16 U.S.C. § 3834 (CONSERVATION)
§ 3834. Payments
(a) Timing
The Secretary shall provide payment for obligations incurred by the Secretary under a contract entered into under this subpart—
(1) with respect to any cost-sharing payment obligation incurred by the Secretary, as soon as practicable after the obligation is incurred; and
(2) with respect to any annual rental payment obligation incurred by the Secretary—
(A) as soon as practicable after October 1 of each calendar year; or
(B) at the option of the Secretary, at any time prior to such date during the year that the obligation is incurred.
(b) Cost sharing payments
(1) In general
In making cost sharing payments to an owner or operator under a contract entered into under this subpart, the Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the cost of establishing water quality and conservation measures and practices required under each contract for which the Secretary determines that cost sharing is appropriate and in the public interest.
(2) Limitation
The Secretary shall not make any payment to an owner or operator under this subpart to the extent that the total amount of cost sharing payments provided to the owner or operator from all sources would exceed 100 percent of the total cost of establishing measures and practices described in paragraph (1).
(3) Trees, windbreaks, shelterbelts, and wildlife corridors
(A) Applicability
This paragraph applies to land devoted to the production of hardwood trees, windbreaks, shelterbelts, or wildlife corridors under a contract entered into under this subpart after November 28, 1990.
(B) Payments
(i) Percentage
In making cost share payments to an owner or operator of land described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the owner or operator for maintaining trees or shrubs, including the cost of replanting (if the trees or shrubs were lost due to conditions beyond the control of the owner or operator).
(ii) Duration
The Secretary shall make payments as described in clause (i) for a period of not less than 2 years, but not more than 4 years, beginning on the date of the planting of the trees or shrubs.
(4) Hardwood tree planting
The Secretary may permit owners or operators that contract to devote at least 10 acres of land to the production of hardwood trees under this subpart to extend the planting of the trees over a 3-year period if at least ⅓ of the trees are planted in each of the first 2 years.
(5) Other Federal cost share assistance
An owner or operator shall not be eligible to receive or retain cost share assistance under this subsection if the owner or operator receives any other Federal cost share assistance with respect to the land under any other provision of law.
(c) Incentive payments
(1) In general
The Secretary may make incentive payments to an owner or operator of eligible land in an amount sufficient to encourage proper thinning and other practices to improve the condition of resources, promote forest management, or enhance wildlife habitat on the land.
(2) Limitation
A payment described in paragraph (1) may not exceed 150 percent of the total cost of thinning and other practices conducted by the owner or operator.
(d) Annual rental payments
(1) In general
In determining the amount of annual rental payments to be paid to owners and operators for converting highly erodible cropland or other eligible lands normally devoted to the production of an agricultural commodity to less intensive use, the Secretary may consider, among other things, the amount necessary to encourage owners or operators of highly erodible cropland or other eligible lands to participate in the program established by this subpart.
(2) Methods of determination
(A) In general
The amounts payable to owners or operators in the form of rental payments under contracts entered into under this subpart may be determined through—
(i) the submission of bids for such contracts by owners and operators in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe; or
(ii) such other means as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
(B) Grasslands
In the case of eligible land described in section 3831(b)(3) of this title, the Secretary shall make annual payments in an amount that is not more than 75 percent of the grazing value of the land covered by the contract.
(3) Acceptance of contract offers
(A) Evaluation of offers
In determining the acceptability of contract offers, the Secretary may take into consideration the extent to which enrollment of the land that is the subject of the contract offer would improve soil resources, water quality, or wildlife habitat or provide other environmental benefits.
(B) Establishment of different criteria in various States and regions
The Secretary may establish different criteria for determining the acceptability of contract offers in various States and regions of the United States based on the extent to which water quality or wildlife habitat may be improved or erosion may be abated.
(C) Local preference
In determining the acceptability of contract offers for new enrollments, the Secretary shall accept, to the maximum extent practicable, an offer from an owner or operator that is a resident of the county in which the land is located or of a contiguous county if, as determined by the Secretary, the land would provide at least equivalent conservation benefits to land under competing offers.
(4) Hardwood tree acreage
In the case of acreage enrolled in the conservation reserve established under this subpart that is to be devoted to hardwood trees, the Secretary may consider bids for contracts under this subsection on a continuous basis.
(5) Rental rates
(A) Annual estimates
The Secretary (acting through the National Agricultural Statistics Service) shall, not less frequently than once every other year, conduct a survey of per acre estimates of county average market dryland and irrigated cash rental rates for cropland and pastureland in all counties or equivalent subdivisions within each State that have 20,000 acres or more of cropland and pastureland.
(B) Public availability of estimates
The estimates derived from the survey conducted under subparagraph (A) shall be maintained on a website of the Department of Agriculture for use by the general public.
(C) Use
The Secretary may use the estimates derived from the survey conducted under subparagraph (A) relating to dryland cash rental rates as a factor in determining rental rates under this section in a manner determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(e) Payment schedule
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this section, payments under this subpart shall be made in cash in such amount and on such time schedule as is agreed on and specified in the contract.
(2) Advance payment
Payments under this subpart may be made in advance of determination of performance.
(f) Payments on death, disability, or succession
If an owner or operator that is entitled to a payment under a contract entered into under this subpart dies, becomes incompetent, is otherwise unable to receive the payment, or is succeeded by another person that renders or completes the required performance, the Secretary shall make the payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary and without regard to any other provision of law, in such manner as the Secretary determines is fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances.
