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[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2542 Introduced in House (IH)]

  1st Session
                                H. R. 2542

   To consolidate conservation cost-share assistance programs of the 
           Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 26, 1995

Mr. Allard (for himself and Mr. Roberts) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to 
the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
        fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To consolidate conservation cost-share assistance programs of the 
           Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Conservation 
Consolidation and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
         TITLE I--REESTABLISHMENT OF SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE

Sec. 101. Reestablishment of Soil Conservation Service within 
                            Consolidated Farm Service Agency and 
                            designation of functions.
Sec. 102. Role of Consolidated Farm Service Agency and Soil 
                            Conservation Service in administration of 
                            Agricultural Conservation Assistance 
                            Program and Livestock Water Quality 
                            Conservation Program.
Sec. 103. Effect of reestablishment of Soil Conservation Service.
 TITLE II--CONSOLIDATION OF CONSERVATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
                    OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

        Subtitle A--Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program

Sec. 201. Purpose of title and definitions.
Sec. 202. Provision of technical and financial assistance for 
                            structural practices to conserve and 
                            improve soil, water, and related natural 
                            resources.
Sec. 203. Cost-share plans.
Sec. 204. Financial assistance under contract.
Sec. 205. Termination of contracts.
Sec. 206. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 207. Interim administration of Agricultural Conservation 
                            Assistance Program.
                   Subtitle B--Conforming Amendments

Sec. 221. Repeal of great plains conservation program.
Sec. 222. Repeal of critical lands resource conservation program in 
                            great plains area.
Sec. 223. Repeal of agricultural conservation program.
Sec. 224. Repeal of Colorado River basin salinity control program.
Sec. 225. Repeal of rural environmental conservation program.
Sec. 226. Repeal of water quality incentive projects.
Sec. 227. Repeal of control of weeds and pests program.
Sec. 228. Repeal of tree planting initiative.
Sec. 229. Repeal of integrated farm management program option.
Sec. 230. Repeal of special areas conservation program and reservoir 
                            sedimentation program.
Sec. 231. Repeal of small watershed easement purchase authority.
Sec. 232. Repeal of financial assistance programs under Cooperative 
                            Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.
Sec. 233. Repeal of Water Bank Act.
Sec. 234. Effect of repeals.
 TITLE III--WATER QUALITY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS

Sec. 301. Purpose of title and definitions.
Sec. 302. Provision of technical and financial assistance for water 
                            quality conservation for livestock 
                            operations.
Sec. 303. Assistance under contract.
Sec. 304. Priorities in evaluation of contract offers.
Sec. 305. Water quality plans.
Sec. 306. Modification and termination of contracts.
Sec. 307. Use of funds of Commodity Credit Corporation.
Sec. 308. Regulations.
            TITLE IV--HIGHLY ERODIBLE CROPLAND CONSERVATION

Sec. 401. Definitions applicable to highly erodible cropland 
                            conservation.
Sec. 402. Development and implementation of conservation plans and 
                            conservation systems.
Sec. 403. Expedited procedures for granting variances from conservation 
                            plans.
Sec. 404. Good faith exemption.
Sec. 405. Application of program ineligibility penalty.
Sec. 406. Conservation reserve lands.
Sec. 407. Investigation of possible compliance deficiencies.
Sec. 408. Producer advisory committees.
Sec. 409. Expiration of authority.
      TITLE V--ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ACREAGE RESERVE PROGRAM

Sec. 501. Removal of authority to purchase easements to enroll lands in 
                            wetland reserve program.
Sec. 502. Elimination of consultation requirements with Secretary of 
                            the Interior.
Sec. 503. Repeal of environmental easement program.
Sec. 504. Effect on existing easements.
                   TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Clarification of effect of resource planning on allocation or 
                            use of water.
Sec. 602. Repeal of State technical committees.
Sec. 603. Repeal of program regarding management of undesirable plants 
                            on Federal lands.
Sec. 604. Repeal of composting research and extension program.
Sec. 605. Repeal of Farms for the Future Act of 1990.
Sec. 606. Administration of environmental programs.

         TITLE I--REESTABLISHMENT OF SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE

SEC. 101. REESTABLISHMENT OF SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE WITHIN 
              CONSOLIDATED FARM SERVICE AGENCY AND DESIGNATION OF 
              FUNCTIONS.

    (a) Replacement for Natural Resources Conservation Service.--
Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 6962) is amended by striking the section heading and 
subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting the following:

``SEC. 246. SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain 
the Soil Conservation Service as an agency within the Consolidated Farm 
Service Agency of the Department.
    ``(b) Functions Generally.--The Soil Conservation Service 
established under subsection (a) shall have jurisdiction over--
            ``(1) all soil and water conservation programs performed, 
        as of October 12, 1994, by the Soil Conservation Service 
        established by section 5 of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
        Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590e); and
            ``(2) such other functions as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate, including functions assigned directly to the 
        Consolidated Farm Service Agency.
    ``(c) Specific Functions.--The functions assigned to the Soil 
Conservation Service under subsection (a)(1) shall not include any 
function repealed by title II of the Conservation Consolidation and 
Regulatory Reform Act of 1995.''.
    (b) Use of Federal and Non-Federal Employees.--Subsection (d)(1) of 
such section is amended by striking ``Natural Resources Conservation 
Service'' and inserting ``Soil Conservation Service''.
    (c) Savings Provision.--Subsection (e) of such section is amended 
to read as follows:
    ``(e) Savings Provision.--For purposes of this section, a reference 
to the `Consolidated Farm Service Agency' includes any other office, 
agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned all or most 
of the functions authorized for the Consolidated Farm Service Agency 
under section 226.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments To Reflect Position of SCS Within 
Consolidated Farm Service Agency.--Section 226 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
6932) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
                (6);
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following 
                new paragraph:
            ``(5) Soil and water conservation programs performed by the 
        Soil Conservation Service established within the Agency under 
        section 246.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by 
                striking ``, except for those programs assigned by the 
                Secretary to the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
                or another agency of the Department under section 
                246(b)'';
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following 
        new subsection:
    ``(c) Special Consultation Requirements for Certain Functions.--In 
carrying out the programs specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) acting on the recommendations of the Consolidated 
        Farm Service Agency issue regulations to carry out such 
        programs; and
            ``(2) ensure that officials of county and area committees 
        established under section 8(b)(5) of the Soil Conservation and 
        Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)) meet annually 
        with officials of Soil and Water Conservation Districts or 
        similar organizations established under State law to consider 
        local conservation priorities and guidelines.'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, by rule with 
                the concurrence of the Natural Resources Conservation 
                Service,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Natural Resources Conservation 
                Service'' each place it appears and inserting ``Soil 
                Conservation Service'';
            (4) in subsection (f), by striking ``Natural Resources 
        Conservation Service'' and inserting ``Soil Conservation 
        Service''; and
            (5) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following 
        new subsection:
    ``(g) Savings Provision.--For purposes of subsections (c) through 
(f) of this section, a reference to the `Consolidated Farm Service 
Agency' includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of 
the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Consolidated 
Farm Service Agency under this section.''.
    (e) Conforming Amendment Regarding National Appeals Division.--
Section 271(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (F) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(F) The Soil Conservation Service.''.
    (f) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 101-354; 108 Stat. 3178) is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 246 and inserting the 
following new item:

``Sec. 246. Soil Conservation Service.''.

