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(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2504. AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCED 
SERVICES PROGRAM. 
(a) FUNDING.—Section 1252 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851) is amended by striking subsection 
(c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may carry out 
the ACES program using funds made available to 
carry out each program under this title. 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSION.—Funds made available to 
carry out the conservation reserve program may not 
be used to carry out the ACES program.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2505. SMALL WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM. 
Section 14(h)(2)(E) of the Watershed Protection and 
Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1012(h)(2)(E)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2018’’. 
SEC. 2506. EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 
U.S.C. 2203) is amended—
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(1) by striking ‘‘SEC. 402.—The Secretary’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 402. EMERGENCY MEASURES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) FLOODPLAIN EASEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) MODIFICATION
AND
TERMINATION.—The 
Secretary may modify or terminate a floodplain ease-
ment administered by the Secretary under this section 
if— 
‘‘(A) the current owner agrees to the modi-
fication or termination; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that the 
modification or termination— 
‘‘(i) will address a compelling public 
need for which there is no practicable alter-
native; and 
‘‘(ii) is in the public interest. 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATION.— 
‘‘(A) TERMINATION.—As consideration for 
termination of an easement and associated 
agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall enter into compensatory arrangements as 
determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
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‘‘(B) MODIFICATION.—In the case of a 
modification under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) as a condition of the modification, 
the current owner shall enter into a com-
pensatory arrangement (as determined to be 
appropriate by the Secretary) to incur the 
costs of modification; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary shall ensure that— 
‘‘(I) the modification will not ad-
versely affect the floodplain functions 
and values for which the easement was 
acquired; 
‘‘(II) any adverse impacts will be 
mitigated by enrollment and restora-
tion of other land that provides greater 
floodplain functions and values at no 
additional cost to the Federal Govern-
ment; and 
‘‘(III) the modification will result 
in equal or greater environmental and 
economic values to the United States.’’. 
SEC. 2507. TERMINAL LAKES ASSISTANCE. 
Section 2507 of the Food, Security, and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (43 U.S.C. 2211 note; Public Law 107– 
171) is amended to read as follows:
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‘‘SEC. 2507. TERMINAL LAKES ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE LAND.—The term ‘eligible land’ 
means privately owned agricultural land (including 
land in which a State has a property interest as a 
result of state water law)— 
‘‘(A) that a landowner voluntarily agrees to 
sell to a State; and 
‘‘(B) which— 
‘‘(i)(I) is ineligible for enrollment as a 
wetland reserve easement established under 
the Agricultural Conservation Easement 
Program under subtitle H of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985; 
‘‘(II) is flooded to— 
‘‘(aa) an average depth of at least 
6.5 feet; or 
‘‘(bb) a level below which the 
State determines the management of 
the water level is beyond the control of 
the State or landowner; or 
‘‘(III) is inaccessible for agricultural 
use due to the flooding of adjoining prop-
erty (such as islands of agricultural land 
created by flooding);
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‘‘(ii) is located within a watershed 
with water rights available for lease or pur-
chase; and 
‘‘(iii) has been used during at least 5 
of the immediately preceding 30 years— 
‘‘(I) to produce crops or hay; or 
‘‘(II) as livestock pasture or graz-
ing. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM.—The term ‘program’ means the 
voluntary land purchase program established under 
this section. 
‘‘(3) TERMINAL LAKE.—The term ‘terminal lake’ 
means a lake and its associated riparian and water-
shed resources that is— 
‘‘(A) considered flooded because there is no 
natural outlet for water accumulating in the lake 
or the associated riparian area such that the wa-
tershed and surrounding land is consistently 
flooded; or 
‘‘(B) considered terminal because it has no 
natural outlet and is at risk due to a history of 
consistent Federal assistance to address critical 
resource conditions, including insufficient water 
available to meet the needs of the lake, general 
uses, and water rights.
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‘‘(b) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) provide grants under subsection (c) for the 
purchase of eligible land impacted by a terminal lake 
described in subsection (a)(3)(A); and 
‘‘(2) provide funds to the Secretary of the Inte-
rior pursuant to subsection (e)(2) with assistance in 
accordance with subsection (d) for terminal lakes de-
scribed in subsection (a)(3)(B). 
‘‘(c) LAND PURCHASE GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using funds provided under 
subsection (e)(1), the Secretary shall make available 
land purchase grants to States for the purchase of eli-
gible land in accordance with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(A) AMOUNT.—A land purchase grant 
shall be in an amount not to exceed the lesser 
of— 
‘‘(i) 50 percent of the total purchase 
price per acre of the eligible land; or 
‘‘(ii)(I) in the case of eligible land that 
was used to produce crops or hay, $400 per 
acre; and 
‘‘(II) in the case of eligible land that 
was pasture or grazing land, $200 per acre.
