs or shrubland (including 
improved rangeland and pastureland) for which grazing is the 
predominant use; or
    (2) Located in an area that has been historically dominated by 
grassland, forbs, or shrubland, and the State Conservationist, with 
advice from the State Technical Committee, determines that it is 
compatible with grazing uses and related conservation values, and
    (i) Could provide habitat for animal or plant populations of 
significant ecological value if the land is retained in its current use 
or is restored to a natural condition,
    (ii) Contains historical or archeological resources, or
    (iii) Would address issues raised by State, regional, and national 
conservation priorities.
    (c) Incidental lands, in conjunction with eligible land, may also 
be considered for enrollment to allow for the efficient administration 
of an easement or rental contract. Incidental lands may include 
relatively small areas that do not specifically meet the eligibility 
requirements, but as a part of the land unit, may contribute to 
grassland functions and values and related conservation values, or its 
inclusion may increase efficiencies in land surveying, easement 
management, and monitoring by reducing irregular boundaries.
    (d) Land will not be enrolled if the functions and values of the 
grassland are already protected under an existing contract, easement, 
or deed restriction, or if the land already is in ownership by an 
entity whose purpose is to protect and conserve grassland and related 
conservation values. This land becomes eligible for enrollment in GRP 
if the existing contract, easement, or deed restriction expires or is 
terminated, and the grassland values and functions are no longer 
protected.
    (e) Land on which gas, oil, earth, or other mineral rights 
exploration has been leased or is owned by someone other than the 
applicant may be offered for participation in the program. However, if 
an applicant submits an offer for an easement project, USDA will assess 
the potential impact that the third party rights may have upon the 
grassland resources. USDA reserves the right to deny funding for any 
application where there are exceptions to clear title on the property.


Sec.  1415.6  Participant eligibility.

    To be eligible to participate in GRP, an applicant, except as 
otherwise described in Sec.  1415.17:
    (a) Must be a landowner for easement participation or be a 
landowner or have control of the eligible acreage being offered for 
rental contract participation;
    (b) Agree to provide such information to USDA that is necessary or 
desirable to assist in its determination of eligibility for program 
benefits and for other program implementation purposes;
    (c) Meet the Adjusted Gross Income requirements in 7 CFR part 1400 
of this title, unless exempted under part 1400 of this title;
    (d) Meet the conservation compliance requirements found in part 12 
of this title; and
    (e) Comply with applicable registration and reporting requirements 
of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 
(Pub. L. 109-282, as amended) and 3 CFR parts 25 and 170.


Sec.  1415.7  Application procedures.

    (a) Applicants, except as otherwise described under Sec.  1415.17, 
may submit an application through a USDA Service Center for 
participation in GRP. Applications may be submitted throughout the 
year.
    (b) By filing an application for participation, the applicant 
consents to a USDA representative entering upon the land offered for 
enrollment for purposes of assessing the grassland functions and values 
and for other activities that are necessary for USDA to make an offer 
of enrollment. Generally, the applicant will be notified prior to a 
USDA representative entering upon their property.
    (c) Applicants submit applications that identify the duration of 
the easement or rental contract for which they seek to enroll their 
land. Rental contracts may be for the duration of 10-years, 15-years, 
or 20-years; easements may be permanent in duration or for the maximum 
duration authorized by State law.


Sec.  1415.8  Establishing priority for enrollment of properties.

