H. R. 2419—149 
‘‘(B) to the maximum extent practicable, other rec-
reational purposes; and 
‘‘(2) the methods that will be used to achieve those benefits. 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—In approving applications and awarding grants 
under the program, the Secretary shall give priority to States 
and tribal governments that propose— 
‘‘(1) to maximize participation by offering a program the 
terms of which are likely to meet with widespread acceptance 
among landowners; 
‘‘(2) to ensure that land enrolled under the State or tribal 
government program has appropriate wildlife habitat; 
‘‘(3) to strengthen wildlife habitat improvement efforts on 
land enrolled in a special conservation reserve enhancement 
program described in section 1234(f)(4) by providing incentives 
to increase public hunting and other recreational access on 
that land; 
‘‘(4) to use additional Federal, State, tribal government, 
or private resources in carrying out the program; and 
‘‘(5) to make available to the public the location of land 
enrolled. 
‘‘(d) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.— 
‘‘(1) NO PREEMPTION.—Nothing in this section preempts 
a State or tribal government law, including any State or tribal 
government liability law. 
‘‘(2) EFFECT OF INCONSISTENT OPENING DATES FOR MIGRA-
TORY BIRD HUNTING.—The Secretary shall reduce by 25 percent 
the amount of a grant otherwise determined for a State under 
the program if the opening dates for migratory bird hunting 
in the State are not consistent for residents and non-residents. 
‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall promulgate such regu-
lations as are necessary to carry out this section. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion, the Secretary shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, 
$50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.’’. 
Subtitle H—Funding and Administration of 
Conservation Programs 
SEC. 2701. FUNDING OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS UNDER FOOD 
SECURITY ACT OF 1985. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.—Paragraph (1) of sec-
tion 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) 
is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the 
following: ‘‘, including to the maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) $100,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 
through 2012 to provide cost share payments under para-
graph (3) of section 1234(b) in connection with thinning 
activities conducted on land described in subparagraph 
(A)(iii) of such paragraph; and 
‘‘(B) $25,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 
through 2012 to carry out section 1235(f) to facilitate the 
transfer of land subject to contracts from retired or retiring
H. R. 2419—150 
owners and operators to beginning farmers or ranchers 
and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.’’. 
(c) CONSERVATION SECURITY AND CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP 
PROGRAMS.—Paragraph (3) of section 1241(a) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3)(A) CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM.—The conserva-
tion security program under subchapter A of chapter 2, using 
such sums as are necessary to administer contracts entered 
into before September 30, 2008. 
‘‘(B) CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.—The conserva-
tion stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter 2.’’. 
(d) FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.—Paragraph (4) of section 
1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) The farmland protection program under subchapter 
C of chapter 2, using, to the maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) $97,000,000 in fiscal year 2008; 
‘‘(B) $121,000,000 in fiscal year 2009; 
‘‘(C) $150,000,000 in fiscal year 2010; 
‘‘(D) $175,000,000 in fiscal year 2011; and 
‘‘(E) $200,000,000 in fiscal year 2012.’’. 
(e) GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM.—Paragraph (5) of section 
1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) The grassland reserve program under subchapter D 
of chapter 2.’’. 
(f) ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
INCENTIVES
PROGRAM.—Para-
graph (6) of section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(6) The environmental quality incentives program under 
chapter 4, using, to the maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) $1,200,000,000 in fiscal year 2008; 
‘‘(B) $1,337,000,000 in fiscal year 2009; 
‘‘(C) $1,450,000,000 in fiscal year 2010; 
‘‘(D) $1,588,000,000 in fiscal year 2011; and 
‘‘(E) $1,750,000,000 in fiscal year 2012.’’. 
(g) WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM.—Paragraph (7)(D) 
of section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3841(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 2702. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT CON-
SERVATION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS.— 
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may establish a sub- 
account for each conservation program administered by the 
Secretary under subtitle D to accept contributions of non-Fed-
eral funds to support the purposes of the program. 
‘‘(2) DEPOSIT AND USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS.—Contributions 
of non-Federal funds received for a conservation program 
administered by the Secretary under subtitle D shall be depos-
ited into the sub-account established under this subsection 
for the program and shall be available to the Secretary, without 
further appropriation and until expended, to carry out the 
program.’’.
H. R. 2419—151 
SEC. 2703. REGIONAL EQUITY AND FLEXIBILITY. 
(a) REGIONAL EQUITY AND FLEXIBILITY.—Section 1241(d) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Before April 1’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) PRIORITY FUNDING TO PROMOTE EQUITY.—Before April 
1’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘$12,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$15,000,000’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) SPECIFIC FUNDING ALLOCATIONS.—In determining the 
specific funding allocations for States under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall consider the respective demand in each 
State for each program covered by such paragraph.’’. 