SEC. 102. ROLE OF CONSOLIDATED FARM SERVICE AGENCY AND SOIL 
              CONSERVATION SERVICE IN ADMINISTRATION OF AGRICULTURAL 
              CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND LIVESTOCK WATER 
              QUALITY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Authority To Use Consolidated Farm Service Agency.--Section 
226(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6932(b)), as amended by section 101(d), is further amended by 
striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) and the provision 
        of financial assistance under the Agricultural Conservation 
        Assistance Program established under section 202 of the 
        Conservation Consolidation and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 
        and the Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program 
        established under section 302 of such Act.''.
    (b) Use of Soil Conservation Service To Provide Technical 
Assistance.--Section 246(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 6962(b)), as amended 
by section 101(a), is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(2) The provision of technical assistance under the 
        Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program established under 
        section 202 of the Conservation Consolidation and Regulatory 
        Reform Act of 1995 and the Livestock Water Quality Conservation 
        Program established under section 302 of such Act.''.

SEC. 103. EFFECT OF REESTABLISHMENT OF SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE.

    (a) Interagency Transfer of Records, Property, Personnel, and 
Funds.--As part of the reestablishment of the Soil Conservation Service 
under section 101 to replace the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer to the Soil 
Conservation Service--
            (1) all of the records, property, and personnel of the 
        Natural Resources Conservation Service; and
            (2) the unexpended balances (available or to be made 
        available for use in connection with any function of the 
        Natural Resources Conservation Service) of appropriations, 
        allocations, or other funds of the Natural Resources 
        Conservation Service.
    (b) Applicable Law Relating to Funds Transfer.--Section 1531 of 
title 31, United States Code, shall apply to any transfer of funds 
under subsection (a).

 TITLE II--CONSOLIDATION OF CONSERVATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
                    OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

        Subtitle A--Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program

SEC. 201. PURPOSE OF TITLE AND DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to consolidate into a 
single program all current authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture 
with respect to conservation programs under which the Secretary 
contributes to the cost of conservation measures undertaken on private 
lands.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this title:
            (1) Agricultural conservation assistance program.--The term 
        ``Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program'' means the 
        program established under section 202 to provide technical and 
        financial assistance to the owners and operators of private 
        agricultural lands for conservation and improvement of soil, 
        water, and related natural resources.
            (2) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural 
        commodity'' means any annual or perennial crop (including 
        forage or hay), aquaculture product, nursery product, 
        silviculture product, and water-dependent crop (such as 
        cranberries, taro, watercress, or rice).
            (3) Agricultural lands.--The term ``agricultural lands'' 
        includes cropland, nonindustrial forest land, and other lands 
        used to produce or support the production of an agricultural 
        commodity.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            (5) Structural practice.--The term ``structural practice'' 
        means the establishment of a terrace, grassed waterway, contour 
        grass strip, filterstrip, shelterbelt, permanent wildlife 
        habitat, or other activity that the Secretary determines 
        improves or protects soil, water, and related natural 
        resources.

SEC. 202. PROVISION OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
              STRUCTURAL PRACTICES TO CONSERVE AND IMPROVE SOIL, WATER, 
              AND RELATED NATURAL RESOURCES.

    (a) Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture shall carry out a program, to be known as the 
``Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program'', to provide technical 
and financial assistance to the owners and operators of private 
agricultural lands who request such assistance to plan, develop, and 
implement structural practices applicable to such lands and intended to 
effectuate one or more of the following purposes:
            (1) Control of erosion and sedimentation from such lands.
            (2) Conservation of water resources on such lands and 
        promotion of water conservation practices.
            (3) Improvement of water quality in rural America.
            (4) Control of salinity resulting from the use of such 
        lands.
            (5) Enhancement, restoration, or creation of wetlands and 
        riparian areas.
            (6) Improvement in the production and utilization of 
        timber.
            (7) Improvement of wildlife habitat.
    (b) Contracts.--Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary shall 
provide technical and financial assistance under the Agricultural 
Conservation Assistance Program on the basis of a contract between the 
Secretary and an owner or operator of agricultural lands. The Secretary 
may not enter into a contract with an operator who is not also owner of 
the agricultural lands unless the actual owner of the lands concurs in 
the contract. The contract shall describe the structural practice for 
which the assistance is being provided and specify the manner in which 
the structural practice will be carried out consistent with the cost-
share plan developed under section 203.
    (c) Approval of County or Area Committee.--Each contract under the 
Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program shall be subject to the 
approval of the county or area committee established under section 
8(b)(5) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 
590h(b)) for the county or area within which the agricultural land 
subject to the contract is located.
    (d) Term of Contract.--The term of a contract under the 
Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program may not exceed five years, 
except that the Secretary may enter into a longer contract on a case-
by-case basis if the Secretary determines that a longer contract term 
is essential to accomplish one of the purposes specified in subsection 
(a).
    (e) Owner and Operator Responsibilities.--Under the terms of a 
contract under the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, the 
owner or operator entering into the contract shall agree to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the applicable cost-share plan, as approved 
by the Secretary under section 203.

SEC. 203. COST-SHARE PLANS.

    (a) Cost-Share Plan.--To be eligible to enter into a contract under 
the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, an owner or operator 
must prepare and submit to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval a 
plan of farming operations or land use practices which incorporates 
such soil and water conservation practices and principles as may be 
determined by the Secretary to be practicable to achieve the purposes 
for which the assistance is provided and outlines a schedule of 
proposed changes in cropping systems or land use to be carried out 
during the contract period. At the option of the owner or operator, the 
owner or operator may rely on a conservation plan developed pursuant to 
section 1212 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812) or any 
other conservation or natural resource plan required for participation 
in any program within the jurisdiction of the Secretary so long as the 
plan is approved by the Secretary for purposes of the Agricultural 
Conservation Assistance Program.
    (b) Consultation.--In considering a cost-share plan for approval, 
the Secretary shall consult with the Soil Conservation Service and the 
local soil and water conservation district.
    (c) Requirements of the Plan.--To be approved by the Secretary, a 
cost-share plan must be approved by the appropriate county or area 
committee as containing sufficient details regarding the structural 
practice to be carried out and any farming operations or land use 
practices to be implemented or used by the owner or operator to advance 
one or more of the purposes specified in section 202(a).

SEC. 204. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER CONTRACT.

    (a) Determination of Amount.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), 
the amount of financial assistance that may be provided under a 
contract under the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program shall 
be such portion of the cost of planning, developing, or implemented the 
structural practice described in the contract as the Secretary of 
Agriculture determines to be necessary to achieve the purposes for 
which the assistance is provided. In determining the level of 
assistance, the Secretary shall give consideration to--
            (1) the amount of expected conservation or environmental 
        benefit accruing to society;
            (2) the total cost of carrying out the structural practice;
            (3) the degree to which appropriate structural practices 
        will be implemented in the absence of financial assistance 
        under the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program; and
            (4) in order to avoid duplication of assistance, the degree 
        to which the owner or operator benefits from other public 
        conservation programs.
    (b) Cost-Share Requirement.--The Federal share of cost-sharing 
payments under a contract under the Agricultural Conservation 
Assistance Program shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the 
structural practice covered by the contract, as determined by the 
Secretary. However, the Secretary may exceed the percentage limitation 
on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary determines that a larger 
Federal share is essential to accomplish one of the purposes specified 
in section 202(a), except that in no case may the Federal share exceed 
75 percent.
    (c) Per Person Limitation on Financial Assistance.--The total 
annual amount of payments to a person under one or more contracts under 
the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program may not exceed $5,000. 
However, the Secretary may exceed the limitation on the annual amount 
of payments on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary determines that a 
larger payment is essential to accomplish one of the purposes specified 
in section 202(a).
    (d) Time for Payment.--In the case of multiyear contract under the 
Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, the Secretary may make 
the entire Federal payment under the contract in the first year of the 
contract to advance implementation of the structural practice for which 
the payment is being made. Payments may not be made beyond the term of 
the contract.
    (e) Treatment of Payments.--Payments under the Agricultural 
Conservation Assistance Program shall be treated in the same manner as 
payments made under the agricultural conservation program authorized by 
the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590a et 
seq.), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 205. TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS.