    (a) USDA, at the national level, will provide to NRCS State 
Conservationists and FSA State Executive Directors, national guidelines 
for establishing State-specific ranking criteria for selection of 
applications for funding.
    (b) NRCS State Conservationists and FSA State Executive Directors, 
with advice from State Technical Committees, establish criteria to 
evaluate and rank applications for easement and rental contract 
enrollment, including applications from eligible entities under Sec.  
1415.17, following the guidance established in paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (c) Ranking criteria will emphasize support for:
    (1) Grazing operations;
    (2) Protection of grassland, land that contains forbs, and 
shrubland at the greatest risk from the threat of conversion to uses 
other than grazing;
    (3) Plant and animal biodiversity; and
    (4) In ranking parcels offered by eligible entities, these 
additional criteria will also be considered--
    (i) Leveraging of non-Federal funds, and
    (ii) Entity contributions in excess of 50 percent of the purchase 
price, as defined in Sec.  1415.3.
    (d) When funding is available, NRCS State Conservationists and FSA 
State Executive Directors will periodically select for funding the 
highest ranked applications, including applications from entities under 
Sec.  1415.17, based on applicant and land eligibility and the State-
developed ranking criteria.
    (e) NRCS State Conservationists and FSA State Executive Directors 
may establish separate ranking pools to address, for example, specific 
conservation issues raised by State, regional, and national 
conservation priorities.
    (f) The NRCS State Conservationist and FSA State Executive 
Director, with advice from the State Technical Committee, may emphasize 
enrollment of unique grasslands or specific geographic areas of the 
State.
    (g) The NRCS State Conservationist and the FSA State Executive 
Director, with advice from the State Technical Committee, will select 
applications for funding.
    (h) If available funds are insufficient to accept the highest 
ranked application, and the applicant is not interested in reducing the 
acres offered to match available funding, the State Conservationist or 
State Executive Director may select a lower ranked application that can 
be fully funded.
    (i) Land enrolled in a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract 
that is within one year of the scheduled expiration date will receive a 
priority for enrollment. To receive this priority, the following 
criteria must be met:
    (1) The land must be eligible as defined in Sec.  1415.5;
    (2) USDA, with advice from the State Technical Committee, must 
determine it is of high ecological value and under significant threat 
of conversion to uses other than grazing;
    (3) The land must be offered for easement or 20-year rental 
contract enrollment;
    (4) Expired CRP land enrolled under this priority will not exceed 
10 percent of the total number of acres accepted for

[[Page 73931]]

national enrollment in GRP in any year; and
    (5) This priority applies only up to 12 months before the scheduled 
expiration of the CRP contract.
    (j) USDA will manage the program nationally to ensure that, to the 
extent practicable, 60 percent of funds are used for the purchase of 
easements, either directly or through cooperative agreements with 
eligible entities as set forth in Sec.  1415.17 and 40 percent of funds 
are used for rental contracts.


Sec.  1415.9  Enrollment of easements and rental contracts.

    (a) Based on the priority ranking, NRCS or FSA, as appropriate, 
will notify applicants in writing of their tentative acceptance into 
the program for either rental contract or conservation easement 
options. The letter notifies the applicant of the intent to continue 
the enrollment process unless otherwise notified by the applicant. 
Enrollment under cooperative agreements is described under Sec.  
1415.17.
    (b) An offer of tentative acceptance into the program neither binds 
USDA to acquire an easement or enter into a rental contract, nor binds 
the applicant to convey an easement, enter into a rental contract, or 
agree to restoration activities.
    (c) Offer of enrollment will be through either:
    (1) An agreement to purchase an easement presented by NRCS to the 
applicant which will describe the easement, the easement terms and 
conditions, and other terms and conditions that may be required by 
NRCS; or
    (2) A rental contract will be presented by FSA to the applicant 
which will describe the contract area, the contract terms and 
conditions, and other terms and conditions that may be required by FSA.
    (d) For rental contracts, land will be considered to be enrolled in 
GRP once an FSA representative approves the GRP rental contract. FSA 
may withdraw the offer before approval of the contract due to lack of 
available funds or other reasons.
    (e) For easements, after the option agreement to purchase an 
easement is executed by NRCS and the participant, the land will be 
considered enrolled in GRP. NRCS will proceed with the development of 
the GRP management plan, conservation or restoration plan if 
applicable, and various easement acquisition activities, which may 
include conducting a legal survey of the easement area, securing 
necessary subordination agreements, procuring title insurance, and 
conducting other activities necessary to record the easement or 
implement GRP.
    (f) Prior to closing an easement, NRCS may withdraw the land from 
enrollment at any time due to lack of available funds, title concerns, 
or other reasons.


Sec.  1415.10  Compensation for easements and rental contracts acquired 
by the Secretary.