(b) ALLOCATIONS REVIEW AND UPDATE.—Section 1241 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended by inserting 
after subsection (e), as added by section 2702, the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(f) ALLOCATIONS REVIEW AND UPDATE.— 
‘‘(1) REVIEW.—Not later than January 1, 2012, the Sec-
retary shall conduct a review of conservation programs and 
authorities under this title that utilize allocation formulas to 
determine the sufficiency of the formulas in accounting for 
State-level economic factors, level of agricultural infrastructure, 
or related factors that affect conservation program costs. 
‘‘(2) UPDATE.—The Secretary shall improve conservation 
program allocation formulas as necessary to ensure that the 
formulas adequately reflect the costs of carrying out the con-
servation programs.’’. 
SEC. 2704. ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO 
IMPROVE THEIR ACCESS TO CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) 
is amended by inserting after subsection (f), as added by section 
2703(b), the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS OR RANCHERS FOR CON-
SERVATION ACCESS.— 
‘‘(1) ASSISTANCE.—Of the funds made available for each 
of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to carry out the environmental 
quality incentives program and the acres made available for 
each of such fiscal years to carry out the conservation steward-
ship program, the Secretary shall use, to the maximum extent 
practicable— 
‘‘(A) 5 percent to assist beginning farmers or ranchers; 
and 
‘‘(B) 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged farmers 
or ranchers. 
‘‘(2) REPOOLING OF FUNDS.—In any fiscal year, amounts 
not obligated under paragraph (1) by a date determined by 
the Secretary shall be available for payments and technical 
assistance to all persons eligible for payments or technical 
assistance in that fiscal year under the environmental quality 
incentives program. 
‘‘(3) REPOOLING OF ACRES.—In any fiscal year, acres not 
obligated under paragraph (1) by a date determined by the 
Secretary shall be available for use in that fiscal year under 
the conservation stewardship program.’’.
H. R. 2419—152 
SEC. 2705. REPORT REGARDING ENROLLMENTS AND ASSISTANCE 
UNDER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) 
is amended by inserting after subsection (g), as added by section 
2704, the following new subsection: 
‘‘(h) REPORT ON PROGRAM ENROLLMENTS AND ASSISTANCE.— 
Beginning in calendar year 2009, and each year thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a semiannual report containing 
statistics by State related to enrollments in conservation programs 
under this subtitle, as follows: 
‘‘(1) Payments made under the wetlands reserve program 
for easements valued at $250,000 or greater. 
‘‘(2) Payments made under the farmland protection pro-
gram for easements in which the Federal share is $250,000 
or greater. 
‘‘(3) Payments made under the grassland reserve program 
valued at $250,000 or greater. 
‘‘(4) Payments made under the environmental quality incen-
tives program for land determined to have special environ-
mental significance pursuant to section 1240G(b). 
‘‘(5) Payments made under the agricultural water enhance-
ment program subject to the waiver of adjusted gross income 
limitations pursuant to section 1240I(g). 
‘‘(6) Waivers granted by the Secretary under section 
1001D(b)(2) of this Act in order to protect environmentally 
sensitive land of special significance.’’. 
SEC. 2706. DELIVERY OF CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 1242. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT.—In this section, the 
term ‘eligible participant’ means a producer, landowner, or entity 
that is participating in, or seeking to participate in, programs 
for which the producer, landowner, or entity is otherwise eligible 
to participate in under this title or the agricultural management 
assistance program under section 524 of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1524). 
‘‘(b) PURPOSE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The purpose of tech-
nical assistance authorized by this section is to provide eligible 
participants with consistent, science-based, site-specific practices 
designed to achieve conservation objectives on land active in agricul-
tural, forestry, or related uses. 
‘‘(c) PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall 
provide technical assistance under this title to an eligible partici-
pant— 
‘‘(1) directly; 
‘‘(2) through an agreement with a third-party provider; 
or 
‘‘(3) at the option of the eligible participant, through a 
payment, as determined by the Secretary, to the eligible partici-
pant for an approved third-party provider, if available. 
‘‘(d) NON-FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may request 
the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts
H. R. 2419—153 
with, other agencies within the Department or non-Federal entities 
to assist the Secretary in providing technical assistance necessary 
to assist in implementing conservation programs under this title. 
‘‘(e) CERTIFICATION OF THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS.— 
‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the third-party provider 
program is to increase the availability and range of technical 
expertise available to eligible participants to plan and imple-
ment conservation measures. 
‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008, the Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as 
are necessary to carry out this section. 
‘‘(3) EXPERTISE.—In promulgating such regulations, the 
Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall— 
‘‘(A) ensure that persons with expertise in the technical 
aspects of conservation planning, watershed planning, and 
environmental engineering, including commercial entities, 
nonprofit entities, State or local governments or agencies, 
and other Federal agencies, are eligible to become approved 
providers of the technical assistance; 
‘‘(B) provide national criteria for the certification of 
third party providers; and 
‘‘(C) approve any unique certification standards estab-
lished at the State level. 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) FUNDING.—Effective for fiscal year 2008 and each sub-
sequent fiscal year, funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
made available to carry out technical assistance for each of 
the programs specified in section 1241 shall be available for 
the provision of technical assistance from third-party providers 
under this section. 