    (a) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate a contract entered 
into with an owner or operator under the Agricultural Conservation 
Assistance Program if the owner or operator agrees to such termination 
or the owner or operator violates the terms and conditions of the 
contract.
    (b) Repayment.--On the violation of a term or condition of the 
contract under the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program at any 
time by the owner or operator, the owner or operator shall refund any 
cost-sharing payment already received under section 204 and forfeit any 
future payments under the contract. On the transfer of the right and 
interest of an owner in land subject to the contract, the owner shall 
refund all cost-sharing payments received by the owner under the 
contract unless the transferee of the right and interest agrees to 
assume all obligations of the owner under the contract.

SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this subtitle during each of the fiscal years 
1996 through 2002.

SEC. 207. INTERIM ADMINISTRATION OF AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION 
              ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Interim Administration Pending Implementation of Agricultural 
Conservation Assistance Program.--
            (1) In general.--During the period beginning on the date of 
        the enactment of this Act and ending on the later of the dates 
        specified in paragraph (2), to ensure that technical assistance 
        and cost-sharing payments continue to be administered in an 
        orderly manner until such time as assistance can be provided 
        through final regulations issued to implement the Agricultural 
        Conservation Assistance Program, the Secretary shall continue 
        to provide technical assistance and cost-sharing payments under 
        the terms and conditions of the authorities repealed by 
        subtitle B to the extent the terms and conditions of such 
        authorities are consistent with the Agricultural Conservation 
        Assistance Program.
            (2) Expiration of authority.--The authority of the 
        Secretary to carry out paragraph (1) shall terminate on the 
        later of--
                    (A) the date that is 180 days after the date of the 
                enactment of this Act; or
                    (B) March 31, 1996.
    (b) Final Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations to 
implement the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program.

                   Subtitle B--Conforming Amendments

SEC. 221. REPEAL OF GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 16 of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590p) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 1271(c)(3)(C) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 
2106a(c)(3)(C)) is amended by striking ``and the Agricultural 
Conservation Program established under section 16(b) of the Soil 
Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590p(b)),''.
    (2) Subparagraph (A) of section 1211(3) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(3)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(A) a payment made pursuant to a contract entered 
                into under the Agricultural Conservation Assistance 
                Program established under section 202 of the 
                Conservation Consolidation and Regulatory Reform Act of 
                1995 or the Water Quality Conservation Program 
                established under section 442 of such Act;''.
    (3) Subparagraph (A) of section 1221(a)(3) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821(a)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(A) a payment made pursuant to a contract entered 
                into under the Agricultural Conservation Assistance 
                Program established under section 202 of the 
                Conservation Consolidation and Regulatory Reform Act of 
                1995 or the Water Quality Conservation Program 
                established under section 442 of such Act;''.
    (4) The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 is amended--
            (A) in section 344(f)(8) (7 U.S.C. 1344(f)(8), by striking 
        ``, Great Plains program,''; and
            (B) in section 377 (7 U.S.C. 1377), by striking ``or the 
        Great Plains program''.

SEC. 222. REPEAL OF CRITICAL LANDS RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN 
              GREAT PLAINS AREA.

    Section 1511 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 
590q-3) is repealed.

SEC. 223. REPEAL OF AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal.--The Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 
U.S.C. 590a et seq.) is repealed, except for sections 1, 2, 8(b)(5) and 
17(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 590a, 590b, 590h(b)(5), and 590q(b)).
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 22(a) of the Agricultural 
Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 624(a)), reenacted with amendments by the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by striking 
``or the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended,''.
    (2) The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 is amended--
            (A) by striking section 2 (7 U.S.C. 1282);
            (B) in section 202 (7 U.S.C. 1292), by striking ``, or 
        section 15 of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, 
        as amended,'' in subsections (d) and (f);
            (C) in section 364 (7 U.S.C. 1364), by striking ``committee 
        utilized for the purposes of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
        Allotment Act, as amended'' and inserting ``committees 
        established under section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and 
        Domestic Allotment Act'';
            (D) in section 385 (7 U.S.C. 1385), by striking ``Soil 
        Conservation Act payment'' and inserting ``payment made under 
        the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program established 
        under section 202 of the Conservation Consolidation and 
        Regulatory Reform Act of 1995'';
            (E) in section 388 (7 U.S.C. 1388)--
                    (i) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
                following new subsection:
    ``(a) Section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment 
Act, relating to the utilization of State, county, area, and local 
committees, the extension service, and other approved agencies, and to 
recognition and encouragement of cooperative associations, shall apply 
in the administration of this Act. The Secretary shall, for such 
purposes, utilize the same local, area, county, and State committees as 
are established under such section. The local administrative areas 
designated under such section for the administration of programs under 
that Act and the local administrative areas designated for the 
administration of this Act shall be the same.''; and
                    (ii) in subsection (b), by striking ``the Soil 
                Conservation Act payments,'';
            (F) in section 390 (7 U.S.C. 1390), by striking ``, and the 
        provisions of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, 
        as amended,'';
            (G) in section 391 (7 U.S.C. 1391)--
                    (i) in subsection (a), by striking ``, in addition 
                to any amount made available pursuant to section 15 of 
                the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as 
                amended'';
                    (ii) in the first sentence of subsection (c), by 
                striking ``and to make advances pursuant to the 
                applicable provisions of sections 8 and 12 of the Soil 
                Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended,''; 
                and
                    (iii) by striking the second sentence of subsection 
                (c); and
            (H) in section 392 (7 U.S.C. 1392), by striking ``and 
        sections 7 to 17, inclusive, of the Soil Conservation and 
        Domestic Allotment Act, as amended,'' both places it appears 
        and inserting ``section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and 
        Domestic Allotment Act''.
    (3) Section 6(b) of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 
1956 (16 U.S.C. 590h-4) is repealed.
    (4) Section 2 of the Act of December 20, 1944 (12 U.S.C. 1150a) is 
amended by striking ``sections 7 to 17 of the Soil Conservation and 
Domestic Allotment Act;''.

SEC. 224. REPEAL OF COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAM.

    Section 202 of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (43 
U.S.C. 1592) is amended by striking subsection (c).

SEC. 225. REPEAL OF RURAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    Title X of the Agricultural Act of 1970 (16 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is 
repealed.

SEC. 226. REPEAL OF WATER QUALITY INCENTIVE PROJECTS.

    (a) Repeal.--Chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838-3838F) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Such title is further amended--
            (1) in section 1211(3) (16 U.S.C. 3811(3)), by striking 
        subparagraph (D);
            (2) in section 1221(a)(3) (16 U.S.C. 3821(a)(3)), by 
        striking subparagraph (D);
            (3) in section 1231(b)(4)(A) (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)(4)(A)), by 
        striking ``the water quality incentives program established 
        under chapter 2'' and inserting ``a contract entered into under 
        the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program established 
        under section 202 of the Conservation Consolidation and 
        Regulatory Reform Act of 1995''; and
            (4) in section 1245 (16 U.S.C. 3845)--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``chapters 1 and 
                2 of subtitle D.'' and the second sentence and 
                inserting ``chapter 1 of subtitle D.''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``chapters 1 and 
                2 of subtitle D'' and inserting ``chapter 1 of subtitle 
                D''.

SEC. 227. REPEAL OF CONTROL OF WEEDS AND PESTS PROGRAM.

    Section 1247 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3847) is 
repealed.

SEC. 228. REPEAL OF TREE PLANTING INITIATIVE.

    Section 1256 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 
16 U.S.C. 2101 note) is repealed.

SEC. 229. REPEAL OF INTEGRATED FARM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OPTION.

    Section 1451 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5822) is repealed.

SEC. 230. REPEAL OF SPECIAL AREAS CONSERVATION PROGRAM AND RESERVOIR 
              SEDIMENTATION PROGRAM.

    Subtitles A, B, and F and section 1552 of title XV of the 
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3401-3420, 3441-3445, 3471) 
are repealed.

