I
104TH CONGRESS
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 Representa-
tives 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 Assist-
ance Program and Livestock Water Quality Conservation Pro-
gram.
Sec. 103. Effect of reestablishment of Soil Conservation Service.
TITLE II—CONSOLIDATION OF CONSERVATION FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AG-
RICULTURE
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 re-
sources.
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 Pro-
gram.
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 sedi-
mentation 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 con-
servation 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 conserva-
tion 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 wet-
land reserve program.
Sec. 502. Elimination of consultation requirements with Secretary of the Inte-
rior.
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 CON-
SERVATION SERVICE.—Section 246 of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962)
striking ‘‘Natural Resources Conservation Service’’ and
inserting ‘‘Soil Conservation Service’’.
(c) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Subsection (e) of such sec-
tion is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(e) SAVINGS PROVISION.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, a reference to the ‘Consolidated Farm Service Agen-
cy’ includes any other office, agency, or administrative
unit of the Department assigned all or most of the func-
tions authorized for the Consolidated Farm Service Agen-
cy under section 226.’’.
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO REFLECT POSI-
TION 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 per-
formed 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 as-
signed by the Secretary to the Natural Re-
sources 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 Con-
solidated 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 or-
ganizations 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 Con-
servation Service’’ each place it appears and in-
serting ‘‘Soil Conservation Service’’;
(4) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘Natural Re-
sources 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 sub-
sections (c) through (f) of this section, a reference to the
‘Consolidated Farm Service Agency’ includes any other of-
fice, agency, or administrative unit of the Department as-
signed the functions authorized for the Consolidated Farm
Service Agency under this section.’’.
(e) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT
REGARDING
NA-
TIONAL 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 AD-
MINISTRATION 
OF 
AGRICULTURAL 
CON-
SERVATION 
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 amend-
ed 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 estab-
lished under section 202 of the Conservation Con-
solidation 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 PRO-
VIDE 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 para-
graph (3); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the follow-
ing 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 Pro-
gram established under section 302 of such Act.’’.
SEC. 103. EFFECT OF REESTABLISHMENT OF SOIL CON-
SERVATION SERVICE.
(a) INTERAGENCY TRANSFER OF RECORDS, PROP-
ERTY, PERSONNEL, AND FUNDS.—As part of the reestab-
lishment of the Soil Conservation Service under section
101 to replace the Natural Resources Conservation Serv-
ice, 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 func-
tion of the Natural Resources Conservation Service)
of appropriations, allocations, or other funds of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(b) APPLICABLE LAW RELATING TO FUNDS TRANS-
FER.—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 AGRI-
CULTURE
Subtitle A—Agricultural
Conservation Assistance Program
SEC. 201. PURPOSE OF TITLE AND DEFINITIONS.
(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this title to con-
solidate 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 ag-
ricultural lands for conservation and improvement of
soil, water, and related natural resources.
(2) AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITY.—The term
‘‘agricultural commodity’’ means any annual or pe-
rennial crop (including forage or hay), aquaculture
product, nursery product, silviculture product, and
water-dependent crop (such as cranberries, taro, wa-
tercress, or rice).
(3) AGRICULTURAL LANDS.—The term ‘‘agri-
cultural lands’’ includes cropland, nonindustrial for-
est 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 ‘‘struc-
tural practice’’ means the establishment of a terrace,
grassed waterway, contour grass strip, filterstrip,
shelterbelt, permanent wildlife habitat, or other ac-
tivity that the Secretary determines improves or pro-
tects soil, water, and related natural resources.
SEC. 202. PROVISION OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL AS-
SISTANCE 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
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 assist-
ance 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 Assist-
ance Program shall be subject to the approval of the coun-
ty 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 essen-
tial to accomplish one of the purposes specified in sub-
section (a).
