2019 US Code
Title 16 - Conservation
Chapter 58 - Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation and Reserve Program
Subchapter IV - Agricultural Resources Conservation Program
Part IV - Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program
Subpart a - Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Sec. 3839aa - Purposes

The purposes of the environmental quality incentives program established by this subpart are to promote agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible goals, and to optimize environmental benefits, by—

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, §1240, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, §2301, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 253; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §2501(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1057; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title II, §2501(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1785; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, §2201, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 728; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §§2301(d)(1)(D), 2302, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4554, 4555.)

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 L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub.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.

A prior section 3839aa, Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, §1240, as added Pub. L. 104–127, title III, §334, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 996, related to purposes, prior to the general amendment of this part by Pub. L. 107–171.

2018—Pub. L. 115–334, §2301(d)(1)(D), substituted "this subpart" for "this part" in introductory provisions.

Par. (4). Pub. L. 115–334, §2302, added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: "assisting producers to make beneficial, cost effective changes to production systems (including conservation practices related to organic production), grazing management, fuels management, forest management, nutrient management associated with livestock, pest or irrigation management, or other practices on agricultural and forested land."

2014—Par. (3). Pub. L. 113–79, §2201(1), added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).

Par. (4). Pub. L. 113–79, §2201(2), substituted a period for "; and" at end.

Par. (5). Pub. L. 113–79, §2201(3), struck out par. (5) which read as follows: "consolidating and streamlining conservation planning and regulatory compliance processes to reduce administrative burdens on producers and the cost of achieving environmental goals."

2008—Pub. L. 110–246, §2501(a)(1), inserted ", forest management," after "agricultural production" in introductory provisions.

Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 110–246, §2501(a)(2), added pars. (3) and (4) and struck out former pars. (3) and (4) which read as follows:

"(3) providing flexible assistance to producers to install and maintain conservation practices that enhance soil, water, related natural resources (including grazing land and wetland), and wildlife while sustaining production of food and fiber;

"(4) assisting producers to make beneficial, cost effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management, nutrient management associated with livestock, pest or irrigation management, or other practices on agricultural land; and".

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.

Pub. L. 113–79, title II, §2208, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 731, provided that: "The amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§2201–2208) of title II of Pub. L. 113–79, amending this section and sections 3839aa–1 to 3839aa–4, 3839aa–7, and 3839aa–8 of this title] shall not affect the validity or terms of any contract entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture under chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [Feb. 7, 2014], or any payments required to be made in connection with the contract."