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‘‘(B) 
DETERMINATION
OF
PURCHASE 
PRICE.—A State purchasing eligible land with a 
land purchase grant shall ensure, to the max-
imum extent practicable, that the purchase price 
of such land reflects the value, if any, of other 
encumbrances on the eligible land to be pur-
chased, including easements and mineral rights. 
‘‘(C) COST-SHARE REQUIRED.—To be eligi-
ble to receive a land purchase grant, a State 
shall provide matching non-Federal funds in an 
amount equal to 50 percent of the amount de-
scribed in subparagraph (A), including addi-
tional non-Federal funds. 
‘‘(D) CONDITIONS.—To receive a land pur-
chase grant, a State shall agree— 
‘‘(i) to ensure that any eligible land 
purchased is— 
‘‘(I) conveyed in fee simple to the 
State; and 
‘‘(II) free from mortgages or other 
liens at the time title is transferred; 
‘‘(ii) to maintain ownership of the eli-
gible land in perpetuity; 
‘‘(iii) to pay (from funds other than 
grant dollars awarded) any costs associated
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with the purchase of eligible land under this 
section, including surveys and legal fees; 
and 
‘‘(iv) to keep eligible land in a con-
serving use, as defined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(E) LOSS OF FEDERAL BENEFITS.—Eligi-
ble land purchased with a grant under this sec-
tion shall lose eligibility for any benefits under 
other Federal programs, including— 
‘‘(i) benefits under title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et 
seq.); 
‘‘(ii) benefits under the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and 
‘‘(iii) covered benefits described in sec-
tion 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a). 
‘‘(F) PROHIBITION.—Any Federal rights or 
benefits associated with eligible land prior to 
purchase by a State may not be transferred to 
any other land or person in anticipation of or 
as a result of such purchase. 
‘‘(d) WATER ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclama-
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tion, may use the funds described in subsection (e)(2) 
to administer and provide financial assistance to 
carry out this subsection to provide water and assist-
ance to a terminal lake described in subsection 
(a)(3)(B) through willing sellers or willing partici-
pants only— 
‘‘(A) to lease water; 
‘‘(B) to purchase land, water appurtenant 
to the land, and related interests; and 
‘‘(C) to carry out research, support and con-
servation activities for associated fish, wildlife, 
plant, and habitat resources.’’ 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSIONS.—The Secretary of the Interior 
may not use this subsection to deliver assistance to 
the Great Salt Lake in Utah, lakes that are consid-
ered dry lakes, or other lakes that do not meet the 
purposes of this section, as determined by the Sec-
retary of the Interior. 
‘‘(3) TRANSITIONAL PROVISION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this section, any funds made 
available before the date of enactment of the Ag-
riculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 
under a provision of law described in subpara-
graph (B) shall remain available using the pro-
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visions of law (including regulations) in effect on 
the day before the date of enactment of that Act. 
‘‘(B) DESCRIBED LAWS.—The provisions of 
law described in this section are— 
‘‘(i) section 2507 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (43 
U.S.C. 2211 note; Public Law 107–171) (as 
in effect on the day before the date of enact-
ment of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and 
Jobs Act of 2013); 
‘‘(ii) section 207 of the Energy and 
Water Development Appropriations Act, 
2003 (Public Law 108–7; 117 Stat. 146); 
‘‘(iii) section 208 of the Energy and 
Water Development Appropriations Act, 
2006 (Public Law 109–103; 119 Stat. 2268, 
123 Stat. 2856); and 
‘‘(iv) section 208 of the Energy and 
Water Development and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111– 
85; 123 Stat. 2858, 123 Stat. 2967, 125 
Stat. 867). 
‘‘(e) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
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† HR 2642 EAS 
retary to carry out subsection (c) $25,000,000, to re-
main available until expended. 
‘‘(2) COMMODITY
CREDIT
CORPORATION.—As 
soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the 
Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, the 
Secretary shall transfer to the Bureau of Reclamation 
Water and Related Resources Account $150,000,000 
from the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
to carry out subsection (d), to remain available until 
expended.’’. 
SEC. 2508. STUDY OF POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE 
WETLAND MITIGATION PROCESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a 
study— 
(1) to evaluate the use of wetland mitigation 
procedures under this title and the amendments made 
by this title; 
(2) to determine the impact to wildlife habitat of 
relaxing the acre-for-acre requirement for wetland 
mitigation plans that result in new wetland that pos-
sesses a function and value greater than the wetland 
that is replaced; and 
(3) to provide legislative recommendations for 
how wetland mitigation procedures could be improved
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† HR 2642 EAS 
to better enable agricultural producers to use wetland 
mitigation in a manner that— 
(A) benefits wildlife habitat; and 
(B) allows producers greater access to the 
wetland mitigation process. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— 
(1) submit to Congress a report that contains— 
(A) the findings of the study; and 
(B) any legislative recommendations under 
subsection (a)(3); and 
(2) publish the findings of the study on a public 
website and in the Federal Register. 