(e) OWNER
AND OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES.—
Under the terms of a contract under the Agricultural Con-
servation Assistance Program, the owner or operator en-
tering 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 incor-
porates 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 assist-
ance 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 Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812) or any other conserva-
tion 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 con-
servation 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 prac-
tices 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 sub-
sections (b) and (c), the amount of financial assistance
that may be provided under a contract under the Agricul-
tural Conservation Assistance Program shall be such por-
tion 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 en-
vironmental 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 fi-
nancial assistance under the Agricultural Conserva-
tion 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 prac-
tice covered by the contract, as determined by the Sec-
retary. However, the Secretary may exceed the percentage
limitation on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary deter-
mines that a larger Federal share is essential to accom-
plish one of the purposes specified in section 202(a), ex-
cept that in no case may the Federal share exceed 75 per-
cent.
(c) PER PERSON LIMITATION ON FINANCIAL ASSIST-
ANCE.—The total annual amount of payments to a person
under one or more contracts under the Agricultural Con-
servation 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 pay-
ment 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 con-
tract.
(b) REPAYMENT.—On the violation of a term or con-
dition 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 pay-
ment 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 trans-
feree of the right and interest agrees to assume all obliga-
tions 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 IMPLEMEN-
TATION 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 pro-
vided through final regulations issued to implement
the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program,
the Secretary shall continue to provide technical as-
sistance 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 au-
thorities are consistent with the Agricultural Con-
servation Assistance Program.
(2) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—The author-
ity 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 Con-
servation Assistance Program.
Subtitle B—Conforming
Amendments
SEC. 221. REPEAL OF GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION PRO-
GRAM.
(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 con-
tract entered into under the Agricultural Con-
servation Assistance Program established under
section 202 of the Conservation Consolidation
and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 or the
Water Quality Conservation Program estab-
lished 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 con-
tract entered into under the Agricultural Con-
servation Assistance Program established under
section 202 of the Conservation Consolidation
and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 or the
Water Quality Conservation Program estab-
lished 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 CON-
SERVATION 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 PRO-
GRAM.
(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)), re-
enacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing
Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by striking ‘‘or the
Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amend-
ed,’’.
(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 Do-
mestic 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 Con-
servation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended’’
and inserting ‘‘committees established under section
8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allot-
ment 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 Re-
form 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 Do-
mestic Allotment Act, relating to the utilization of State,
county, area, and local committees, the extension service,
and other approved agencies, and to recognition and en-
couragement 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 adminis-
tration 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 addi-
tion to any amount made available pursuant to
section 15 of the Soil Conservation and Domes-
tic 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 sub-
section (c); and
(H) in section 392 (7 U.S.C. 1392), by striking
‘‘and sections 7 to 17, inclusive, of the Soil Con-
servation 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 sub-
section (c).
SEC. 225. REPEAL OF RURAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVA-
TION 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 fur-
ther amended—
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 PRO-
GRAM 
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 PUR-
CHASE 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 
ASSIST-
ANCE ACT OF 1978.
(a) REPEALS.—Sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Cooper-
ative 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 sub-
paragraph (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 re-
pealed.
SEC. 234. EFFECT OF REPEALS.
The amendments made by this subtitle shall not af-
fect 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 CON-
SERVATION 
PROGRAM 
FOR
LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS
SEC. 301. PURPOSE OF TITLE AND DEFINITIONS.
(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this title to estab-
lish a program under section 302 that, in a manner maxi-
mizing environmental benefits per dollar expended, pro-
vides 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 estab-
lished under section 302 to provide technical and fi-
nancial 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 ‘‘live-
stock operation’’ means a farm, ranch, or other fa-
cility used for the purpose of livestock production.
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of Agriculture.
(5) STRUCTURAL PRACTICE.—The term ‘‘struc-
tural practice’’ means the establishment of an ani-
mal waste management facility, terrace, grassed wa-
terway, 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 AS-
SISTANCE FOR WATER QUALITY CONSERVA-
TION 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 Pro-
gram’’, 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 in-
tended to protect or improve water quality and enhance
environmental protection.
