2014 US Code
Title 16 - Conservation (Sections 1 - 7304)
Chapter 58 - Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation and Reserve Program (Sections 3801 - 3871f)
Subchapter VIII - Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Sections 3871 - 3871f)
Sec. 3871a - Definitions

In this subchapter:

The term "covered program" means the following:

(A) The agricultural conservation easement program.

(B) The environmental quality incentives program.

(C) The conservation stewardship program.

(D) The healthy forests reserve program established under section 6571 of this title.

The term "eligible activity" means a conservation activity for any of the following:

(A) Water quality restoration or enhancement projects, including nutrient management and sediment reduction.

(B) Water quantity conservation, restoration, or enhancement projects relating to surface water and groundwater resources, including—

(i) the conversion of irrigated cropland to the production of less water-intensive agricultural commodities or dryland farming; or

(ii) irrigation system improvement and irrigation efficiency enhancement.

(C) Drought mitigation.

(D) Flood prevention.

(E) Water retention.

(F) Air quality improvement.

(G) Habitat conservation, restoration, and enhancement.

(H) Erosion control and sediment reduction.

(I) Forest restoration.

(J) Other related activities that the Secretary determines will help achieve conservation benefits.

The term "eligible land" means—

(i) land on which agricultural commodities, livestock, or forest-related products are produced; and

(ii) lands associated with the lands described in clause (i).

The term "eligible land" includes—

(i) cropland;

(ii) grassland;

(iii) rangeland;

(iv) pastureland;

(v) nonindustrial private forest land; and

(vi) other land incidental to agricultural production (including wetlands and riparian buffers) on which significant natural resource issues could be addressed under the program.

The term "eligible partner" means any of the following:

(A) An agricultural or silvicultural producer association or other group of producers.

(B) A State or unit of local government.

(C) An Indian tribe.

(D) A farmer cooperative.

(E) A water district, irrigation district, rural water district or association, or other organization with specific water delivery authority to producers on agricultural land.

(F) A municipal water or wastewater treatment entity.

(G) An institution of higher education.

(H) An organization or entity with an established history of working cooperatively with producers on agricultural land, as determined by the Secretary, to address—

(i) local conservation priorities related to agricultural production, wildlife habitat development, or nonindustrial private forest land management; or

(ii) critical watershed-scale soil erosion, water quality, sediment reduction, or other natural resource issues.

The term "partnership agreement" means an agreement entered into under section 3871b of this title between the Secretary and an eligible partner.

The term "program" means the regional conservation partnership program established by this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, §1271A, as added Pub. L. 113–79, title II, §2401, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 745.)