‘‘(2) TERM OF AGREEMENT.—An agreement with a third- 
party provider under this section shall have a term that— 
‘‘(A) at a minimum, is equal to the period beginning 
on the date on which the agreement is entered into and 
ending on the date that is 1 year after the date on which 
all activities performed pursuant to the agreement have 
been completed; 
‘‘(B) does not exceed 3 years; and 
‘‘(C) can be renewed, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) REVIEW OF CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Food, Conserva-
tion, and Energy Act of 2008, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) review certification requirements for third-party 
providers; and 
‘‘(B) make any adjustments considered necessary by 
the Secretary to improve participation. 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.— 
‘‘(A) INCLUSION
OF
ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary may 
include as activities eligible for payments to a third party 
provider— 
‘‘(i) technical services provided directly to eligible 
participants, such as conservation planning, education 
and outreach, and assistance with design and 
implementation of conservation practices; and 
‘‘(ii) related technical assistance services that accel-
erate conservation program delivery.
H. R. 2419—154 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The Secretary shall not designate 
as an activity eligible for payments to a third party provider 
any service that is provided by a business, or equivalent, 
in connection with conducting business and that is custom-
arily provided at no cost. 
‘‘(5) PAYMENT AMOUNTS.—The Secretary shall establish fair 
and reasonable amounts of payments for technical services 
provided by third-party providers. 
‘‘(g) AVAILABILITY OF TECHNICAL SERVICES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the programs under this 
title and the agricultural management assistance program 
under section 524 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1524), the Secretary shall make technical services available 
to all eligible participants who are installing an eligible practice. 
‘‘(2) TECHNICAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.—In any case in which 
financial assistance is not provided under a program referred 
to in paragraph (1), the Secretary may enter into a technical 
service contract with the eligible participant for the purposes 
of assisting in the planning, design, or installation of an eligible 
practice. 
‘‘(h) REVIEW OF CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARDS.— 
‘‘(1) REVIEW REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) review conservation practice standards, including 
engineering design specifications, in effect on the date of 
the enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008; 
‘‘(B) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
completeness and relevance of the standards to local agri-
cultural, forestry, and natural resource needs, including 
specialty crops, native and managed pollinators, bioenergy 
crop production, forestry, and such other needs as are 
determined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(C) ensure that the standards provide for the optimal 
balance between meeting site-specific conservation needs 
and minimizing risks of design failure and associated costs 
of construction and installation. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall consult with eligible participants, 
crop consultants, cooperative extension and land grant univer-
sities, nongovernmental organizations, and other qualified enti-
ties. 
‘‘(3) EXPEDITED REVISION OF STANDARDS.—If the Secretary 
determines under paragraph (1) that revisions to the conserva-
tion practice standards, including engineering design specifica-
tions, are necessary, the Secretary shall establish an adminis-
trative process for expediting the revisions. 
‘‘(i) ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF SPECIALITY CROP, ORGANIC, AND 
PRECISION AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) to the maximum extent practicable, fully incor-
porate specialty crop production, organic crop production, 
and precision agriculture into the conservation practice 
standards; and 
‘‘(B) provide for the appropriate range of conservation 
practices and resource mitigation measures available to 
producers involved with organic or specialty crop produc-
tion or precision agriculture.
H. R. 2419—155 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure that ade-
quate technical assistance is available for the implementa-
tion of conservation practices by producers involved with 
organic, specialty crop production, or precision agriculture 
through Federal conservation programs. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall develop— 
‘‘(i) programs that meet specific needs of producers 
involved with organic, specialty crop production or 
precision agriculture through cooperative agreements 
with other agencies and nongovernmental organiza-
tions; and 
‘‘(ii) program specifications that allow for innova-
tive approaches to engage local resources in providing 
technical assistance for planning and implementation 
of conservation practices.’’. 
SEC. 2707. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE. 
(a) TRANSFER OF EXISTING PROVISIONS.—Subsections (a), (c), 
and (d) of section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3843) are— 
(1) redesignated as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; 
and 
(2) transferred to appear at the end of section 1244 of 
such Act (16 U.S.C. 3844). 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.—Section 1243 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843), as amended 
by subsection (a), is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 1243. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF INITIATIVE.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a cooperative conservation partnership initiative (in this section 
referred to as the ‘Initiative’) to work with eligible partners to 
provide assistance to producers enrolled in a program described 
in subsection (c)(1) that will enhance conservation outcomes on 
agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of a partnership entered into 
under the Initiative shall be— 
‘‘(1) to address conservation priorities involving agriculture 
and nonindustrial private forest land on a local, State, multi- 
State, or regional level; 
‘‘(2) to encourage producers to cooperate in meeting 
applicable Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements 
related to production involving agriculture and nonindustrial 
private forest land; 
‘‘(3) to encourage producers to cooperate in the installation 
and maintenance of conservation practices that affect multiple 
agricultural or nonindustrial private forest operations; or 
‘‘(4) to promote the development and demonstration of 
innovative conservation practices and delivery methods, 
including those for specialty crop and organic production and 
precision agriculture producers. 