    (a) The Chief will not pay more than the fair market value of the 
land, less the grazing value of the land encumbered by the easement.
    (b) To determine this amount, the Chief will pay as compensation 
the lowest of:
    (1) The fair market value of the land encumbered by the easement as 
determined by the Chief using--
    (i) The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or
    (ii) An area-wide market analysis or market survey;
    (2) The amount corresponding to a geographical cap, as determined 
by the State Conservationist, with advice from the State Technical 
Committee; or
    (3) An offer made by the landowner.
    (c) For 10-, 15-, and 20-year rental contracts, the participant 
will receive not more than 75 percent of the grazing value in an annual 
payment for the length of the contract, as determined by FSA. As 
provided by the regulations at part 1400 of this title, payments made 
under one or more rental contracts to a person or legal entity, 
directly or indirectly, may not exceed, in the aggregate, $50,000 per 
year.
    (d) In order to provide for better uniformity among States, the 
NRCS Chief and FSA Administrator may review and adjust, as appropriate, 
State or other geographically based payment rates for rental contracts.
    (e) Easement or rental contract payments received by a participant 
will be in addition to, and not affect, the total amount of payments 
that the participant is otherwise eligible to receive under other USDA 
programs.
    (f) Easement payments will be made in a single payment to the 
landowner unless otherwise requested by the landowner.
    (g) USDA may accept and use contributions of non-Federal funds to 
support the purposes of the program. These funds are available to USDA 
without further appropriation and until expended, to carry out the 
program.
    (h) USDA recognizes that environmental benefits will be achieved by 
implementing conservation practices and activities funded through GRP, 
and that ecosystem credits may be gained as a result of implementing 
activities compatible with the purposes of a GRP easement, rental 
contract, or associated restoration agreement. USDA asserts no direct 
or indirect interest in these credits except:
    (1) In the event the participant sells or trades credits arising 
from GRP funded activities, USDA retains the authority to ensure that 
the requirements for GRP rental contracts, easements, or restoration 
agreements are met and maintained consistent with this part; and
    (2) If activities required under an ecosystem credit agreement may 
affect land covered under a GRP rental contract, easement, or 
restoration agreement, participants are required to obtain an 
assessment from USDA about the compatibility of the activity prior to 
entering into such agreements.


Sec.  1415.11  Restoration agreements.

    (a) Restoration agreements are only authorized to be used in 
conjunction with easements and rental contracts. NRCS, in consultation 
with the program participant, determines if the grassland resources are 
adequate to meet the participant's objectives and the purposes of the 
program, or if a restoration agreement is needed. Such a determination 
is also subject to the availability of funding. USDA may condition 
participation in the program upon the execution of a restoration 
agreement depending on the condition of the grassland resources. When 
the functions and values of the grassland are determined adequate by 
NRCS, a restoration agreement is not required. However, if a 
restoration agreement is required, NRCS will set the terms of the 
restoration agreement. The restoration plan component of the 
restoration agreement identifies conservation practices and activities 
necessary to restore or improve the functions and values of the 
grassland to meet both USDA and the participant's objectives and 
purposes of the program. If the functions and values of the grassland 
decline while the land is subject to a GRP easement or rental contract 
through no fault of the participant, the participant may enter into a 
restoration agreement at that time to improve the functions and values 
with USDA approval and when funds are available.
    (b) The NRCS State Conservationist, with advice from the State 
Technical Committee and in consultation with FSA, determines the 
conservation practices and activities and the cost-share percentages, 
not to exceed statutory limits available under GRP. A list of 
conservation practices and activities approved for cost-share 
assistance under GRP restoration plans is available to the public 
through the