SEC. 231. REPEAL OF SMALL WATERSHED EASEMENT PURCHASE AUTHORITY.

    Section 3A of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 
U.S.C. 1003a) is repealed.

SEC. 232. REPEAL OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UNDER COOPERATIVE 
              FORESTRY ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1978.

    (a) Repeals.--Sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Cooperative Forestry 
Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103-2103c) are repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act 
of 1978 is further amended--
            (1) in section 12(a) (16 U.S.C. 2108(a)), by striking 
        ``money appropriated under section 4 of this Act or''; and
            (2) in section 19(b)(2) (16 U.S.C. 2113(b)(2))--
                    (A) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon in 
                subparagraph (B);
                    (B) by striking ``; and'' at the end of 
                subparagraph (C) and inserting a period; and
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (D).

SEC. 233. REPEAL OF WATER BANK ACT.

    The Water Bank Act (16 U.S.C. 1301-1311) is repealed.

SEC. 234. EFFECT OF REPEALS.

    The amendments made by this subtitle shall not affect the validity 
of any contract or agreement, or the terms and conditions of such a 
contract or agreement, entered into before the date of the enactment of 
this subtitle under a provision of law repealed by this subtitle.

 TITLE III--WATER QUALITY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS

SEC. 301. PURPOSE OF TITLE AND DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to establish a 
program under section 302 that, in a manner maximizing environmental 
benefits per dollar expended, provides to the owners and operators of 
livestock operations--
            (1) flexible technical and financial assistance to address 
        the most serious threats to water quality;
            (2) assistance in complying with title XII of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) and Federal and 
        State environmental laws, and to encourage environmental 
        enhancement; and
            (3) a consolidated and simplified conservation planning 
        process to reduce administrative burdens on the owners and 
        operators of livestock operations.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this title:
            (1) Livestock water quality conservation program.--The term 
        ``Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program'' means the 
        program established under section 302 to provide technical and 
        financial assistance to the owners and operators of livestock 
        operations to protect or improve water quality and enhance 
        environmental protection.
            (2) Livestock.--The term ``livestock'' means dairy or beef 
        cattle, laying hens, broilers, turkeys, swine, sheep, lambs, 
        and such other animals as the Secretary of Agriculture 
        considers appropriate.
            (3) Livestock operation.--The term ``livestock operation'' 
        means a farm, ranch, or other facility used for the purpose of 
        livestock production.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            (5) Structural practice.--The term ``structural practice'' 
        means the establishment of an animal waste management facility, 
        terrace, grassed waterway, contour grass strip, filterstrip, 
        permanent wildlife habitat, or other activity that the 
        Secretary determines improves or protects water quality in a 
        cost effective manner.

SEC. 302. PROVISION OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WATER 
              QUALITY CONSERVATION FOR LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS.

    (a) Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program.--During fiscal 
years 1996 through 2002, the Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out a 
program, to be known as the ``Livestock Water Quality Conservation 
Program'', to provide technical and financial assistance to the owners 
and operators of livestock operations who request such assistance to 
plan, develop, and implement structural practices in connection with 
such livestock operations intended to protect or improve water quality 
and enhance environmental protection.
    (b) Contracts.--Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary shall 
provide assistance under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation 
Program on the basis of a contract between the Secretary and an owner 
or operator of a livestock operation. The Secretary may not enter into 
a contract with an operator who is not also owner of the livestock 
operation unless the actual owner concurs in the contract. To be 
eligible to enter into a contract, the owner or operator must have an 
approved water quality plan under section 305.
    (c) Types of Assistance.--Under a contract entered into under 
subsection (b), the Secretary may provide the owner or operator of a 
livestock operation who implements a structural practice with technical 
assistance and cost-sharing payments.
    (d) Application and Term.--A contract entered into under subsection 
(b) may apply to one or more structural practices. The contract shall 
have a term of not less than five, nor more than 10, years, as 
determined appropriate by the Secretary, depending on the structural 
practice or practices that are the basis of the contract.
    (e) Contracting Process.--
            (1) Approval of county or area committee.--Each contract 
        under subsection (b) shall be subject to the approval of the 
        county or area committee established under section 8(b)(5) of 
        the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 
        590h(b)) for the county or area within which the livestock 
        operation subject to the contract is located.
            (2) Competitive offer for structural practices.--The 
        Secretary shall administer a competitive offer system for 
        owners and operators of livestock operations proposing to 
        receive cost-sharing payments in exchange for the 
        implementation of one or more structural practices. The 
        competitive offer system shall consist of--
                    (A) the submission of a competitive offer by the 
                owner or operator in such manner as the Secretary may 
                prescribe; and
                    (B) evaluation of the offer in light of the 
                priorities established in section 304 and the projected 
                cost of the structural practice, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
    (f) Owner and Operator Responsibilities.--Under the terms of a 
contract under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program, the 
owner or operator entering into the contract shall agree to actively 
comply with the terms and conditions of the water quality plan, as 
approved by the Secretary under section 305.

SEC. 303. ASSISTANCE UNDER CONTRACT.

    (a) Cost-Sharing Payments.--The Federal share of cost-sharing 
payments under a contract under the Livestock Water Quality 
Conservation Program to implement one or more structural practices 
shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the practice or 
practices, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary 
may further reduce the Federal share on account of payments received by 
the owner or operator from a State or local government for the same 
structural practice.
    (b) Effect of Other Payments.--An owner or operator of a livestock 
operation shall not be eligible for cost-sharing payments for 
structural practices under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation 
Program if the owner or operator receives cost-sharing payments or 
other benefits for land covered by the livestock operation under 
subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3830 et seq.).
    (c) Technical Assistance.--
            (1) Funding.--The Secretary shall allocate funding under 
        this title for the provision of technical assistance according 
        to the purpose and projected cost for which the technical 
        assistance is provided in a fiscal year. The allocated amount 
        may vary according to the type of expertise required, quantity 
        of time involved, and other factors as determined appropriate 
        by the Secretary. Funding shall not exceed the projected cost 
        to the Secretary of the technical assistance provided in a 
        fiscal year.
            (2) Other authorities.--The receipt of technical assistance 
        under this title shall not affect the eligibility of an owner 
        or operator of a livestock operation to receive technical 
        assistance under other authorities of law available to the 
        Secretary.
    (d) Non-Federal Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may request the services of 
        a State water quality agency, State fish and wildlife agency, 
        State forestry agency, or any other governmental or private 
        resource considered appropriate to assist in providing the 
        technical assistance necessary for the development and 
        implementation of a structural practice.
            (2) Limitation on liability.--No person shall be permitted 
        to bring or pursue any claim or action against any official or 
        entity based on or resulting from any technical assistance 
        provided under this title to assist in complying with a Federal 
        or State environmental law.
    (e) Limitations on Payments.--The total amount of cost-sharing 
payments made to a person under the Livestock Water Quality 
Conservation Program may not exceed--
            (1) $10,000 for any fiscal year; or
            (2) $50,000 for any multiyear contract.
    (f) Treatment of Payments.--Payments under the Livestock Water 
Quality Conservation Program shall be treated in the same manner as 
payments made under the agricultural conservation program authorized by 
the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590a et 
seq.), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 304. PRIORITIES IN EVALUATION OF CONTRACT OFFERS.