SEC. 2509. SOIL AND WATER RESOURCE CONSERVATION. 
(a) CONGRESSIONAL POLICY AND DECLARATION OF 
PURPOSE.—Section 4 of the Soil and Water Resources Con-
servation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2003) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘and tribal’’ 
after ‘‘State’’ each place it appears; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ‘‘, tribal,’’ 
after ‘‘State’’. 
(b) CONTINUING APPRAISAL OF SOIL, WATER, AND 
RELATED RESOURCES.—Section 5 of the Soil and Water 
Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2004) is 
amended—
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(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘and State’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, State, and tribal’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘, tribal’’ after 
‘‘State’’ each place it appears; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘State soil’’ and inserting 
‘‘State and tribal soil’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘local’’ and inserting ‘‘local, 
tribal,’’. 
(c) SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 6(a) of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act 
of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2005(a)) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, tribal’’ after ‘‘State’’ each 
place it appears; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘, tribal,’’ after ‘‘private’’. 
(d) UTILIZATION OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND 
DATA.—Section 9 of the Soil and Water Resources Con-
servation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2008) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘, tribal’’ after ‘‘State’’. 
Subtitle G—Funding and 
Administration 
SEC. 2601. FUNDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1241 of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended by striking sub-
section (a) and inserting the following:
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† HR 2642 EAS 
‘‘(a) ANNUAL FUNDING.—For each of fiscal years 2014 
through 2018, the Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, 
and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to 
carry out the following programs under this title (including 
the provision of technical assistance): 
‘‘(1) The conservation reserve program under 
subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, including, to 
the maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) $10,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
years 2014 through 2018 to provide payments 
under paragraph (3) of section 1234(b) in con-
nection with thinning activities conducted on 
land described in subparagraph (B)(iii) of that 
paragraph; and 
‘‘(B) $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
years 2014 through 2018 to carry out section 
1235(f) to facilitate the transfer of land subject 
to contracts from retired or retiring owners and 
operators to beginning farmers or ranchers and 
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(2) The Agricultural Conservation Easement 
Program under subtitle H using to the maximum ex-
tent practicable— 
‘‘(A) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; 
‘‘(B) $475,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
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‘‘(C) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
‘‘(D) $525,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and 
‘‘(E) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2018. 
‘‘(3) The conservation security program under 
subchapter A of chapter 2 of subtitle D, using such 
sums as are necessary to administer contracts entered 
into before September 30, 2008. 
‘‘(4) The conservation stewardship program 
under subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D. 
‘‘(5) The environmental quality incentives pro-
gram under chapter 4 of subtitle D, using, to the 
maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) $1,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; 
‘‘(B) $1,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; 
and 
‘‘(C) $1,650,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2016 through 2018.’’. 
(b) GUARANTEED AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Section 
1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (h) 
as subsections (c) through (i), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing:
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‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Amounts made avail-
able by subsection (a) shall be used by the Secretary to carry 
out the programs specified in such subsection for fiscal 
years 2014 through 2018 and shall remain available until 
expended. Amounts made available for the programs speci-
fied in such subsection during a fiscal year through modi-
fications, cancellations, terminations, and other related ad-
ministrative actions and not obligated in that fiscal year 
shall remain available for obligation during subsequent fis-
cal years, but shall reduce the amount of additional funds 
made available in the subsequent fiscal year by an amount 
equal to the amount remaining unobligated.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by para-
graph (1)), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and inserting 
‘‘subsection (c)’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2602. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3841) is amended by striking subsection (c) (as re-
designated by section 2601(b)(1)) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
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‘‘(1) AVAILABILITY.—Commodity Credit Cor-
poration funds made available for a fiscal year for 
each of the programs specified in subsection (a)— 
‘‘(A) shall be available for the provision of 
technical assistance for the programs for which 
funds are made available as necessary to imple-
ment the programs effectively; 
‘‘(B) except for technical assistance for the 
conservation reserve program under subchapter 
B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, shall be apportioned 
for the provision of technical assistance in the 
amount determined by the Secretary, at the sole 
discretion of the Secretary; and 
‘‘(C) shall not be available for the provision 
of technical assistance for conservation programs 
specified in subsection (a) other than the pro-
gram for which the funds were made available. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the delivery of tech-
nical assistance under the Soil Conservation and 
Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590a et seq.), 
the Secretary shall give priority to producers 
who request technical assistance from the Sec-
retary in order to comply for the first time with 
the requirements of subtitle B and subtitle C of
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† HR 2642 EAS 
this title as a result of the amendments made by 
section 2609 of the Agriculture Reform, Food, 
and Jobs Act of 2013. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Re-
form, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report regarding the extent to which the 
conservation compliance requirements contained 
in the amendments made by section 2609 of the 
Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 
apply to and impact specialty crop growers, in-
cluding national analysis and surveys to deter-
mine the extent of specialty crop acreage includes 
highly erodible land and wetlands. 