‘‘(c) INITIATIVE PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) COVERED PROGRAMS.—Except as provided in paragraph 
(2), the Initiative applies to all conservation programs under 
subtitle D.
H. R. 2419—156 
‘‘(2) EXCLUDED PROGRAMS.—The Initiative shall not include 
the following programs: 
‘‘(A) Conservation reserve program. 
‘‘(B) Wetlands reserve program. 
‘‘(C) Farmland protection program 
‘‘(D) Grassland reserve program. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE PARTNERS.—The Secretary may enter into a part-
nership under the Initiative with one or more of the following: 
‘‘(1) States and local governments. 
‘‘(2) Indian tribes. 
‘‘(3) Producer associations. 
‘‘(4) Farmer cooperatives. 
‘‘(5) Institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(6) Nongovernmental organizations with a history of 
working cooperatively with producers to effectively address con-
servation priorities related to agricultural production and non-
industrial private forest land. 
‘‘(e) IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary shall carry 
out the Initiative— 
‘‘(1) by selecting, through a competitive process, eligible 
partners from among applications submitted under subsection 
(f); and 
‘‘(2) by entering into multi-year agreements with eligible 
partners so selected for a period not to exceed 5 years. 
‘‘(f) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIRED INFORMATION.—An application to enter into 
a partnership agreement under the Initiative shall include the 
following: 
‘‘(A) A description of the area covered by the agreement, 
conservation priorities in the area, conservation objectives 
to be achieved, and the expected level of participation by 
agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest 
landowners. 
‘‘(B) A description of the partner, or partners, collabo-
rating to achieve the objectives of the agreement, and the 
roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of the partner. 
‘‘(C) A description of the resources that are requested 
from the Secretary, and the non-Federal resources that 
will be leveraged by the Federal contribution. 
‘‘(D) A description of the plan for monitoring, evalu-
ating, and reporting on progress made towards achieving 
the objectives of the agreement. 
‘‘(E) Such other information that may be required by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITIES.—The Secretary shall give priority to 
applications for agreements that— 
‘‘(A) have a high percentage of producers involved and 
working agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land 
included in the area covered by the agreement; 
‘‘(B) significantly leverage non-Federal financial and 
technical resources and coordinate with other local, State, 
or Federal efforts; 
‘‘(C) deliver high percentages of applied conservation 
to address water quality, water conservation, or State, 
regional, or national conservation initiatives;
H. R. 2419—157 
‘‘(D) provide innovation in conservation methods and 
delivery, including outcome-based performance measures 
and methods; or 
‘‘(E) meet other factors, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(g) RELATIONSHIP TO COVERED PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAM RULES.—Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall ensure that 
resources made available under the Initiative are delivered 
in accordance with the applicable rules of programs specified 
in subsection (c)(1) through normal program mechanisms 
relating to program functions, including rules governing 
appeals, payment limitations, and conservation compliance. 
‘‘(2) ADJUSTMENT.—The Secretary may adjust the elements 
of any program specified in subsection (c)(1)— 
‘‘(A) to better reflect unique local circumstances and 
purposes if the Secretary determines such adjustments are 
necessary to achieve the purposes of the Initiative; and 
‘‘(B) to provide preferential enrollment to producers 
who are eligible for the applicable program and to partici-
pate in the Initiative. 
‘‘(h) TECHNICAL
AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
shall provide appropriate technical and financial assistance to pro-
ducers participating in the Initiative in an amount determined 
to be necessary to achieve the purposes of the Initiative. 
‘‘(i) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) RESERVATION.—Of the funds and acres made available 
for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to implement the 
programs described in subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall 
reserve 6 percent of the funds and acres to ensure an adequate 
source of funds and acres for the Initiative. 
‘‘(2) ALLOCATION REQUIREMENTS.—Of the funds and acres 
reserved for the Initiative for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
allocate— 
‘‘(A) 90 percent of the funds and acres to projects 
based on the direction of State conservationists, with the 
advice of State technical committees; and 
‘‘(B) 10 percent of the funds and acres to projects 
based on a national competitive process established by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) UNUSED FUNDING.—Any funds and acres reserved for 
a fiscal year under paragraph (1) that are not obligated by 
April 1 of that fiscal year may be used to carry out other 
activities under the program that is the source of the funds 
or acres during the remainder of that fiscal year. 
‘‘(4) ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS
OF
PARTNERS.—Overhead or 
administrative costs of partners may not be covered by funds 
provided through the Initiative.’’. 
SEC. 2708. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION 
PROGRAMS. 
Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844), 
as amended by section 2707, is further amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(a) INCENTIVES FOR CERTAIN FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND 
INDIAN TRIBES.—
H. R. 2419—158 
‘‘(1) INCENTIVES
AUTHORIZED.—In carrying out any con-
servation program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary 
may provide to a person or entity specified in paragraph (2) 
incentives to participate in the conservation program— 
‘‘(A) to foster new farming and ranching opportunities; 
and 
‘‘(B) to enhance long-term environmental goals. 