    (a) Regional Priorities.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
provide assistance under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation 
Program to owners and operators of livestock operations in a region, 
watershed, or conservation priority area based on the significance of 
the water quality needs in the region, watershed, or area, and the 
structural practices that best address the needs, as determined by the 
Secretary.
    (b) Maximization of Environmental Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--In providing assistance under the 
        Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program, the Secretary 
        shall accord a higher priority to assistance and payments that 
        maximize environmental benefits per dollar expended.
            (2) National and regional priority.--The prioritization 
        under paragraph (1) shall be done nationally as well as within 
        the conservation priority area, region, or watershed in which a 
        livestock operation is located.
            (3) Criteria.--To carry out this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall establish criteria for implementing structural practices 
        that best achieve water quality conservation goals for a 
        region, watershed, or conservation priority area, as determined 
        by the Secretary.
    (c) State or Local Contributions.--The Secretary shall accord a 
higher priority to owners or operators of livestock operations located 
within watersheds, regions, or conservation priority areas in which 
State or local governments have provided, or will provide, financial or 
technical assistance for the same conservation or environmental 
purposes.
    (d) Priority Lands.--The Secretary shall accord a higher priority 
to structural practices for lands on which livestock production has 
been determined to contribute to, or create, the potential for failure 
to meet applicable water quality standards or other environmental 
objectives of a Federal or State law.

SEC. 305. WATER QUALITY PLANS.

    (a) Water Quality Plan Required.--To be eligible to enter into a 
contract under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program, an 
owner or operator of a livestock operation must prepare and submit to 
the Secretary of Agriculture for approval a plan of livestock 
operations that incorporates such water quality conservation practices 
and principles as may be determined by the Secretary to be practicable 
to achieve the purposes for which the assistance is provided and 
outlines a schedule of proposed changes in land use to be carried out 
during the contract period. At the option of the owner or operator, the 
owner or operator may rely on a conservation plan developed pursuant to 
section 1212 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812) or any 
other conservation or natural resource plan required for participation 
in any program within the jurisdiction of the Secretary so long as the 
plan is approved by the Secretary for purposes of the Livestock Water 
Quality Conservation Program.
    (b) Consultation.--In considering a water quality plan for 
approval, the Secretary shall consult with the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service and the local soil and water conservation 
district.
    (c) Requirements of Plan.--To be approved by the Secretary, a water 
quality plan must be approved by the appropriate county or area 
committee as containing sufficient details regarding the livestock 
operation and the structural practices to be implemented or used by the 
landowner to advance the purposes for which assistance is to be 
provided.

SEC. 306. MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS.

    (a) Termination for Violation.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
terminate a contract entered into with an owner or operator of a 
livestock operation under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation 
Program if the owner or operator violates the terms and conditions of 
the contract.
    (b) Voluntary Modification or Termination.--The Secretary may 
modify or terminate a contract entered into with a owner or operator 
under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program if--
            (1) the owner or operator agrees to the modification or 
        termination; and
            (2) the Secretary determines that the modification or 
        termination is in the public interest.
    (c) Repayment.--On the violation of a term or condition of the 
contract under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program at any 
time by the owner or operator of a livestock operation, the owner or 
operator shall refund any financial assistance received under section 
304 and forfeit any future payments under the contract. On the transfer 
of the right and interest of an owner in land subject to the contract, 
the owner shall refund all financial assistance received by the owner 
under the contract unless the transferee of the right and interest 
agrees to assume all obligations of the owner under the contract.

SEC. 307. USE OF FUNDS OF COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.

    (a) Availability of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other law, the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall allocate $380,000,000 of the funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation for the seven-fiscal year period 
beginning on October 1, 1995, to carry out the Livestock Water Quality 
Conservation Program.
    (b) Proration of Payments.--If for any fiscal year the Secretary 
has incurred total contractual obligations to make payments under the 
Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program that would exceed the 
amount specified in subsection (a), the Secretary shall prorate all 
payments owed under the program for that fiscal year to ensure that 
actual payments for the fiscal year do not exceed that amount.

SEC. 308. REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to implement 
the Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program.

            TITLE IV--HIGHLY ERODIBLE CROPLAND CONSERVATION

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO HIGHLY ERODIBLE CROPLAND 
              CONSERVATION.

    (a) Conservation Plan and Conservation System.--Section 1201(a) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (16) as 
        paragraphs (4) through (18), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(2) Conservation plan.--The term `conservation plan' 
        means the document that--
                    ``(A) applies to highly erodible cropland;
                    ``(B) implements the conservation system applicable 
                to such highly erodible cropland and contains the 
                decisions of the person with respect to location, land 
                use, tillage systems, and conservation treatment 
                measures and schedule; and
                    ``(C) is approved by the local soil conservation 
                district, in consultation with the local committees 
                established under section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation 
                and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)) and the 
                Secretary, or by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Conservation system.--The term `conservation system' 
        means a combination of one or more conservation measures or 
        management practices that--
                    ``(A) are based upon local resource conditions, 
                available conservation technology, and the standards 
                and guidelines contained in the Soil Conservation 
                Service field office technical guides; and
                    ``(B) are designed to achieve, in a cost effective 
                and technically practicable manner, a substantial 
                reduction in soil erosion or a substantial improvement 
                in soil conditions on a field or group of fields 
                containing highly erodible cropland when compared to 
                the level of erosion or soil conditions that existed 
                before the application of the conservation measures and 
                management practices.''.
    (b) Field.--Paragraph (7) of such section, as redesignated by 
subsection (a)(1), is amended to read as follows:
            ``(7) Field.--The term `field' means a part of a farm which 
        is separated from the balance of the farm by permanent 
        boundaries such as fences, roads, permanent waterways, or other 
        similar features. At the option of the owner or operator of the 
        farm, croplines may also be used to delineate a field if 
        farming practices make it probable that such croplines are not 
        subject to change. Any highly erodible land on which an 
        agricultural commodity is produced after December 23, 1985, and 
        that is not exempt under section 1212 shall be considered as 
        part of the field in which such land was included on December 
        23, 1985, unless the Secretary permits modification of the 
        boundaries of the field to carry out subtitles A through E.''.
    (c) Highly Erodible Land.--Paragraph (9) of such section, as 
redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph:
            ``(C) Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in 
        the Federal Register the universal soil loss equation and wind 
        erosion equation used by the Department of Agriculture as of 
        that date. The Secretary may not change such equations after 
        that date except following notice and comment in a manner 
        consistent with section 553 of title 5, United States Code.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1212 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3812) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``that documents the 
        decisions of the person with respect to location, land use, 
        tillage systems, and conservation treatment measures and 
        schedule and that is based on the local Soil Conservation 
        Service technical guide and approved by the local soil 
        conservation district, in consultation with the local 
        committees established under section 8(b) of the Soil 
        Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)) and 
        the Secretary, or by the Secretary'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``based on the local 
        Soil Conservation Service technical guide and approved by the 
        local soil conservation district, in consultation with the 
        local committees established under section 8(b) of the Soil 
        Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)) and 
        the Secretary'';
            (3) in subsection (e)(1)(A), by striking ``conservation 
        compliance plan'' and inserting ``conservation plan'';
            (4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``that documents the 
        decisions of such person with respect to location, land use, 
        tillage systems, and conservation treatment measures and 
        schedules prepared under subsection (a)'';
            (5) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``prepared under 
        subsection (a)''; and
            (6) in subsection (f)(4), by striking ``that documents the 
        decisions of such person with respect to location, land use, 
        tillage systems, and conservation treatment measures and 
        schedules prepared under subsection (a)''.

SEC. 402. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSERVATION PLANS AND 
              CONSERVATION SYSTEMS.

    (a) Development and Implementation.--The Food Security Act of 1985 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 1213 (16 U.S.C. 3813) as 
        section 1214; and
            (2) by inserting after section 1212 (16 U.S.C. 3812) the 
        following new section:

``SEC. 1213. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSERVATION PLANS AND 
              CONSERVATION SYSTEMS.