(b) CONTRACTS.—Subject to subsection (e), the Sec-
retary 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 live-
stock operation. The Secretary may not enter into a con-
tract with an operator who is not also owner of the live-
stock 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 en-
tered into under subsection (b), the Secretary may provide
the owner or operator of a livestock operation who imple-
ments 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 struc-
tural practices. The contract shall have a term of not less
than five, nor more than 10, years, as determined appro-
priate by the Secretary, depending on the structural prac-
tice or practices that are the basis of the contract.
(e) CONTRACTING PROCESS.—
(1) APPROVAL OF COUNTY OR AREA COMMIT-
TEE.—Each contract under subsection (b) shall be
subject to the approval of the county or area com-
mittee 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 lo-
cated.
(2) COMPETITIVE
OFFER
FOR
STRUCTURAL
PRACTICES.—The Secretary shall administer a com-
petitive 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 de-
termined 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 en-
tering into the contract shall agree to actively comply with
the terms and conditions of the water quality plan, as ap-
proved 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 Live-
stock Water Quality Conservation Program to implement
one or more structural practices shall not exceed 50 per-
cent of the total cost of the practice or practices, as deter-
mined 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 accord-
ing to the type of expertise required, quantity of
time involved, and other factors as determined ap-
propriate 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 tech-
nical assistance under this title shall not affect the
eligibility of an owner or operator of a livestock op-
eration 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 consid-
ered appropriate to assist in providing the technical
assistance necessary for the development and imple-
mentation 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 re-
sulting 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 OF-
FERS.
(a) REGIONAL PRIORITIES.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture shall provide assistance under the Livestock Water
Quality Conservation Program to owners and operators of
livestock operations in a region, watershed, or conserva-
tion 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 deter-
mined by the Secretary.
(b) MAXIMIZATION
OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
BENE-
FITS.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In providing assistance
under the Livestock Water Quality Conservation
Program, the Secretary shall accord a higher prior-
ity to assistance and payments that maximize envi-
ronmental benefits per dollar expended.
(2) NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PRIORITY.—The
prioritization under paragraph (1) shall be done na-
tionally as well as within the conservation priority
area, region, or watershed in which a livestock oper-
ation is located.
(3) CRITERIA.—To carry out this subsection,
the Secretary shall establish criteria for implement-
ing structural practices that best achieve water qual-
ity conservation goals for a region, watershed, or
conservation priority area, as determined by the Sec-
retary.
(c) STATE OR LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Sec-
retary 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 gov-
ernments have provided, or will provide, financial or tech-
nical assistance for the same conservation or environ-
mental 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 eligi-
ble 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 Sec-
retary of Agriculture for approval a plan of livestock oper-
ations that incorporates such water quality conservation
practices and principles as may be determined by the Sec-
retary to be practicable to achieve the purposes for which
the assistance is provided and outlines a schedule of pro-
posed 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 CON-
TRACTS.
(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 modi-
fication or termination; and
(2) the Secretary determines that the modifica-
tion or termination is in the public interest.
(c) REPAYMENT.—On the violation of a term or con-
dition of the contract under the Livestock Water Quality
Conservation Program at any time by the owner or opera-
tor 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 COR-
PORATION.
(a) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Notwithstanding any
other law, the Secretary of Agriculture shall allocate
$380,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration for the seven-fiscal year period beginning on Oc-
tober 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 obliga-
tions to make payments under the Livestock Water Qual-
ity 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 ex-
ceed that amount.
SEC. 308. REGULATIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment 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 SYS-
TEM.—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 follow-
ing new paragraphs:
‘‘(2) CONSERVATION
PLAN.—The term ‘con-
servation 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 re-
spect to location, land use, tillage systems, and
conservation treatment measures and schedule;
and
‘‘(C) is approved by the local soil conserva-
tion district, in consultation with the local com-
mittees 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 ‘con-
servation system’ means a combination of one or
more conservation measures or management prac-
tices that—
‘‘(A) are based upon local resource condi-
tions, 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 ef-
fective and technically practicable manner, a
substantial reduction in soil erosion or a sub-
stantial improvement in soil conditions on a
field or group of fields containing highly erod-
ible cropland when compared to the level of ero-
sion or soil conditions that existed before the
application of the conservation measures and
management practices.’’.