‘‘(3) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 
2013, the Secretary shall submit (and update as nec-
essary in subsequent years) to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report— 
‘‘(A) detailing the amount of technical as-
sistance funds requested and apportioned in each
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program specified in subsection (a) during the 
preceding fiscal year; and 
‘‘(B) any other data relating to this provi-
sion that would be helpful to such Committees. 
‘‘(4) COMPLIANCE REPORT.—Not later than No-
vember 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that in-
cludes— 
‘‘(A) a description of the extent to which the 
requests for highly erodible land conservation 
and wetland compliance determinations are 
being addressed in a timely manner; 
‘‘(B) the total number of requests completed 
in the previous fiscal year; 
‘‘(C) the incomplete determinations on 
record; and 
‘‘(D) the number of requests that are still 
outstanding more than 1 year since the date on 
which the requests were received from the pro-
ducer.’’. 
SEC. 2603. REGIONAL EQUITY. 
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3841) is amended by striking subsection (e) (as re-
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† HR 2642 EAS 
designated by section 2601(b)(1)) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) REGIONAL EQUITY.— 
‘‘(1) EQUITABLE
DISTRIBUTION.—When deter-
mining funding allocations each fiscal year, the Sec-
retary shall, after considering available funding and 
program demand in each State, provide a distribu-
tion of funds for conservation programs under subtitle 
D (excluding the conservation reserve program under 
subchapter B of chapter 1), subtitle H, and subtitle 
I to ensure equitable program participation propor-
tional to historical funding allocations and usage by 
all States. 
‘‘(2) MINIMUM
PERCENTAGE.—In determining 
the specific funding allocations under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) ensure that during the first quarter of 
each fiscal year each State has the opportunity 
to establish that the State can use an aggregate 
allocation amount of at least 0.6 percent of the 
funds made available for those conservation pro-
grams; and 
‘‘(B) for each State that can so establish, 
provide an aggregate amount of at least 0.6 per-
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† HR 2642 EAS 
cent of the funds made available for those con-
servation programs.’’. 
SEC. 2604. RESERVATION OF FUNDS TO PROVIDE ASSIST-
ANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS OR RANCHERS 
FOR CONSERVATION ACCESS. 
Subsection (h) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) (as redesignated by section 
2601(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘2012’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2018’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PREFERENCE.—In providing assistance 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give pref-
erence to a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in 
section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))) that 
qualifies under subparagraph (A) or (B) of para-
graph (1).’’. 
SEC. 2605. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRAM ENROLLMENTS 
AND ASSISTANCE. 
Subsection (i) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) (as redesignated by section 
2601(b)(1)) is amended—
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(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘wetlands re-
serve program’’ and inserting ‘‘agricultural conserva-
tion easement program’’; 
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and re-
designating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as para-
graphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively; 
(3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘agricultural water en-
hancement program’’ and inserting ‘‘regional 
conservation partnership program’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘section 1240I(g)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 1271C(c)(3)’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) Payments made under the conservation 
stewardship program. 
‘‘(6) Waivers granted by the Secretary under sec-
tion 1265B(b)(2)(C).’’. 
SEC. 2606. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CON-
SERVATION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3844) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(E) Veteran farmers or ranchers (as de-
fined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture,
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† HR 2642 EAS 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(e))).’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘, H, and I’’ 
before the period at the end; 
(3) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘coun-
try’’ and inserting ‘‘county’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (c)(2)(B) or (f)(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (c)(2)(A)(ii) or (f)(2)’’; and 
(4) in subsection (h)(2), by inserting ‘‘including, 
to the extent practicable, practices that maximize ben-
efits for honey bees’’ after ‘‘pollinators’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) IMPROVED ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY AND EF-
FECTIVENESS.—In administrating a conservation program 
under this title, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable— 
‘‘(1) seek to reduce administrative burdens and 
costs to producers by streamlining conservation plan-
ning and program resources; and 
‘‘(2) take advantage of new technologies to en-
hance efficiency and effectiveness. 
‘‘(k) RELATION TO OTHER PAYMENTS.—Any payment 
received by an owner or operator under this title, including
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an easement payment or rental payment, shall be in addi-
tion to, and not affect, the total amount of payments that 
the owner or operator is otherwise eligible to receive under 
any of the following: 
‘‘(1) This Act. 