[[Page 73932]]

local USDA Service Center. NRCS may work through the local conservation 
district with the program participant to determine the terms of the 
restoration plan. The conservation district may assist NRCS with 
determining eligible conservation practices and activities and 
approving restoration agreements.
    (c) Only approved conservation practices and activities are 
eligible for cost-sharing. Payments under the GRP restoration 
agreements may be made to the participant of not more than 50 percent 
for the cost of carrying out the conservation practices or activities. 
As provided by the regulations at part 1400 of this chapter, payments 
made under one or more restoration agreements to a person or legal 
entity, directly or indirectly, may not exceed, in the aggregate, 
$50,000 per year.
    (d) The participant is responsible for the operation and 
maintenance of conservation practices in accordance with the 
restoration agreement.
    (e) All conservation practices must be implemented in accordance 
with the FOTG.
    (f) Technical assistance is provided by NRCS, or an NRCS approved 
third party.
    (g) If the participant is receiving cost-share for the same 
conservation practice or activity from another conservation program, 
USDA will adjust the GRP cost-share rate proportionately so that the 
amount received by the participant does not exceed 100 percent of the 
costs of restoration.
    (h) The participant cannot receive cost-share from more than one 
USDA cost-share program for the same conservation practice or activity 
on the same land.
    (i) Cost-share payments may be made only upon a determination by a 
qualified individual approved by the NRCS State Conservationist that an 
eligible restoration practice has been established in compliance with 
appropriate standards and specifications.
    (j) Conservation practices and activities identified in the 
restoration plan may be implemented by the participant or other 
designee.
    (k) Cost-share payments will not be made for conservation practices 
or activities implemented or initiated prior to the approval of a 
rental contract or easement acquisition unless a written waiver is 
granted by the NRCS State Conservationist or FSA State Executive 
Director, as appropriate, prior to installation of the practice.
    (l) Upon transfer of an easement with a restoration agreement to an 
eligible entity as described in Sec.  1415.18, the entity will be 
responsible for administration of the agreement and providing funds for 
payment of any costs associated with the completion of the restoration 
agreement. The eligible entity may, with participant consent, revise an 
existing restoration agreement or develop a new restoration agreement. 
Restoration plans must be consistent with the GRP management plan or 
any associated conservation plan as described in Sec.  1415.4.
    (m) Cooperating entities under Sec.  1415.17 will be responsible 
for development, administration, and implementation costs of 
restoration plans.


Sec.  1415.12  Modifications to easements and rental contracts.

    (a) After an easement has been recorded, no substantive 
modification will be made to the easement. Modifications that would not 
result in acquisition or divestiture of additional property rights may 
be made.
    (b) State Conservationists may approve modifications for 
restoration agreements and GRP management plans or conservation plans 
where applicable, as long as the modifications do not affect the 
provisions of the easement and meet program objectives.
    (c) USDA may approve modifications to rental contracts, including 
corresponding changes to conservation plans, GRP management plans, and 
restoration plans to facilitate the practical administration and 
management of the enrolled area so long as the modification will not 
adversely affect the grassland functions and values for which the land 
was enrolled.


Sec.  1415.13  Transfer of land.

    (a) Any transfer of the property prior to an applicant's acceptance 
into the program will void the offer of enrollment, unless at the 
option of the State Conservationist or State Executive Director, as 
appropriate, an offer is extended to the new landowner and the new 
landowner agrees to the same easement or rental contract terms and 
conditions.
    (b) After acreage is accepted in the program, for easements with 
multiple payments, any remaining easement payments will be made to the 
original participant unless NRCS receives an assignment of proceeds.
    (c) Future annual rental payments will be made to the successor 
participant.
    (d) The new landowner is responsible for complying with the terms 
of the recorded easement, and the contract successor is responsible for 
complying with the terms of the rental contract and for assuring 
completion of all activities and practices required by any associated 
restoration agreement. Eligible cost-share payments will be made to the 
new participant upon presentation that the successor assumed the costs 
of establishing the practices.
    (e) With respect to any and all payments owed to participants, the 
United States bears no responsibility for any full payments or partial 
distributions of funds between the original participant and the 
participant's successor. In the event of a dispute or claim on the 
distribution of cost-share payments, USDA may withhold payments, 
without the accrual of interest, pending an agreement or adjudication 
on the rights to the funds.
    (f) The rights granted to the United States in an easement will 
apply to any of its agents or assigns. All obligations of the 
participant under the GRP conservation easement deed also bind the 
participant's heirs, successors, agents, assigns, lessees, and any 
other person claiming under them.
    (g) Rental contracts may be transferred to another landowner, 
operator, or tenant that acquires an interest in the land enrolled in 
GRP. The successor must be determined by FSA to be eligible to 
participate in GRP and must assume full responsibility under the 
contract. FSA may require a participant to refund all or a portion of 
any financial assistance awarded under GRP, plus interest, if the 
participant sells or loses control of the land under a GRP rental 
contract, and the new landowner, operator, or tenant is not eligible to 
participate in the program or declines to assume responsibility under 
the contract.