    ``(a) Technical Requirements.--In connection with the standards and 
guidelines contained in Soil Conservation Service field office 
technical guides applicable to the development and use of conservation 
measures and management practices as part of a conservation system, the 
Secretary shall ensure that such standards and guidelines permit a 
person to use a conservation system that--
            ``(1) is technically and economically feasible;
            ``(2) is based on local resource conditions and available 
        conservation technology;
            ``(3) is cost-effective; and
            ``(4) does not cause undue economic hardship on the person 
        applying the conservation system under the person's 
        conservation plan.
    ``(b) Measurement of Erosion Reduction.--For the purpose of 
determining whether there is a substantial reduction in soil erosion on 
a field containing highly erodible cropland, the measurement of erosion 
reduction achieved by the application of a conservation system under a 
person's conservation plan shall be based upon the level of erosion at 
the time of the measurement compared to the level of erosion that 
existed before the implementation of the conservation measures and 
management practices provided for in the conservation system.
    ``(c) Residue Measurement.--
            ``(1) Responsibilities of the secretary.--For the purpose 
        of measuring the level of residue on a field, the Secretary 
        shall--
                    ``(A) take into account any residue incorporated 
                into the top two inches of soil, as well as the growing 
                crop, in such measurement; and
                    ``(B) provide for the acceptance and use of 
                information and data voluntarily provided by the 
                producer regarding the field.
            ``(2) Acceptance of producer measurements.--Annual residue 
        measurements supplied by a producer, and certified by a third 
        person approved by the Secretary, shall be used by the 
        Secretary if such measurements indicate that, on the basis of a 
        5-year average, the residue level for the field meets the level 
        required in the conservation plan.
    ``(d) Certification of Compliance.--
            ``(1) In general.--For the purpose of determining the 
        eligibility of a person for program benefits specified in 
        section 1211, the person may certify that the person is 
complying with the person's conservation plan if that person is 
actively applying the conservation plan at the time application is made 
for such benefits.
            ``(2) Status reviews.--If a person makes a certification 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not be required to 
        carry out a review of the status of compliance of the person 
        with the conservation plan under which such conservation system 
        is being applied.
            ``(3) Revisions and modifications.--The Secretary shall 
        permit a person who makes a certification under paragraph (1) 
        with respect to a conservation plan to revise the conservation 
        plan in any manner, so long as the same level of conservation 
        treatment provided for by the conservation system under the 
        person's conservation plan is maintained. The Secretary may 
        revise the person's conservation plan with the concurrence of 
        the person.
    ``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
assistance to a person throughout the development, revision, and 
application of a person's conservation plan and conservation system. At 
the request of the person, the Secretary may provide technical 
assistance regarding conservation measures and management practices for 
other lands of the person that do not contain highly erodible cropland.
    ``(f) Encouragement of On-Farm Research.--In order to encourage on-
farm conservation research, the Secretary shall allow a person to 
include in the person's conservation plan or a conservation system 
under the plan, on a field trial basis, practices that are not 
currently approved but that the Secretary considers have a reasonable 
likelihood of success.''.
    (b) Treatment of Technical Determinations.--Section 226(d)(1) of 
the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6932(d)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
``In the case of a technical determination of the Soil Conservation 
Service regarding use of a conservation system under subtitle B of 
title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.), 
the Consolidated Farm Services Agency may overrule the determination if 
the Agency determines that strict application of the determination 
causes undue economic hardship on the person using the conservation 
system.''.
    (c) Provision of Technical Assistance by Other Sources.--Section 
1243 of the Food Security Act for 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) The Secretary shall permit persons to secure technical 
assistance from sources other than the Soil Conservation Service in the 
preparation and application of a conservation compliance plan under 
subtitle B or similar plan required as a condition for assistance from 
the Department of Agriculture. If the Secretary rejects a technical 
determination made by a source other than the Soil Conservation 
Service, the basis of Secretary's determination must be supported by 
clear and convincing evidence.''.

SEC. 403. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING VARIANCES FROM CONSERVATION 
              PLANS.

    Section 1212(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3812(f)(4)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``problem'' and 
        inserting ``problem, including pest and disease problems''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) After consultation with local conservation districts, 
        the Secretary shall establish expedited procedures for the 
        consideration and granting of temporary variances under 
        paragraph (4)(C). If the request for a temporary variance under 
        such paragraph involves the use of practices or measures to 
        control pests or disease problems, the Secretary shall make a 
        decision on whether to grant the variance within 30 days of 
        receiving the request. If the Secretary fails to render a 
        decision within that time period, the temporary variance shall 
        be deemed to have been granted.''.

SEC. 404. GOOD FAITH EXEMPTION.

    (a) Grace Period To Resume Conservation Compliance.--Paragraph (1) 
of section 1212(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812(f)) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Except to the extent provided in 
        paragraph (2), no'' and inserting ``No''; and
            (2) by striking ``such person has--'' and all that follows 
        through the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting 
        the following: ``such person has acted in good faith and 
        without the intent to violate the provisions of this subtitle. 
        A person who meets the requirements of this paragraph shall be 
        allowed a period of one year in which to implement the measures 
        and practices necessary to be considered to be actively 
        applying the person's conservation plan.''.
    (b) Special Penalties Regarding Certain Highly Erodible Cropland.--
Paragraph (2) of such section is amended by striking ``meets the 
requirements of paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``with respect to highly 
erodible cropland that was not in production prior to December 23, 
1985, has acted in good faith and without the intent to violate such 
provisions''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (4) of such section is amended 
by striking the last sentence.

SEC. 405. APPLICATION OF PROGRAM INELIGIBILITY PENALTY.

    (a) Extent of Ineligibility.--Section 1211 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812(f)) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and ``Sec. 1211.'' and 
        inserting the following:

``SEC. 1211. PROGRAM INELIGIBILITY.

    ``(a) List of Programs and Payments.--''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Extent of Program Ineligibility for Price Support.--If a 
person is determined to be ineligible for program benefits specified in 
subsection (a) as a result of the failure of the person to actively 
apply or comply with the person's conservation plan, the extent of the 
ineligibility of the person with respect to benefits specified in 
subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be limited to those benefits that relate to 
agricultural commodities produced on the field that is the basis for 
such ineligibility determination. In the case of egregious and 
repetitive violations by a person, the Secretary may expand the 
ineligibility of the person for such benefits to include such benefits 
with respect to agricultural commodities produced on fields other than 
the field that is the basis for the ineligibility determination, as 
determined appropriate by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Inapplicability to Nonpaid Acres.--Such section is further 
amended by inserting after subsection (b), as added by subsection 
(a)(2), the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Inapplicability to Nonpaid Acres.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this subtitle, no person shall be ineligible for program 
benefits under subsection (a) as a result of the failure of the person 
to actively apply or comply with the person's conservation plan with 
respect to acreage that is not eligible for the type of benefits listed 
under subsection (a)(1)(A).''.
    (c) Removal of Ineligibility for Crop Insurance.--Subsection (a)(1) 
of such section, as designated by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraph (C); and
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as 
        subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively.

SEC. 406. CONSERVATION RESERVE LANDS.

    Section 1212(a)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3812(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``shall, if the conservation plan 
established under this subtitle for such land requires structures to be 
constructed,'' and inserting ``shall only be required to apply a 
conservation plan established under this subtitle. The person shall not 
be required to meet a higher conservation standard than the standard 
applied to other highly erodible cropland located within the same area. 
If the person's conservation plan requires structures to be 
constructed, the person shall''.

SEC. 407. INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE COMPLIANCE DEFICIENCIES.

    Subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 1215. INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE COMPLIANCE DEFICIENCIES.