‘‘(2) COVERED
PERSONS.—Incentives authorized by para-
graph (1) may be provided to the following: 
‘‘(A) Beginning farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(B) Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(C) Limited resource farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(D) Indian tribes.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections: 
‘‘(f) ACREAGE LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) ENROLLMENTS.—The Secretary shall not enroll 
more than 25 percent of the cropland in any county in 
the programs administered under subchapters B and C 
of chapter 1 of subtitle D. 
‘‘(B) EASEMENTS.—Not more than 10 percent of the 
cropland in a country may be subject to an easement 
acquired under subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The Secretary may exceed the limitation 
in paragraph (1)(A), if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(A) the action would not adversely affect the local 
economy of a county; and 
‘‘(B) operators in the county are having difficulties 
complying with conservation plans implemented under sec-
tion 1212. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN ACREAGE.—The Secretary 
may grant a waiver to exclude acreage enrolled under sub-
section (c)(2)(B) or (f)(4) of section 1234 from the limitations 
in paragraph (1)(A) with the concurrence of the county govern-
ment of the county involved. 
‘‘(4) SHELTERBELTS
AND
WINDBREAKS.—The limitations 
established under paragraph (1) shall not apply to cropland 
that is subject to an easement under subchapter C of chapter 
1 that is used for the establishment of shelterbelts and 
windbreaks. 
‘‘(g) COMPLIANCE AND PERFORMANCE.—For each conservation 
program under subtitle D, the Secretary shall develop procedures— 
‘‘(1) to monitor compliance with program requirements; 
‘‘(2) to measure program performance; 
‘‘(3) to demonstrate whether the long-term conservation 
benefits of the program are being achieved; 
‘‘(4) to track participation by crop and livestock types; and 
‘‘(5) to coordinate activities described in this subsection 
with the national conservation program authorized under sec-
tion 5 of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 
1977 (16 U.S.C. 2004). 
‘‘(h) ENCOURAGEMENT OF POLLINATOR HABITAT DEVELOPMENT 
AND
PROTECTION.—In carrying out any conservation program 
administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may, as appropriate, 
encourage— 
‘‘(1) the development of habitat for native and managed 
pollinators; and
H. R. 2419—159 
‘‘(2) the use of conservation practices that benefit native 
and managed pollinators. 
‘‘(i) STREAMLINED APPLICATION PROCESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out each conservation pro-
gram under this title, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
application process used by producers and landowners is 
streamlined to minimize complexity and eliminate redundancy. 
‘‘(2) REVIEW AND STREAMLINING.— 
‘‘(A) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall carry out a review 
of the application forms and processes for each conservation 
program covered by this subsection. 
‘‘(B) STREAMLINING.—On completion of the review the 
Secretary shall revise application forms and processes, as 
necessary, to ensure that— 
‘‘(i) all required application information is essential 
for the efficient, effective, and accountable implementa-
tion of conservation programs; 
‘‘(ii) conservation program applicants are not 
required to provide information that is readily avail-
able to the Secretary through existing information sys-
tems of the Department of Agriculture; 
‘‘(iii) information provided by the applicant is man-
aged and delivered efficiently for use in all stages 
of the application process, or for multiple applications; 
and 
‘‘(iv) information technology is used effectively to 
minimize data and information input requirements. 
‘‘(3) IMPLEMENTATION AND NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a written notification of completion of the requirements of this 
subsection.’’. 
SEC. 2709. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MARKETS. 
Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is 
amended by inserting after section 1244 (16 U.S.C. 3844) the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1245. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MARKETS. 
‘‘(a) TECHNICAL GUIDELINES REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
establish technical guidelines that outline science-based methods 
to measure the environmental services benefits from conservation 
and land management activities in order to facilitate the participa-
tion of farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in emerging 
environmental services markets. The Secretary shall give priority 
to the establishment of guidelines related to farmer, rancher, and 
forest landowner participation in carbon markets. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish guidelines 
under subsection (a) for use in developing the following: 
‘‘(1) A procedure to measure environmental services bene-
fits. 
‘‘(2) A protocol to report environmental services benefits. 
‘‘(3) A registry to collect, record and maintain the benefits 
measured. 
‘‘(c) VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) VERIFICATION OF REPORTS.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish guidelines for a process to verify that a farmer, rancher, 
or forest landowner who reports an environmental services
H. R. 2419—160 
benefit pursuant to the protocol required by paragraph (2) 
of subsection (b) for inclusion in the registry required by para-
graph (3) of such subsection has implemented the conservation 
or land management activity covered by the report. 
‘‘(2) 
ROLE
OF
THIRD
PARTIES.—In 
establishing 
the 
verification guidelines required by paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall consider the role of third-parties in conducting inde-
pendent verification of benefits produced for environmental 
services markets and other functions, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(d) USE OF EXISTING INFORMATION.—In carrying out subsection 
(b), the Secretary shall build on activities or information in existence 
on the date of the enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 regarding environmental services markets. 
‘‘(e) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall consult with the following: 
‘‘(1) Federal and State government agencies. 