Sec.  1415.14  Misrepresentation and violations.

    (a) The following provisions apply to violations of rental 
contracts:
    (1) Rental contract violations, determinations, and appeals are 
handled in accordance with the terms of the rental contract;
    (2) A participant who is determined to have erroneously represented 
any fact affecting a program determination made in accordance with this 
part may not be entitled to rental contract payments and must refund to 
CCC all payments, plus interest, in accordance with part 1403 of this 
title; and
    (3) In the event of a violation of a rental contract, the 
participant will be given notice and an opportunity to voluntarily 
correct the violation within 30 days of the date of the notice, or such 
additional time as CCC may allow. Failure to correct the violation may 
result in termination of the rental contract.

[[Page 73933]]

    (b) The following provisions apply to violations of easement deeds:
    (1) Easement violations are handled under the terms of the easement 
deed;
    (2) Upon notification of the participant, NRCS has the right to 
enter upon the easement area at any time to monitor compliance with the 
terms of the GRP conservation easement deed or remedy deficiencies or 
violations;
    (3) When NRCS believes there may be a violation of the terms of the 
GRP conservation easement deed, NRCS may enter the property without 
prior notice; and
    (4) The participant will be liable for any costs incurred by the 
United States as a result of the participant's negligence or failure to 
comply with the easement terms and conditions.
    (c) USDA may require the participant to refund all or part of any 
payments received by the participant under the program contract or 
agreement.
    (d) In addition to any and all legal and equitable remedies 
available to the United States under applicable law, USDA may withhold 
any easement payment, rental payment, or cost-share payments owing to 
the participant at any time there is a material breach of the easement 
covenants, rental contract, or any contract. Such withheld funds may be 
used to offset costs incurred by the United States in any remedial 
actions or retained as damages pursuant to court order or settlement 
agreement.
    (e) Under a GRP conservation easement, the United States will be 
entitled to recover any and all administrative and legal costs, 
including attorney's fees or expenses, associated with any enforcement 
or remedial action.


Sec.  1415.15  Payments not subject to claims.

    Any cost-share, rental, or easement payment or portion thereof due 
any person under this part will be allowed without regard to any claim 
or lien in favor of any creditor, except agencies of the United States 
Government.


Sec.  1415.16  Assignments.

    (a) Any person entitled to any cash payment under this program may 
assign the right to receive such cash payments, in whole or in part.
    (b) If a participant that is entitled to a payment dies, is 
declared legally incompetent, or is otherwise unable to receive the 
payment, or is succeeded by another person who renders or completes the 
required performance, such a participant may be eligible to receive 
payment in such a manner as USDA determines is fair and reasonable in 
light of all the circumstances.


Sec.  1415.17  Cooperative agreements.