‘‘(2) The Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 
1421 et seq.). 
‘‘(3) The Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act 
of 2013. 
‘‘(4) Any law that succeeds a law specified in 
paragraph (1), (2), or (3). 
‘‘(l) FUNDING FOR INDIAN TRIBES.—In carrying out 
the conservation stewardship program under subchapter B 
of chapter 2 of subtitle D and the environmental quality 
incentives program under chapter 4 of subtitle D, the Sec-
retary may enter into alternative funding arrangements 
with Indian tribes if the Secretary determines that the goals 
and objectives of the programs will be met by such arrange-
ments, and that statutory limitations regarding contracts 
with individual producers will not be exceeded by any Trib-
al member.’’. 
SEC. 2607. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. 
Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
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‘‘SEC. 1246. REGULATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promulgate 
such regulations as are necessary to implement programs 
under this title, including such regulations as the Secretary 
determines to be necessary to ensure a fair and reasonable 
application of the limitations established under section 
1244(f). 
‘‘(b) RULEMAKING PROCEDURE.—The promulgation of 
regulations and administration of programs under this 
title— 
‘‘(1) shall be carried out without regard to— 
‘‘(A) the Statement of Policy of the Sec-
retary effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 
13804), relating to notices of proposed rule-
making and public participation in rulemaking; 
and 
‘‘(B) chapter 35 of title 44, United States 
Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Re-
duction Act); and 
‘‘(2) shall be made as an interim rule effective 
on publication with an opportunity for notice and 
comment. 
‘‘(c) CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW
OF AGENCY RULE-
MAKING.—In promulgating regulations under this section, 
the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 
808 of title 5, United States Code.’’.
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SEC. 2608. STANDARDS FOR STATE TECHNICAL COMMIT-
TEES. 
Section 1261(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3861(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008, the Secretary shall develop’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The Secretary shall review and update as nec-
essary’’. 
SEC. 2609. HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND CON-
SERVATION FOR CROP INSURANCE. 
(a) HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND PROGRAM INELIGI-
BILITY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 1211(a)(1) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)(1)) is 
amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘or’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by adding ‘‘or’’ 
at the end; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) any portion of premium paid by the 
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for a plan 
or policy of insurance under the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), on the 
condition that if a person is determined to have 
committed a violation under this subsection dur-
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† HR 2642 EAS 
ing a crop year, ineligibility under this subpara-
graph shall— 
‘‘(i) only apply to reinsurance years 
subsequent to the date of final determina-
tion of a violation, including all adminis-
trative appeals; and 
‘‘(ii) not apply to the existing reinsur-
ance year or any reinsurance year prior to 
the date of final determination.’’. 
(2) EXEMPTIONS.—Section 1212(a)(2) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812(a)(2)) is 
amended— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘(2) 
If,’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY BASED ON COMPLIANCE WITH 
CONSERVATION PLAN.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If,’’; 
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘In 
carrying’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) MINIMIZATION OF DOCUMENTATION.— 
In carrying’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) CROP
INSURANCE.—Notwithstanding 
section 1211(a)—
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‘‘(i) in the case of a person that is sub-
ject to section 1211 for the first time after 
May 1, 2013, due to the amendment made 
by section 2609(a) of the Agriculture Re-
form, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, any per-
son who produces an agricultural com-
modity on the land that is the basis of the 
payments 
described 
in 
section 
1211(a)(1)(E) shall have 5 reinsurance 
years after the date on which such pay-
ments become subject to section 1211 to de-
velop and comply with an approved con-
servation plan so as to maintain eligibility 
for such payments; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a person that the 
Secretary determines would have been in 
violation of section 1211(a) if the person 
had continued participation in the pro-
grams requiring compliance at any time 
after the date of enactment of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 8701 et seq.) and is currently in vio-
lation of section 1211(a), the person shall 
have 2 reinsurance years after the date on 
which the payments described in section
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† HR 2642 EAS 
1211(a)(1)(E) become subject to section 
1211 to develop and comply with an ap-
proved conservation plan, as determined by 
the Secretary, so as to maintain eligibility 
for such payments.’’. 
(b) WETLAND
CONSERVATION
PROGRAM
INELIGI-
BILITY.—Section 1221 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3821) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) CROP INSURANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
this paragraph, a person subject to a final deter-
mination, including all administrative appeals, 
of a violation of subsection (c) shall have 1 rein-
surance year to initiate a conservation plan to 
remedy the violation, as determined by the Sec-
retary, before becoming ineligible under that sub-
section in the following reinsurance year to re-
ceive any payment of any portion of premium 
paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 
for a plan or policy of insurance under the Fed-
eral Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY.—In the case of a per-
son that is subject to this subsection or subsection
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(d) for the first time due to the amendment made 
by section 2609(b) of the Agriculture Reform, 
Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, the person shall 
have 2 reinsurance years after the date of final 
determination, including all administrative ap-
peals, to take such steps as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate to remedy or mitigate the vio-
lation in accordance with subsection (c). 