‘‘(2) Nongovernmental interests including— 
‘‘(A) farm, ranch, and forestry producers; 
‘‘(B) financial institutions involved in environmental 
services trading; 
‘‘(C) institutions of higher education with relevant 
expertise or experience; 
‘‘(D) nongovernmental organizations with relevant 
expertise or experience; and 
‘‘(E) private sector representatives with relevant exper-
tise or experience. 
‘‘(3) Other interested persons, as determined by the Sec-
retary.’’. 
SEC. 2710. AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCED SERVICES 
PROGRAM. 
Subtitle F of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is 
amended by inserting after section 1251 (16 U.S.C. 2005a) the 
following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1252. AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCED SERVICES 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a conservation experienced services program (in this section 
referred to as the ‘ACES Program’) for the purpose of utilizing 
the talents of individuals who are age 55 or older, but who are 
not employees of the Department of Agriculture or a State agri-
culture department, to provide technical services in support of the 
conservation-related programs and authorities carried out by the 
Secretary. Such technical services may include conservation plan-
ning assistance, technical consultation, and assistance with design 
and implementation of conservation practices. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) RELATION
TO
OLDER
AMERICAN
COMMUNITY
SERVICE 
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.—Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law relating to Federal grants, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts, to carry out the ACES program during a fiscal year, 
the Secretary may enter into agreements with nonprofit private 
agencies and organizations eligible to receive grants for that 
fiscal year under the Community Service Senior Opportunities 
Act (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.) to secure participants for the
H. R. 2419—161 
ACES program who will provide technical services under the 
ACES program. 
‘‘(2) REQUIRED DETERMINATION.—Before entering into an 
agreement under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure 
that the agreement would not— 
‘‘(A) result in the displacement of individuals employed 
by the Department, including partial displacement through 
reduction of non-overtime hours, wages, or employment 
benefits; 
‘‘(B) result in the use of an individual under the ACES 
program for a job or function in a case in which a Federal 
employee is in a layoff status from the same or a substan-
tially-equivalent job or function with the Department; or 
‘‘(C) affect existing contracts for services. 
‘‘(c) FUNDING SOURCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
the Secretary may carry out the ACES program using funds 
made available to carry out each program under this title. 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSIONS.—Funds made available to carry out the 
following programs may not be used to carry out the ACES 
program: 
‘‘(A) The conservation reserve program. 
‘‘(B) The wetlands reserve program. 
‘‘(C) The grassland reserve program. 
‘‘(D) The conservation stewardship program. 
‘‘(d) LIABILITY.—An individual providing technical services 
under the ACES program is deemed to be an employee of the 
United States Government for purposes of chapter 171 of title 
28, United States Code, if the individual— 
‘‘(1) is providing technical services pursuant to an agree-
ment entered into under subsection (b); and 
‘‘(2) is acting within the scope of the agreement.’’. 
SEC. 2711. ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES AND 
THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. 
Subtitle G of title XII of the Farm Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3861, 3862) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘Subtitle G—State Technical Committees 
‘‘SEC. 1261. ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a technical 
committee in each State to assist the Secretary in the considerations 
relating to implementation and technical aspects of the conservation 
programs under this title. 
‘‘(b) STANDARDS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, 
the Secretary shall develop— 
‘‘(1) standard operating procedures to standardize the oper-
ations of State technical committees; and 
‘‘(2) standards to be used by State technical committees 
in the development of technical guidelines under section 1262(b) 
for the implementation of the conservation provisions of this 
title. 
‘‘(c) COMPOSITION.—Each State technical committee shall be 
composed of agricultural producers and other professionals that
H. R. 2419—162 
represent a variety of disciplines in the soil, water, wetland, and 
wildlife sciences. The technical committee for a State shall include 
representatives from among the following: 
‘‘(1) The Natural Resources Conservation Service. 
‘‘(2) The Farm Service Agency. 
‘‘(3) The Forest Service. 
‘‘(4) The National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 
‘‘(5) The State fish and wildlife agency. 
‘‘(6) The State forester or equivalent State official. 
‘‘(7) The State water resources agency. 
‘‘(8) The State department of agriculture. 
‘‘(9) The State association of soil and water conservation 
districts. 
‘‘(10) Agricultural producers representing the variety of 
crops and livestock or poultry raised within the State. 
‘‘(11) Owners of nonindustrial private forest land. 
‘‘(12) Nonprofit organizations within the meaning of section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with demon-
strable conservation expertise and experience working with 
agriculture producers in the State. 
‘‘(13) Agribusiness. 
‘‘SEC. 1262. RESPONSIBILITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each State technical committee established 
under section 1261 shall meet regularly to provide information, 
analysis, and recommendations to appropriate officials of the 
Department of Agriculture who are charged with implementing 
the conservation provisions of this title. 
‘‘(b) PUBLIC NOTICE AND ATTENDANCE.—Each State technical 
committee shall provide public notice of, and permit public attend-
ance at, meetings considering issues of concern related to carrying 
out this title. 