    ``(a) Special Rule During Provision of On-Site Technical 
Assistance.--Employees of the Department of Agriculture who observe 
possible compliance deficiencies or other potential violations of a 
conservation plan or provision of this subtitle while providing on-site 
technical assistance shall provide to the responsible persons, within 
45 days, information regarding those actions needed in order to come 
into compliance. The employees shall provide this information in lieu 
of reporting the observations as compliance violations. The person 
shall attempt to correct such deficiencies as soon as practicable. If 
such corrective action is not fully implemented within 1 year, a review 
of the status of compliance of the person with the conservation plan 
may then be conducted.
    ``(b) Notice of Possible Violations.--Any interested person (other 
than an employee of an agency of the Department of Agriculture 
administering this Act) may file, in accordance with rules prescribed 
by the Secretary, a written notification of possible compliance 
deficiencies or other potential violations of a conservation plan or 
provision of this subtitle. The identity of any person filing a written 
notification under this subsection shall be considered to be 
confidential information. The identity of such person, and any portion 
of the notification to the extent that it would indicate the identity 
of such person, are specifically exempt from disclosure under section 
552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of 
Information Act), as provided in subsection (b)(3) of such section. The 
Secretary may not accept anonymous complaints or allegations.
    ``(c) Investigation of Notifications.--
            ``(1) Commencing or expanding an investigation.--If there 
        appears to be, in the opinion of the Secretary, reasonable 
        grounds for investigating a written notification made under 
        subsection (b), the Secretary may commence an investigation of 
        the alleged violation of a conservation plan or provision of 
        this subtitle specified in the notification. In the course of 
        the investigation, if the Secretary determines that violations 
        are indicated other than the alleged violations specified in 
        the notification, the Secretary may expand the investigation to 
        include such additional violations.
            ``(2) Issuance of complaint by secretary; process.--In the 
        opinion of the Secretary, if an investigation under this 
        subsection substantiates the existence of violations of a 
        conservation plan or provision of this subtitle, the Secretary 
        may cause a complaint to be issued. The Secretary shall have 
        the complaint served by registered mail or certified mail or 
        otherwise on the person concerned and afford such person an 
        opportunity for a hearing on the complaint.
    ``(d) Notification Requirements Regarding Subject of Complaint.--
Whenever the Secretary initiates an investigation on the basis of a 
written notification made under subsection (b) or expands such an 
investigation, the Secretary shall promptly notify the subject of the 
investigation of the existence of the investigation and the nature of 
the alleged violations of this subtitle to be investigated. Not later 
than 180 days after providing the initial notification, the Secretary 
shall provide the subject of the investigation with notice of the 
status of the investigation, including whether the Secretary intends to 
issue a complaint under paragraph (2), terminate the investigation, or 
continue or expand the investigation. The Secretary shall provide 
additional status reports at the request of the subject of the 
investigation and shall promptly notify the subject of the 
investigation whenever the Secretary terminates the investigation.''.

SEC. 408. PRODUCER ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    Subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended 
by inserting after section 1215, as added by section 407, the following 
new section:

``SEC. 1216. PRODUCER ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    ``At the request of a committee established for a county or an area 
under section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act 
(16 U.S.C. 590h(b)), the Secretary may establish a producer advisory 
committee in such county or area for the purpose of consulting with 
such county or area committee, conservation district board, Soil 
Conservation Service field office, and State conservationist in the 
development of reasonable and practical solutions to resource 
management goals and the establishment of conservation systems, 
measures, and practices that meet the criteria set forth in section 
1213(a). The members of the producer advisory committee shall be 
appointed by the Secretary from nominees submitted by the county or 
area committee making the request.''.

SEC. 409. EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.

    Subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended 
by inserting after section 1216, as added by section 408, the following 
new section:

``SEC. 1217. EXPIRATION OF SUBTITLE.

    ``The authorities and requirements contained in this subtitle shall 
not apply after December 31, 2002, and any program ineligibility in 
effect under section 1211 as of that date shall expire on that date.''.

      TITLE V--ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ACREAGE RESERVE PROGRAM

SEC. 501. REMOVAL OF AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE EASEMENTS TO ENROLL LANDS IN 
              WETLAND RESERVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Use of Enrollment Contracts in Lieu of Easements.--Section 
1237A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837a) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 1237A. WETLAND RESERVE CONTRACTS.

    ``(a) Contract Required.--To be eligible to place land into the 
wetland reserve under this subchapter, the owner of such land shall 
enter into a contract with the Secretary to implement a wetland 
conservation plan for the restoration and protection of the functional 
wetland values of the land placed in the wetland reserve.
    ``(b) Terms of Wetland Conservation Plan.--
            ``(1) Restoration of wetland values.--The wetland 
        conservation plan for land placed into the wetland reserve 
        shall provide for the efficient and effective restoration of 
        the functional values of wetlands.
            ``(2) Permitted activities.--The wetland conservation plan 
        for land placed into the wetland reserve shall permit the 
        following activities:
                    ``(A) Repairs, improvements, and inspections on 
                such land that are necessary to maintain existing 
                public drainage systems if such land is subsequently 
                restored to the condition required by the terms of the 
                contract.
                    ``(B) The landowner to control public access on 
                such land while identifying access routes to be used 
                for wetland restoration activities, management, and 
                monitoring.
            ``(3) Prohibitions.--The wetland conservation plan for land 
        placed into the wetland reserve shall prohibit the following 
        activities:
                    ``(A) The alteration of wildlife habitat and other 
                natural features of such land, unless specifically 
                permitted by the plan.
                    ``(B) The spraying of such land with chemicals or 
                the mowing of such land, except where such spraying or 
                mowing is permitted by the plan or is necessary--
                            ``(i) to comply with Federal or State 
                        noxious weed control laws; or
                            ``(ii) to comply with a Federal or State 
                        emergency pest treatment program.
                    ``(C) Any activities to be carried out on such 
                participating landowner's or successor's land that is 
                immediately adjacent to, and functionally related to, 
                the land that is placed in the wetland reserve if such 
                activities will alter, degrade, or otherwise diminish 
                the functional value of the eligible land.
                    ``(D) The adoption of any other practice that would 
                tend to defeat the purposes of this subchapter, as 
                determined by the Secretary;
            ``(4) Additional provisions.--The Secretary may require 
        such additional provisions in a wetland conservation plan as 
        the Secretary determines are desirable to carry out this 
        subchapter or to facilitate the practical administration of 
        this subchapter.
    ``(c) Development of Wetland Conservation Plan.--The development of 
a wetland conservation plan under this section shall be made through 
the local offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
    ``(d) Duties of Owners and Operators.--Under the terms of a 
contract entered into under this section, the owner or operator of the 
land placed in the wetland reserve shall agree to comply with the terms 
of the contract and the wetland conservation plan and shall agree to 
the retirement, during the term of the contract, of any existing 
cropland base and allotment history for such land under any program 
administered by the Secretary.
    ``(e) Compatible Uses.--Wetland reserve program lands may be used 
for compatible economic uses, including such activities as hunting and 
fishing, managed timber harvest, or periodic haying or grazing, if such 
use is specifically permitted by the wetland conservation plan and 
consistent with the long-term protection and enhancement of the 
functional wetland values of the land placed in the wetland reserve.
    ``(f) Period of Contract.--The term of a contract to place land 
into the wetland reserve under this subchapter may not exceed 15 years.
    ``(g) Payments Under Contract.--Payments under a contract entered 
into under this section shall be made annually during the term of the 
contract in such an annual amount as is agreed to and specified in the 
contract, but not to exceed the fair market rental value of the land. 
Lands may be enrolled through the submission of bids under a procedure 
established by the Secretary.
    ``(h) Violation.--On the violation of the terms or conditions of 
the contract or wetland conservation plan for land placed in the 
wetland reserve under this subchapter, the Secretary may require the 
owner to refund all or part of any payments received by the owner under 
the contract, together with interest thereon as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Amount of Cost Share Assistance.--Subsection (b) of section 
1237C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837c) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(b) Cost Share Assistance.--In making cost share payments under 
subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall pay the owner an amount that is 
equal to 50 percent of the cost of carrying out the conservation and 
wetland measures and practices for which the assistance is provided 
under such subsection.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments Regarding References to Easements.--
Subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3830 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 1230 (16 U.S.C. 3830)--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``and the 
                acquisition of easements''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``and acquire 
                interests in lands through easements from owners'';
            (2) in section 1235A(b)(2) (16 U.S.C. 3835a(b)(2)), by 
        striking ``an agreement to provide the Secretary with a long-
        term or permanent easement'' and inserting ``a contract'';
            (3) in section 1237 (16 U.S.C. 3837)--
                    (A) in subsection (d), by striking paragraphs (2) 
                and (3) and inserting the following new paragraphs:
            ``(2) other wetland of an owner that would not otherwise be 
        eligible if the Secretary determines that the inclusion of such 
        wetland in a contract under section 1237 would significantly 
        add to the functional value of the wetland; and
            ``(3) riparian areas that link wetlands that are protected 
        by contracts under such section.''; and
                    (B) in subsection (g), by striking ``purchase of 
                easements as provided for in '' and inserting ``use of 
                contracts under'';
            (4) by striking section 1237B (16 U.S.C. 3837b);
            (5) in section 1237C (16 U.S.C. 3837c)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking ``In return for the 
                        granting of an easement by an owner under this 
                        subchapter'' and inserting ``Under a contract 
                        entered into by the Secretary under section 
                        1237A''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                        ``easement'' and inserting ``contract'';
                    (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``easement'' 
                both places it appears; and
                    (C) by striking subsection (d);
            (6) in section 1237D (16 U.S.C. 3837d)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``easement'';
                    (B) in subsection (c)(1)--
                            (i) by striking ``easement payments'' and 
                        inserting ``contract payments''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``, except such limitation 
                        shall not apply with respect to payments for 
                        perpetual easements''; and
                    (C) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``Easement 
                payments'' and inserting ``Contract payments'';
            (7) in section 1237E (16 U.S.C. 3837e)--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``No easement 
                shall be created under this subchapter on'' and 
                inserting ``The Secretary may not enter into a contract 
                under section 1237A regarding'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``an easement 
                acquired from, or a related agreement with,'' and 
                inserting ``a contract entered into with'';
                    (C) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ``an 
                easement created'' and inserting ``a contract entered 
                into''; and
                    (D) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by striking 
                ``easements'' and inserting ``contracts''; and
            (8) in section 1237F(a) (16 U.S.C. 3837f(a))--
                    (A) by striking ``Easement'' in the subsection 
                heading; and
                    (B) by striking ``easement'' and inserting 
                ``contract''.