    (a) NRCS may enter into cooperative agreements which establish 
terms and conditions under which an eligible entity will use funds 
provided by NRCS to own, write, and enforce a grassland protection 
easement.
    (b) To be eligible to receive GRP funding, an eligible entity must 
demonstrate:
    (1) A commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands, 
ranch land, or grassland for grazing and conservation purposes;
    (2) A capability to acquire, manage, and enforce easements;
    (3) Sufficient number of staff dedicated to monitoring and easement 
stewardship;
    (4) The availability of funds; and
    (5) For nongovernmental organizations, the existence of a dedicated 
account and funds for the purposes of easement management, monitoring, 
and enforcement of each easement held by the eligible entity.
    (c) NRCS enters into a cooperative agreement with those eligible 
entities selected for funding. Once a proposal is selected by the State 
Conservationist, the eligible entity must work with the appropriate 
State Conservationist to finalize and sign the cooperative agreement, 
incorporating all necessary GRP requirements. The cooperative agreement 
addresses:
    (1) The interests in land to be acquired, including the form of the 
easement deeds to be used and terms and conditions;
    (2) The management and enforcement of the interests acquired;
    (3) The responsibilities of NRCS;
    (4) The responsibilities of the eligible entity on lands acquired 
with the assistance of GRP;
    (5) The parcels accepted by the State Conservationist, landowners' 
names, addresses, location map(s), and other relevant information in an 
a attachment to the cooperative agreement;
    (6) The allowance of parcel substitution upon mutual agreement of 
the parties;
    (7) The manner in which violations are addressed;
    (8) The right of the Secretary to conduct periodic inspections to 
verify the eligible entity's enforcement of the easements;
    (9) The manner in which the eligible entity will evaluate and 
report the use of funds to the Secretary;
    (10) The eligible entity's agreement to assume the costs incurred 
in administering and enforcing the easement, including the costs of 
restoration and rehabilitation of the land as specified by the owner 
and eligible entity. The entity will also assume the responsibility for 
enforcing the GRP management plan or conservation plan, as applicable. 
The eligible entity must incorporate any required plan into the 
conservation easement deed by reference or otherwise;
    (11) The source of funding. The eligible entity may include a 
charitable donation or qualified conservation contribution (as defined 
by section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) from the 
landowner as part of the entity's share of the purchase price;
    (12) The schedule of payments to an eligible entity, as agreed to 
by NRCS and the eligible entity;
    (13) GRP funds may not be used for expenditures such as appraisals, 
surveys, title insurance, legal fees, costs of easement monitoring, and 
other related administrative and transaction costs incurred by the 
entity;
    (14) NRCS may provide a share of the purchase price of an easement 
under the program. The eligible entity will be required to provide a 
share of the purchase price at least equivalent to that provided by 
NRCS. The Federal share will be no more than 50 percent of the purchase 
price, as defined in Sec.  1415.3;
    (15) The eligible entity's succession plan, which describes how its 
successors or assigns will hold, manage, and enforce the interests in 
land acquired in the event that the eligible entity is no longer able 
to fulfill its obligations under the cooperative agreement entered into 
with NRCS; and
    (16) Other requirements deemed necessary by NRCS to protect the 
interests of the United States.
    (d) Easements funded under the cooperative agreement option will be 
in perpetuity, except where State law prohibits a permanent easement, 
and will require that the easement area be maintained in accordance 
with GRP goals and objectives for the term of the easement.
    (e) The entity may use its own terms and conditions in the 
conservation easement deed, but a conservation easement deed template 
used by the eligible entity will be submitted to the Chief within 30 
days of the signing of the cooperative agreement. The conservation 
easement deed templates will be reviewed and approved by the Chief. 
NRCS reserves the right to require additional specific language or to 
remove language in the conservation easement deed to protect the 
interests of the United States.
    (1) In order to protect the public investment, the conveyance 
document must contain a right of enforcement. NRCS will specify the 
terms for the right of enforcement clause to read as set

[[Page 73934]]

forth in the GRP cooperative agreement. This right is a vested property 
right and cannot be condemned or terminated by State or local 
government;
    (2) The eligible entity will acquire, hold, manage, and enforce the 
easement. The eligible entity may have the option to enter into an 
agreement with governmental or private organizations to carry out 
easement stewardship responsibilities if approved by NRCS;
    (3) Prior to closing, NRCS must sign an acceptance of the 
conservation easement, concurring with the terms of the conservation 
easement and accepting its interest in the conservation easement deed;
    (4) All conservation easement deeds acquired with GRP funds must be 
recorded in the appropriate land records. Proof of recordation will be 
provided to NRCS by the eligible entity; and
    (5) The conservation easement deed must include an indemnification 
clause requiring the participant (grantor) to indemnify and hold 
harmless the United States from any liability arising from or related 
to the property enrolled in GRP.


Sec.  1415.18  Easement transfer to eligible entities.