‘‘(c) ROLE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The role of State technical committees 
is advisory in nature, and such committees shall have no 
implementation or enforcement authority. However, the Sec-
retary shall give strong consideration to the recommendations 
of such committees in administering the programs under this 
title. 
‘‘(2) ADVISORY ROLE IN ESTABLISHING PROGRAM PRIORITIES 
AND CRITERIA.—Each State technical committee shall advise 
the Secretary in establishing priorities and criteria for the 
programs in this title, including the review of whether local 
working groups are addressing those priorities. 
‘‘(d) FACA REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) EXEMPTION.—Each State technical committee shall be 
exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.). 
‘‘(2) LOCAL WORKING GROUPS.—For purposes of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), any local working 
group established under this subtitle shall be considered to 
be a subcommittee of the applicable State technical committee.’’.
H. R. 2419—163 
Subtitle I—Conservation Programs Under 
Other Laws 
SEC. 2801. AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) ELIGIBLE STATES.—Section 524(b)(1) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘Hawaii,’’ after ‘‘Delaware,’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Section 524(b)(4)(B) of the Federal Crop Insur-
ance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4)(B)) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘Except as provided in clauses 
(ii) and (iii)’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in clause (ii)’’; 
and 
(2) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and inserting the fol-
lowing new clause: 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION FOR FISCAL YEARS 2008 THROUGH 
2012.—For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the 
Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available 
to carry out this subsection $15,000,000.’’. 
(c) CERTAIN USES.—Section 524(b)(4) of the Federal Crop Insur-
ance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) CERTAIN USES.—Of the amounts made available 
to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year, the Commodity 
Credit Corporation shall use not less than— 
‘‘(i) 50 percent to carry out subparagraphs (A), 
(B), and (C) of paragraph (2) through the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service; 
‘‘(ii) 10 percent to provide organic certification cost 
share assistance through the Agricultural Marketing 
Service; and 
‘‘(iii) 40 percent to conduct activities to carry out 
subparagraph (F) of paragraph (2) through the Risk 
Management Agency.’’. 
SEC. 2802. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNDER SOIL CONSERVATION AND 
DOMESTIC ALLOTMENT ACT. 
(a) PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The first section of the Soil Conservation 
and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590a) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘That it’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘SECTION 1. PURPOSE. 
‘‘It’’; and 
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘and thereby to preserve natural resources,’’ and inserting 
‘‘to preserve soil, water, and related resources, promote 
soil and water quality,’’. 
(2) POLICIES AND PURPOSES.—Section 7(a)(1) of the Soil 
Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590g(a)(1)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘fertility’’ and inserting ‘‘and water 
quality and related resources’’. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 10 of the Soil Conservation and 
Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590j) is amended to read as 
follows:
H. R. 2419—164 
‘‘SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this Act: 
‘‘(1) AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITY.—The term ‘agricultural 
commodity’ means— 
‘‘(A) an agricultural commodity; and 
‘‘(B) any regional or market classification, type, or 
grade of an agricultural commodity. 
‘‘(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘technical assistance’ 
means technical expertise, information, and tools necessary 
for the conservation of natural resources on land active 
in agricultural, forestry, or related uses. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘technical assistance’ 
includes— 
‘‘(i) technical services provided directly to farmers, 
ranchers, and other eligible entities, such as conserva-
tion planning, technical consultation, and assistance 
with design and implementation of conservation prac-
tices; and 
‘‘(ii) technical infrastructure, including activities, 
processes, tools, and agency functions needed to sup-
port delivery of technical services, such as technical 
standards, resource inventories, training, data, tech-
nology, monitoring, and effects analyses.’’. 
SEC. 2803. SMALL WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM. 
(a) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Section 14(h)(1) of the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1012(h)(1)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to be available 
until expended.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—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 ‘‘fiscal year 2007’’ and 
inserting ‘‘each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012’’. 
SEC. 2804. AMENDMENTS TO SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVA-
TION ACT OF 1977. 
(a) CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.—Section 2 of the Soil and Water 
Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2001) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘base, of the’’ and inserting 
‘‘base of the’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘(3)’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘Since individual’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) Appraisal and inventory of resources, assessment and 
inventory of conservation needs, evaluation of the effects of 
conservation practices, and analyses of alternative approaches 
to existing conservation programs are basic to effective soil, 
water, and related natural resource conservation. 
‘‘(4) Since individual’’. 
(b) CONTINUING APPRAISAL
OF SOIL, WATER, AND RELATED 
RESOURCES.—Section 5 of the Soil and Water Resources Conserva-
tion Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2004) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
H. R. 2419—165 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) data on conservation plans, conservation practices 
planned or implemented, environmental outcomes, economic 
costs, and related matters under conservation programs 
administered by the Secretary.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); 
(3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) EVALUATION OF APPRAISAL.—In conducting the appraisal 
described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall concurrently solicit 
and evaluate recommendations for improving the appraisal, 
including the content, scope, process, participation in, and other 
elements of the appraisal, as determined by the Secretary.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (2), 
by striking the first sentence and inserting the following: ‘‘The 
Secretary shall conduct comprehensive appraisals under this 
section, to be completed by December 31, 2010, and December 
31, 2015.’’. 