‘‘(C) GOOD FAITH.—If the Secretary deter-
mines that a person subject to a final determina-
tion, including all administrative appeals, of a 
violation of subsection (c) acted in good faith 
and without intent to violate this section as de-
scribed in section 1222(h), the Secretary shall 
give the person 1 reinsurance year to begin miti-
gation, restoration, or such other steps as are de-
termined necessary by the Secretary. 
‘‘(D) TENANT RELIEF.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If a tenant is de-
termined to be ineligible for payments and 
other benefits under this section, the Sec-
retary may limit the ineligibility only to 
the farm that is the basis for the ineligi-
bility determination if the tenant has estab-
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lished, to the satisfaction of the Secretary 
that— 
‘‘(I) the tenant has made a good 
faith effort to meet the requirements of 
this section, including enlisting the as-
sistance of the Secretary to obtain a 
reasonable conservation plan for res-
toration or mitigation for the farm; 
‘‘(II) the landlord on the farm re-
fuses to comply with the plan on the 
farm; and 
‘‘(III) the Secretary determines 
that the lack of compliance is not a 
part of a scheme or device to avoid the 
compliance. 
‘‘(ii) REPORT.—The Secretary shall 
provide an annual report to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate con-
cerning the ineligibility determinations lim-
ited during the previous 12-month period 
under this subparagraph. 
‘‘(E) CERTIFICATION.—
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‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Beginning with the 
first full reinsurance year immediately fol-
lowing the date of enactment of this para-
graph, all persons seeking eligibility for the 
payment of a portion of the premium paid 
by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 
for a plan or policy of insurance under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.) shall provide certification of compli-
ance with this section as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) TIMELY EVALUATION.—The Sec-
retary shall evaluate the certification in a 
timely manner and— 
‘‘(I) a person who has properly 
complied with certification shall be 
held harmless with regard to eligibility 
during the period of evaluation; and 
‘‘(II) if the Secretary fails to 
evaluate the certification in a timely 
manner and the person is subsequently 
found to be in violation of subsection 
(c), ineligibility shall not apply to the 
person for that violation. 
‘‘(iii) EQUITABLE CONTRIBUTION.—
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† HR 2642 EAS 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—If a person 
fails to notify the Secretary as required 
and is subsequently found in violation 
of subsection (c), the Secretary shall 
determine the amount of an equitable 
contribution to conservation in accord-
ance with section 1241(f) by the person 
for the violation. 
‘‘(II) LIMITATION.—The contribu-
tion shall not exceed the total of the 
portion of premium paid by the Fed-
eral Crop Insurance Corporation for a 
plan or policy of insurance for all 
years the person is determined to have 
been in violation subsequent to the date 
on which certification was first re-
quired under this subparagraph.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) 
as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) INELIGIBILITY FOR CROP INSURANCE PREMIUM 
ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If a person is determined to 
have committed a violation under subsection (a) or
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(d) during a crop year, the person shall be ineligible 
to receive any payment of any portion of premium 
paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for 
a plan or policy of insurance under the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). 
‘‘(2) APPLICABILITY.—Ineligibility under this 
subsection shall— 
‘‘(A) only apply to reinsurance years subse-
quent to the date of final determination of a vio-
lation, including all administrative appeals; and 
‘‘(B) not apply to— 
‘‘(i) the existing reinsurance year; or 
‘‘(ii) any reinsurance year prior to the 
date of final determination. 
‘‘(3) DATE
OF
CONVERSION.—Notwithstanding 
subsection (d), ineligibility for crop insurance pre-
mium assistance shall apply as follows: 
‘‘(A) In the case of wetland that the Sec-
retary determines was converted after the date of 
enactment of the Food, Conservation and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8701 et seq.) but on or be-
fore May 1, 2013, and continues to be in viola-
tion, the person shall have 2 reinsurance years 
after the date on which this subsection applies,
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† HR 2642 EAS 
to begin the mitigation process, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) In the case of wetland that the Sec-
retary determines was converted after May 1, 
2013— 
‘‘(i) subject to clause (ii), the person 
shall be ineligible to receive crop insurance 
premium subsidies in subsequent reinsur-
ance years unless section 1222(b) applies; 
and 
‘‘(ii) for any violation that the Sec-
retary determines impacts less than 5 acres 
of the entire farm, the person may pay a 
contribution in accordance with section 
1241(f) in an amount equal to 150 percent 
of the cost of mitigation, as determined by 
the Secretary, for wetland restoration in 
lieu of ineligibility to receive crop insurance 
premium assistance. 