(b) FIELD.—Paragraph (7) of such section, as redes-
ignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(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 fea-
tures. 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 erod-
ible land on which an agricultural commodity is pro-
duced after December 23, 1985, and that is not ex-
empt under section 1212 shall be considered as part
of the field in which such land was included on De-
cember 23, 1985, unless the Secretary permits modi-
fication 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 subpara-
graph:
‘‘(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 man-
ner 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 docu-
ments the decisions of the person with respect to lo-
cation, 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 es-
tablished 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 Do-
mestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)) and the
Secretary’’;
(3) in subsection (e)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘con-
servation compliance plan’’ and inserting ‘‘conserva-
tion plan’’;
(4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ‘‘that docu-
ments 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 docu-
ments 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 CON-
SERVATION PLANS AND CONSERVATION SYS-
TEMS.
(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 CON-
SERVATION PLANS AND CONSERVATION SYS-
TEMS.
‘‘(a) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS.—In connection
with the standards and guidelines contained in Soil Con-
servation 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 guide-
lines 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 erod-
ible 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 incor-
porated 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
MEASURE-
MENTS.—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 deter-
mining the eligibility of a person for program bene-
fits specified in section 1211, the person may certify
that the person is complying with the person’s con-
servation 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 con-
servation plan under which such conservation system
is being applied.
‘‘(3) REVISIONS
AND
MODIFICATIONS.—The
Secretary shall permit a person who makes a certifi-
cation under paragraph (1) with respect to a con-
servation 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 de-
velopment, revision, and application of a person’s con-
servation plan and conservation system. At the request of
the person, the Secretary may provide technical assistance
regarding conservation measures and management prac-
tices 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 ap-
proved but that the Secretary considers have a reasonable
likelihood of success.’’.
(b) 
TREATMENT
OF
TECHNICAL
DETERMINA-
TIONS.—Section 226(d)(1) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932(d)(1))
is amended by adding at the end the following new sen-
tence: ‘‘In the case of a technical determination of the Soil
Conservation Service regarding use of a conservation sys-
tem 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 deter-
mination 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 Con-
servation 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 De-
partment of Agriculture. If the Secretary rejects a tech-
nical determination made by a source other than the Soil
Conservation Service, the basis of Secretary’s determina-
tion 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 pro-
cedures for the consideration and granting of tem-
porary variances under paragraph (4)(C). If the re-
quest for a temporary variance under such para-
graph 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 Sec-
retary fails to render a decision within that time pe-
riod, 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 amend-
ed—
(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 sub-
paragraph (B) and inserting the following: ‘‘such
person has acted in good faith and without the in-
tent to violate the provisions of this subtitle. A per-
son who meets the requirements of this paragraph
shall be allowed a period of one year in which to im-
plement the measures and practices necessary to be
considered to be actively applying the person’s con-
servation 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 De-
cember 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 PEN-
ALTY.
(a) EXTENT OF INELIGIBILITY.—Section 1211 of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812(f)) is amend-
ed—
(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 sub-
section:
‘‘(b) EXTENT
OF
PROGRAM
INELIGIBILITY
FOR
PRICE SUPPORT.—If a person is determined to be ineli-
gible 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 speci-
fied in subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be limited to those bene-
fits that relate to agricultural commodities produced on
the field that is the basis for such ineligibility determina-
tion. 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 re-
spect to agricultural commodities produced on fields other
than the field that is the basis for the ineligibility deter-
mination, 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 sub-
section:
‘‘(c) INAPPLICABILITY TO NONPAID ACRES.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of this subtitle, no per-
son shall be ineligible for program benefits under sub-
section (a) as a result of the failure of the person to ac-
tively 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 INSUR-
ANCE.—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 in-
serting ‘‘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 lo-
cated within the same area. If the person’s conservation
plan requires structures to be constructed, the person
shall’’.