SEC. 502. ELIMINATION OF CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS WITH SECRETARY OF 
              THE INTERIOR.

    (a) Prior to Enrollment of Lands.--Section 1237(c) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837(c)) is amended by striking ``, in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior at the local level,''.
    (b) Other Consultation Requirements.--Section 1242 of such Act (16 
U.S.C. 3842) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a)'' before ``In carrying out''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).

SEC. 503. REPEAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL EASEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal.--Chapter 3 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
Security Act (16 U.S.C. 3839-3839d) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Such title is further amended--
            (A) in section 1211(3) (16 U.S.C. 3811(3)), by striking 
        subparagraph (E);
            (B) in section 1221(a)(3) (16 U.S.C. 3821(a)(3)), by 
        striking subparagraph (E); and
            (C) in section 1243(f) (16 U.S.C. 3843(f))--
                    (i) in paragraph (1), by striking `` and the 
                Environmental Easement Program under chapter 3, and not 
                more than 10 percent of such cropland may be subject to 
                an easement acquired under those chapters''; and
                    (ii) by striking paragraph (2).
    (2) Subsection (c) of section 1437 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624; 16 U.S.C. 3831 
note) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Extension Authority.--During the 1996 through 2000 calendar 
years, the Secretary of Agriculture may extend up to 10 years contracts 
entered into before November 28, 1990, under subchapter B of chapter 1 
of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3831 et seq.) at the option of the owner or operator on land that the 
Secretary has determined under the study conducted under subsection (a) 
should remain in conserving uses.''.

SEC. 504. EFFECT ON EXISTING EASEMENTS.

    The amendments made by this title shall not affect the validity or 
terms of any easements acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture under 
subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837 et seq.) or under chapter 3 of 
such subtitle (16 U.S.C. 3839 et seq.) before the date of the enactment 
of this Act or any payments required to be made in connection with such 
easements.

                   TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 601. CLARIFICATION OF EFFECT OF RESOURCE PLANNING ON ALLOCATION OR 
              USE OF WATER.

    (a) Forest Service Authorities.--Section 6 of the Forest and 
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(n) Limitation on Authority.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to supersede, abrogate or otherwise impair any right or 
authority of a State to allocate quantities of water (including 
boundary waters). Nothing in this section shall be implemented, 
enforced, or construed to allow any officer or agency of the United 
States to utilize directly or indirectly the authorities established 
under this section to impose any requirement not imposed by the State 
which would supersede, abrogate, or otherwise impair rights to the use 
of water resources allocated under State law, interstate water compact, 
or Supreme Court decree, or held by the United States for use by a 
State, its political subdivisions, or its citizens. No water rights 
arise in the United States or any other person under the provisions of 
this Act.''.
    (b) Bureau of Land Management Authorities.--
            (1) Land use planning.--Section 202 of the Federal Land 
        Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Limitation on Authority.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to supersede, abrogate, or otherwise impair any right or 
authority of a State to allocate quantities of water (including 
boundary waters). Nothing in this section shall be implemented, 
enforced, or construed to allow any officer or agency of the United 
States to utilize directly or indirectly the authorities 
established under this section to impose any requirement not imposed by 
the State which would supersede, abrogate, or otherwise impair rights 
to the use of water resources allocated under State law, interstate 
water compact, or Supreme Court decree, or held by the United States 
for use by a State, its political subdivisions, or its citizens. No 
water rights arise in the United States or any other person under the 
provisions of this Act.''.
            (2) Rights-of-way.--Section 501 of such Act (43 U.S.C. 
        1761) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (c)(1)--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (B);
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                        ``originally constructed'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (G), by striking 
                        ``1996'' and inserting ``1998''; and
                            (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) 
                        through (G) as subparagraphs (B) through (F), 
                        respectively;
                    (B) in subsection (c)(3)(A), by striking the second 
                and third sentences; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subsection:
    ``(e) Effect on Valid Existing Rights.--Notwithstanding any 
provision of this section, no Federal agency may require, as a 
condition of, or in connection with, the granting, issuance, or renewal 
of a right-of-way under this section, a restriction or limitation on 
the operation, use, repair, or replacement of an existing water supply 
facility which is located on or above National Forest lands or the 
exercise and use of existing water rights, if such condition would 
reduce the quantity of water which would otherwise be made available 
for use by the owner of such facility or water rights, or cause an 
increase in the cost of the water supply provided from such 
facility.''.

SEC. 602. REPEAL OF STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES.

    (a) Repeal.--Subtitle G of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 1261 and 3862) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1628 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831) is amended by 
striking ``, subtitle G of title XIV'' both places it appears.

SEC. 603. REPEAL OF PROGRAM REGARDING MANAGEMENT OF UNDESIRABLE PLANTS 
              ON FEDERAL LANDS.

    Section 15 of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 (7 U.S.C. 2814) 
is repealed.

SEC. 604. REPEAL OF COMPOSTING RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM.

    Section 1456 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3130) is repealed.

SEC. 605. REPEAL OF FARMS FOR THE FUTURE ACT OF 1990.

    The Farms for the Future Act of 1990 (chapter 2 of subtitle E of 
title XIX of Public Law 101-624; 7 U.S.C. 4201 note) is repealed.

SEC. 606. ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS.

    (a) Repeal.--Subtitle F of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5401-5403) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Such Act is further amended--
            (1) in section 1482(d) (7 U.S.C. 5502(d)), by striking ``in 
        conjunction with the report required under section 1473(c). The 
        report'' and inserting ``, which''; and
            (2) in section 1499(a) (7 U.S.C. 5506(a)), by striking the 
        last sentence.
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