‘‘(C) In the case of a wetland that the Sec-
retary determines was converted prior to the date 
of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and En-
ergy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8701 et seq.), ineligi-
bility under this subsection shall not apply.
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‘‘(D) In the case of an agricultural com-
modity for which an individual policy or plan 
of insurance is available for the first time to the 
person after the date of enactment of the Agri-
culture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013— 
‘‘(i) ineligibility shall apply only to 
conversions that take place after the date on 
which the policy or plan of insurance first 
becomes available to the person; and 
‘‘(ii) the person shall take such steps as 
the Secretary determines appropriate to 
mitigate any prior conversion in a timely 
manner but not to exceed 2 calendar years. 
‘‘(4) CERTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In enforcing eligibility 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall use ex-
isting processes and procedures for certifying 
compliance. 
‘‘(B) RESPONSIBILITY.—The Secretary, act-
ing through the agencies of the Department of 
Agriculture, shall be solely responsible for deter-
mining whether a producer is eligible to receive 
crop insurance premium subsidies in accordance 
with this subsection.
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‘‘(C) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that no agent, approved insurance provider, 
or employee or contractor of an agency or ap-
proved insurance provider, bears responsibility 
or liability for the eligibility of an insured pro-
ducer under this subsection, other than in cases 
of misrepresentation, fraud, or scheme and de-
vise.’’. 
SEC. 2610. ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATION FOR 
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1001D(b)(2)(A) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a(b)(2)(A)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘LIMITS.—’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘clause (ii),’’ and inserting ‘‘LIMITS.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of law,’’; and 
(2) by striking clause (ii). 
Subtitle H—Repeal of Superseded 
Program Authorities and Tran-
sitional Provisions 
SEC. 2701. COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION ENHANCE-
MENT PROGRAM. 
Section 1230 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3830) is repealed.
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† HR 2642 EAS 
SEC. 2702. EMERGENCY FORESTRY CONSERVATION RE-
SERVE PROGRAM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1231A of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831a) is repealed. 
(b) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) EFFECT
ON
EXISTING
CONTRACTS.—The 
amendment made by this section shall not affect the 
validity or terms of any contract entered into by the 
Secretary of Agriculture under section 1231A of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831a) before 
October 1, 2013, or any payments required to be 
made in connection with the contract. 
(2) FUNDING.—The Secretary may use funds 
made available to carry out the conservation reserve 
program 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.) to continue to carry out contracts 
referred to in paragraph (1) using the provisions of 
law and regulation applicable to such contracts as in 
existence on September 30, 2013. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2703. WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM. 
(a) REPEAL.—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.) is repealed.
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† HR 2642 EAS 
(b) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) EFFECT ON EXISTING CONTRACTS AND EASE-
MENTS.—The amendment made by this section shall 
not affect the validity or terms of any contract or 
easement entered into 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.) before October 1, 2013, or any payments re-
quired to be made in connection with the contract or 
easement. 
(2) FUNDING.— 
(A) USE OF PRIOR YEAR FUNDS.—Notwith-
standing the repeal of 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.), any funds made 
available from the Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion to carry out the wetlands reserve program 
under that subchapter for fiscal years 2009 
through 2013 shall be made available to carry 
out contracts or easements referred to in para-
graph (1) that were entered into prior to October 
1, 2013 (including the provision of technical as-
sistance), provided that no such contract or ease-
ment is modified so as to increase the amount of 
the payment received.
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payments required to be made in connection with the 
agreement or easement. 
(2) FUNDING.— 
(A) USE OF PRIOR YEAR FUNDS.—Notwith-
standing the repeal of subchapter C of chapter 2 
of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838h et seq.), any funds 
made available from the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration to carry out the farmland protection 
program under that subchapter for fiscal years 
2009 through 2013 shall be made available to 
carry out agreements and easements referred to 
in paragraph (1) that were entered into prior to 
October 1, 2013 (including the provision of tech-
nical assistance). 
(B) OTHER.—On exhaustion of funds made 
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
may use funds made available to carry out the 
agricultural 
conservation 
easement 
program 
under subtitle H of title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985, as added by section 2301, to con-
tinue to carry out agreements and easements re-
ferred to in paragraph (1) using the provisions 
of law and regulation applicable to such agree-
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† HR 2642 EAS 
poration to carry out the grassland reserve pro-
gram under that subchapter for fiscal years 2009 
through 2013 shall be made available to carry 
out contracts, agreements, or easements referred 
to in paragraph (1) that were entered into prior 
to October 1, 2013 (including the provision of 
technical assistance), provided that no such con-
tract, agreement, or easement is modified so as 
to increase the amount of the payment received. 