(g) Payment limitation for rental payments
(1) In general
The total amount of rental payments received by a person or legal entity, directly or indirectly, under this subpart for any fiscal year may not exceed $50,000.
(2) Special conservation reserve enhancement program
(A) In general
The provisions of this subsection that limit payments to any person or legal entity, and section 1305(d) of the Agricultural Reconciliation Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 1308 note; Public Law 100–203), shall not be applicable to payments received by a State, political subdivision, or agency thereof in connection with agreements entered into under a special conservation reserve enhancement program carried out by that entity that has been approved by the Secretary.
(B) Agreements
The Secretary may enter into such agreements for payments to States (including political subdivisions and agencies of States) that the Secretary determines will advance the purposes of this subpart.
(h) Other State or local assistance
In addition to any payment under this subpart, an owner or operator may receive cost share assistance, rental payments, or tax benefits from a State or subdivision thereof for enrolling land in the conservation reserve program.
(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1234, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 245; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §§ 2109, 2110(a), (b)(1), (c), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1034, 1035; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, §§ 2109, 2110(a), (b)(1), (c), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1762, 1763; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2005, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 718.)
heading: Codification
text: Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 3834, Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1234, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1511; Pub. L. 100–387, title III, § 322, Aug. 11, 1988, 102 Stat. 950; Pub. L. 101–624, title XIV, §§ 1434, 1447(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3581, 3605, related to payments for obligations, prior to the general amendment of this subpart by Pub. L. 107–171.
heading: Amendments
text: 2014—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(1)(A), struck out “Federal percentage of” before “cost sharing payments” in heading.
Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(a), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “This paragraph applies to—
“(i) land devoted to the production of hardwood trees, windbreaks, shelterbelts, or wildlife corridors under a contract entered into under this subpart after November 28, 1990;
“(ii) land converted to such production under section 3835a of this title; and
“(iii) land on which an owner or operator agrees to conduct thinning authorized by section 3832(a)(9) of this title, if the thinning is necessary to improve the condition of resources on the land.”
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(1)(B)(i), struck out “or thinning” before period at end.
Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(1)(B)(ii), amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary shall make payments as described in clause (i) for a period of not less than 2 years, but not more than 4 years, beginning on the date of—
“(I) the planting of the trees or shrubs; or
“(II) the thinning of existing stands to improve the condition of resources on the land.”
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(2), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(c)(1), inserted “or other eligible lands” after “highly erodible cropland” in two places.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(c)(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The amounts payable to owners or operators in the form of rental payments under contracts entered into under this subpart may be determined through—
“(A) the submission of bids for such contracts by owners and operators in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe; or
“(B) such other means as the Secretary determines are appropriate.”
Subsec. (d)(5)(A). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(c)(3)(A), substituted “, not less frequently than once every other year, conduct a survey” for “conduct an annual survey”.
Subsec. (d)(5)(B). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(c)(3)(B), struck out “annual” before “survey”.
Subsec. (d)(5)(C). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(c)(3)(C), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(d), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) related to cash or in-kind payments.
Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(2), redesignated subsecs. (e) and (f) as (f) and (g), respectively. Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(e)(1), struck out “, including rental payments made in the form of in-kind commodities,” after “total amount of rental payments”.
Subsec. (g)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(e)(2), (3), redesignated par. (4) as (2) and struck out par. (3). Prior to amendment, text of par. (3) read as follows: “Rental payments received by an owner or operator shall be in addition to, and not affect, the total amount of payments that the owner or operator is otherwise eligible to receive under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.”
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2005(b)(2), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).
2008—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2109, added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which related to the making of payments to an owner or operator of land devoted to the production of hardwood trees, windbreaks, shelterbelts, or wildlife corridors.
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2110(a), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In determining the acceptability of contract offers, the Secretary may—
“(A) take into consideration the extent to which enrollment of the land that is the subject of the contract offer would improve soil resources, water quality, wildlife habitat, or provide other environmental benefits; and
“(B) establish different criteria in various States and regions of the United States based on the extent to which water quality or wildlife habitat may be improved or erosion may be abated.”
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2110(b)(1), added par. (5).
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2110(c)(1), substituted “received by a person or legal entity, directly or indirectly,” for “made to a person”.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2110(c)(2), struck out par. (2) which related to promulgation of regulations defining the term “person” as used in subsec. (f) and providing terms and conditions determined necessary to ensure a fair and reasonable application of the subsec. (f) limitation.
Subsec. (f)(4)(A). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2110(c)(3), substituted “any person or legal entity” for “any person”.
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.
heading: First Survey Pursuant to Subsection (c)(5)
text: Pub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2110(b)(2), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1035, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, § 2110(b)(2), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1763, provided that: “The first survey required by paragraph (5) of section 1234(c) [now 1234(d)] of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(c) [now 16 U.S.C. 3834(d)]), as added by subsection (a), shall be conducted not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [June 18, 2008].”
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]
heading: Conservation Research Application
text: For provisions directing that enumerated provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 shall apply to the conservation reserve program under this subchapter with respect to rental payments to persons under contracts entered into after Dec. 22, 1987, with certain exceptions, see section 1305(d) of Pub. L. 100–203, set out as a note under section 1308 of Title 7, Agriculture.