    (a) NRCS may transfer title of ownership to an easement to an 
eligible entity to hold and enforce an easement if:
    (1) The Chief determines that transfer will promote protection of 
grassland, land that contains forbs, or shrubland;
    (2) The owner authorizes the eligible entity to hold and enforce 
the easement; and
    (3) The eligible entity agrees to assume the costs incurred in 
administering and enforcing the easement, including the costs of 
restoration or rehabilitation of the land as specified by the owner and 
the eligible entity, and the entity assumes responsibility for 
enforcing the GRP management plan or conservation plan, as applicable, 
as approved by NRCS.
    (b) NRCS has the right to conduct periodic inspections to verify 
the eligible entities enforcement of the easement, which includes the 
terms and requirements set forth in the GRP management plan and any 
associated restoration or conservation plan for any easements 
transferred pursuant to this section.
    (c) An eligible entity that seeks to hold and enforce an easement 
will apply to the NRCS State Conservationist for approval.
    (d) The Chief may approve an application if the eligible entity:
    (1) Has relevant experience necessary, as appropriate for the 
application, to administer an easement on grassland, land that contains 
forbs, or shrublands;
    (2) Has a charter that describes the commitment of the eligible 
entity to conserving ranch land, agricultural land, or grassland for 
grazing and conservation purposes;
    (3) Possesses the human and financial resources necessary, as 
determined by the Chief, to effectuate the purposes of the charter;
    (4) Has sufficient financial resources to carry out easement 
administrative and enforcement activities;
    (5) Presents proof of a dedicated fund for enforcement as described 
in Sec.  1415.17(b)(5), if the entity is a nongovernmental 
organization; and
    (6) Presents documentation that the landowner has concurred in the 
transfer.
    (e) The Chief or his or her successors and assigns, will retain a 
right of enforcement in any transferred GRP funded easement, which 
provides the Secretary the right to inspect the easement for violations 
and enforce the terms of this easement through any and all authorities 
available under Federal or State law, in the event that the eligible 
entity fails to enforce the terms of the easement, as determined by 
NRCS.
    (f) Should an easement be transferred pursuant to this section, all 
warranties and indemnifications provided for in the deed will continue 
to apply to the United States. Upon transfer of the easement, the 
easement holder will be responsible for enforcement of the GRP 
management plan, as approved by NRCS, and implementation of any 
associated conservation or restoration plans and costs of such 
restoration as agreed to by the landowner and entity.
    (g) Due to the Federal interest in the GRP easement, GRP-funded 
easements cannot be condemned.


Sec.  1415.19  Appeals.

    (a) Applicants or participants may obtain a review of any 
administrative determination concerning eligibility for participation 
utilizing the administrative appeal regulations provided in parts 614 
and 780 of this title.
    (b) Before a person may seek judicial review of any administrative 
action concerning eligibility for program participation under this 
part, the person must exhaust all administrative appeal procedures set 
forth in paragraph (a) of this section, and for the purposes of 
judicial review, no decision will be a final agency action except a 
decision of the NRCS Chief or the FSA Administrator, as applicable, 
under these procedures.
    (c) Any appraisals, market analysis, or supporting documentation 
that may be used by NRCS in determining property value are considered 
confidential information, and will only be disclosed as determined at 
the sole discretion of NRCS in accordance with applicable law.
    (d) Enforcement actions undertaken by NRCS in furtherance of its 
Federally held property rights are under the jurisdiction of the 
Federal District Courts and are not subject to review under 
administrative appeal regulations.


Sec.  1415.20  Scheme or device.

    (a) If it is determined by USDA that a participant has employed a 
scheme or device to defeat the purposes of this part, any part of any 
program payment otherwise due or paid to such participant during the 
applicable period may be withheld or be required to be refunded with 
interest thereon, as determined appropriate by USDA.
    (b) A scheme or device includes, but is not limited to, coercion, 
fraud, misrepresentation, depriving any other person of payments for 
cost-share practices, rental contracts, or easements for the purpose of 
obtaining a payment to which a person would otherwise not be entitled.
    (c) A participant who succeeds to the responsibilities under this 
part will report in writing to USDA any interest of any kind in 
enrolled land that is held by a predecessor or any lender. A failure of 
full disclosure will be considered a scheme or device under this 
section.

    Signed this 15th day of November, 2010 in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation, and Chief, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service.
Jonathan W. Coppess,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation, and 
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2010-29513 Filed 11-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P