SEC. 407. INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE COMPLIANCE DEFI-
CIENCIES.
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 DE-
FICIENCIES.
‘‘(a) SPECIAL RULE DURING PROVISION OF ON-SITE
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Employees of the Department
of Agriculture who observe possible compliance defi-
ciencies or other potential violations of a conservation plan
or provision of this subtitle while providing on-site tech-
nical assistance shall provide to the responsible persons,
within 45 days, information regarding those actions need-
ed in order to come into compliance. The employees shall
provide this information in lieu of reporting the observa-
tions 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 inter-
ested 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 pro-
vision of this subtitle. The identity of any person filing
a written notification under this subsection shall be con-
sidered 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 spe-
cifically 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 INVES-
TIGATION.—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 al-
leged violation of a conservation plan or provision of
this subtitle specified in the notification. In the
course of the investigation, if the Secretary deter-
mines that violations are indicated other than the al-
leged violations specified in the notification, the Sec-
retary may expand the investigation to include such
additional violations.
‘‘(2) ISSUANCE OF COMPLAINT BY SECRETARY;
PROCESS.—In the opinion of the Secretary, if an in-
vestigation under this subsection substantiates the
existence of violations of a conservation plan or pro-
vision 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 initi-
ates an investigation on the basis of a written notification
made under subsection (b) or expands such an investiga-
tion, 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 inves-
tigated. 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 com-
plaint 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 Conserva-
tion 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 prac-
tical solutions to resource management goals and the es-
tablishment of conservation systems, measures, and prac-
tices 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 CON-
SERVATION 
ACREAGE 
RE-
SERVE PROGRAM
SEC. 501. REMOVAL OF AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE EASE-
MENTS TO ENROLL LANDS IN WETLAND RE-
SERVE 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 inspec-
tions on such land that are necessary to main-
tain 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 ac-
cess on such land while identifying access
routes to be used for wetland restoration activi-
ties, 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 spe-
cifically 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 func-
tionally related to, the land that is placed in the
wetland reserve if such activities will alter, de-
grade, 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 con-
tract 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 spe-
cifically 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 sub-
chapter 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 con-
tract, 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.—Sub-
section (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 pro-
vided under such subsection.’’.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS REGARDING REF-
ERENCES 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 ac-
quire 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 ease-
ment’’ and inserting ‘‘a contract’’;
(3) in section 1237 (16 U.S.C. 3837)—
(A) in subsection (d), by striking para-
graphs (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 func-
tional 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 ‘‘pur-
chase of easements as provided for in ’’ and in-
serting ‘‘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 Sec-
retary under section 1237A’’; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking
‘‘easement’’ and inserting ‘‘contract’’;
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘ease-
ment’’ 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 ‘‘ease-
ment’’;
(B) in subsection (c)(1)—
(i) by striking ‘‘easement payments’’
and inserting ‘‘contract payments’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘, except such limita-
tion shall not apply with respect to pay-
ments for perpetual easements’’; and
(C) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ‘‘Ease-
ment payments’’ and inserting ‘‘Contract pay-
ments’’;
(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 re-
garding’’;
(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 con-
tract 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 sub-
section heading; and
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘ and the
Environmental Easement Program under chap-
ter 3, and not more than 10 percent of such
cropland may be subject to an easement ac-
quired under those chapters’’; and
(ii) by striking paragraph (2).
(2) Subsection (c) of section 1437 of the Food, Agri-
culture, 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 PLAN-
NING 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 other-
wise 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 con-
strued 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 other-
wise 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 AUTHORI-
TIES.—
(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 other-
wise 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 con-
strued 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 other-
wise 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.—Not-
withstanding 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 oper-
ation, use, repair, or replacement of an existing water sup-
ply 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 Se-
curity 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 EXTEN-
SION 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 PRO-
GRAMS.
(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 fur-
ther 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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