(c) SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM.—Section 6 of 
the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 
2005) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d); 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(b) EVALUATION OF EXISTING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.—In 
evaluating existing conservation programs, the Secretary shall 
emphasize demonstration, innovation, and monitoring of specific 
program components in order to encourage further development 
and adoption of practices and performance-based standards. 
‘‘(c) IMPROVEMENT TO PROGRAM.—In developing a national soil 
and water conservation program under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall solicit and evaluate recommendations for improving the pro-
gram, including the content, scope, process, participation in, and 
other elements of the program, as determined by the Secretary.’’; 
and 
(3) in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 1979’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘December 31, 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2011, and 
December 31, 2016’’. 
(d) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Section 7 of the Soil and Water 
Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2006) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 7. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
‘‘(a) APPRAISAL.—Not later than the date on which Congress 
convenes in 2011 and 2016, the President shall transmit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
the appraisal developed under section 5 and completed before the 
end of the previous year. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM AND STATEMENT OF POLICY.—Not later than the 
date on which Congress convenes in 2012 and 2017, the President 
shall transmit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate—
H. R. 2419—166 
‘‘(1) the initial program or updated program developed 
under section 6 and completed before the end of the previous 
year; 
‘‘(2) a detailed statement of policy regarding soil and water 
conservation activities of the Department of Agriculture; and 
‘‘(3) a special evaluation of the status, conditions, and 
trends of soil quality on cropland in the United States that 
addresses the challenges and opportunities for reducing soil 
erosion to tolerance levels. 
‘‘(c) IMPROVEMENTS TO APPRAISAL AND PROGRAM.—Not later 
than the date on which Congress convenes in 2012, 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 describing the plans of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture for improving the resource appraisal and 
national conservation program required under this Act, based on 
the recommendations received under sections 5(d) and 6(c).’’. 
(e) TERMINATION
OF PROGRAM.—Section 10 of the Soil and 
Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2009) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2008’’ and inserting ‘‘2018’’. 
SEC. 2805. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) LOCALLY LED PLANNING PROCESS.—Section 1528 of the Agri-
culture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘planning process’’ and inserting ‘‘locally led 
planning process’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs 
(9) and (8), respectively, and moving those paragraphs so as 
to appear in numerical order; 
(3) in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘PLANNING
PROCESS’’ and inserting 
‘‘LOCALLY LED PLANNING PROCESS’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘council’’ and inserting ‘‘locally led 
council’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 1528(13) of 
the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451(13)) is 
amended by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the 
following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(C) providing assistance for the implementation of 
area plans and projects; and 
‘‘(D) providing services that involve the resources of 
Department of Agriculture programs in a local community, 
as defined in the locally led planning process.’’. 
(c) IMPROVED PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 
1531 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3454) 
is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before ‘‘In carrying’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) COORDINATOR.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To improve the provision of technical 
assistance to councils under this subtitle, the Secretary shall 
designate for each council an individual to be the coordinator 
for the council.
H. R. 2419—167 
‘‘(2) RESPONSIBILITY.—A coordinator for a council shall be 
directly responsible for the provision of technical assistance 
to the council.’’. 
(d) PROGRAM EVALUATION.—Section 1534 of the Agriculture 
and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3457) is repealed. 
SEC. 2806. USE OF FUNDS IN BASIN FUNDS FOR SALINITY CONTROL 
ACTIVITIES UPSTREAM OF IMPERIAL DAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 202(a) of the Colorado River Basin 
Salinity Control Act (43 U.S.C. 1592(a)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) BASIN STATES PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A Basin States Program that the 
Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, shall 
implement to carry out salinity control activities in the 
Colorado River Basin using funds made available under 
section 205(f). 
‘‘(B) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council, 
shall carry out this paragraph using funds described in 
subparagraph (A) directly or by providing grants, grant 
commitments, or advance funds to Federal or non-Federal 
entities under such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
may require. 
‘‘(C) ACTIVITIES.—Funds described in subparagraph (A) 
shall be used to carry out, as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) cost-effective measures and associated works 
to reduce salinity from saline springs, leaking wells, 
irrigation sources, industrial sources, erosion of public 
and private land, or other sources; 
‘‘(ii) operation and maintenance of salinity control 
features constructed under the Colorado River Basin 
salinity control program; and 
‘‘(iii) studies, planning, and administration of 
salinity control activities. 
‘‘(D) REPORT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days before 
implementing the program established under this para-
graph, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a planning report that 
describes the proposed implementation of the program. 
‘‘(ii) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary may not 
expend funds to implement the program established 
under this paragraph before the expiration of the 30- 
day period beginning on the date on which the Sec-
retary submits the report, or any revision to the report, 
under clause (i).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 202 of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1592) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘program’’ and inserting ‘‘programs’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(4)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘program’’ and inserting ‘‘programs’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and (6)’’ and inserting ‘‘(6), and 
(7)’’.