(B) OTHER.—The Secretary may use funds 
made available to carry out the agricultural con-
servation easement program under subtitle H of 
title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as 
added by section 2301, to continue to carry out 
contracts, agreements, and easements referred to 
in paragraph (1) using the provisions of law 
and regulation applicable to such contracts, 
agreements, and easements as in existence on 
September 30, 2013. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2706. AGRICULTURAL WATER ENHANCEMENT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1240I of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–9) is repealed.
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† HR 2642 EAS 
(b) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) EFFECT
ON
EXISTING
CONTRACTS
AND 
AGREEMENTS.—The amendment made by this section 
shall not affect the validity or terms of any contract 
or agreement entered into by the Secretary of Agri-
culture under section 1240I of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–9) before October 1, 2013, 
or any payments required to be made in connection 
with the contract or agreement. 
(2) FUNDING.— 
(A) USE OF PRIOR YEAR FUNDS.—Notwith-
standing the repeal of section 1240I of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–9), any 
funds made available from the Commodity Cred-
it Corporation to carry out the agricultural 
water enhancement program under that section 
for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 shall be made 
available to carry out contracts and agreements 
referred to in paragraph (1) that were entered 
into prior to October 1, 2013 (including the pro-
vision of technical assistance). 
(B) OTHER.—On exhaustion of funds made 
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
may use funds made available to carry out the 
regional 
conservation 
partnerships 
program
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† HR 2642 EAS 
under subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985, as added by section 2401, to con-
tinue to carry out contracts and agreements re-
ferred to in paragraph (1) using the provisions 
of law and regulation applicable to such con-
tracts and agreements as in existence on Sep-
tember 30, 2013. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2707. WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1240N of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–1) is repealed. 
(b) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) EFFECT
ON
EXISTING
CONTRACTS.—The 
amendment made by this section shall not affect the 
validity or terms of any contract entered into by the 
Secretary of Agriculture under section 1240N of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–1) be-
fore October 1, 2013, or any payments required to be 
made in connection with the contract. 
(2) FUNDING.— 
(A) USE OF PRIOR YEAR FUNDS.—Notwith-
standing the repeal of section 1240N of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–1), any 
funds made available from the Commodity Cred-
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† HR 2642 EAS 
it Corporation to carry out the wildlife habitat 
incentive program under that section for fiscal 
years 2009 through 2013 shall be made available 
to carry out contracts referred to in paragraph 
(1) which were entered into prior to October 1, 
2013 (including the provision of technical assist-
ance). 
(B) OTHER.—On exhaustion of funds made 
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
may use funds made available to carry out the 
environmental quality incentives program under 
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) 
to continue to carry out contracts referred to in 
paragraph (1) using the provisions of law and 
regulation applicable to such contracts as in ex-
istence on September 30, 2013. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2708. GREAT LAKES BASIN PROGRAM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1240P of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–3) is repealed. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013.
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† HR 2642 EAS 
SEC. 2709. CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED PROGRAM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1240Q of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–4) is repealed. 
(b) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) EFFECT ON EXISTING CONTRACTS, AGREE-
MENTS, AND EASEMENTS.—The amendment made by 
this section shall not affect the validity or terms of 
any contract, agreement, or easement entered into by 
the Secretary of Agriculture under section 1240Q of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–4) 
before October 1, 2013, or any payments required to 
be made in connection with the contract, agreement, 
or easement. 
(2) FUNDING.— 
(A) USE OF PRIOR YEAR FUNDS.—Notwith-
standing the repeal of section 1240Q of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–4), any 
funds made available from the Commodity Cred-
it Corporation to carry out the Chesapeake Bay 
watershed program under that section for fiscal 
years 2009 through 2013 shall be made available 
to carry out contracts, agreements, and ease-
ments referred to in paragraph (1) that were en-
tered into prior to October 1, 2013 (including the 
provision of technical assistance).
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† HR 2642 EAS 
(B) OTHER.—The Secretary may use funds 
made available to carry out the regional con-
servation partnerships program under subtitle I 
of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as 
added by section 2401, to continue to carry out 
contracts, agreements, and easements referred to 
in paragraph (1) using the provisions of law 
and regulation applicable to such contracts, 
agreements, and easements as in existence on 
September 30, 2013. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this 
section shall take effect on October 1, 2013. 
SEC. 2710. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP 
INITIATIVE. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1243 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) is repealed. 
(b) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) EFFECT
ON
EXISTING
CONTRACTS
AND 
AGREEMENTS.—The amendment made by this section 
shall not affect the validity or terms of any contract 
or agreement entered into by the Secretary of Agri-
culture under section 1243 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) before October 1, 2013, or 
any payments required to be made in connection with 
the contract or agreement.