<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="IV">TITLE IV—</num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM </heading> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s401" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="401">SEC. 401. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2201">16 U.S.C. 2201</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM. </heading> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s401/a" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">In General.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this title as the “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">Secretary</quotedText>”) is authorized to make payments to agricultural producers who carry out emergency measures to control wind erosion on farmlands or to rehabilitate farmlands damaged by wind erosion, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, or other natural disasters when, as a result of the foregoing, new conservation problems have been created that (1) if not treated, will impair or endanger the land, (2) materially affect the productive capacity of the land, (3) represent damage that is unusual in character and, except for wind erosion, is not the type that would recur frequently in the same area, and (4) will be so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is or will be required to return the land to productive agricultural use.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s401/b" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Repair or Replacement of Fencing.—</heading> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s401/b/1" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">In general.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">With respect to a payment to an agricultural producer under subsection (a) for the repair or replacement of fencing, the Secretary shall give the agricultural producer the option of receiving not more than 25 percent of the payment, determined by the Secretary based on the applicable percentage of the fair market value of the cost of the repair or replacement, before the agricultural producer carries out the repair or replacement.</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s401/b/2" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Return of funds.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">If the funds provided under paragraph (1) are not expended by the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date on which the agricultural producer receives those funds, the funds shall be returned within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the Secretary.</content> </paragraph> </subsection> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s402" styleType="traditional-inline"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="402">Sec. 402. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2202">16 U.S.C. 2202</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary is authorized to make payments to agricultural producers who carry out emergency water conservation or water enhancing measures (including measures carried out to assist confined livestock) during periods<ref style="-uslm-dtd:footnote-ref" idref="ID96529BE99B2D4129A096F8D92160E0E9" class="footnoteRef">402–1</ref> of severe drought as determined by the Secretary.</content><footnote id="ID96529BE99B2D4129A096F8D92160E0E9" style="-uslm-dtd:footnote"><sup style="-uslm-dtd:superscript">402–1</sup><p style="-uslm-dtd:para; margin-left:1em">Effective only for fiscal year 1989, sec. 502(2) of P.L. 101–82, 103 Stat. 586, Aug. 14, 1989, amended this sec. by striking “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">periods</quotedText>” and inserting “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">any fiscal year in which there is a period</quotedText>”.</p></footnote> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s402A" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="402A">SEC. 402A. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2202a">16 U.S.C. 2202a</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">COST-SHARE REQUIREMENT. </heading> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s402A/a" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Cost-share Rate.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the maximum cost-share payment under sections 401 and 402 shall not exceed 75 percent of the total allowable cost, as determined by the Secretary.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s402A/b" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Exception.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Notwithstanding subsection (a), a payment to a limited resource farmer or rancher, a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (as defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279), or a beginning farmer or rancher under section 401 or 402 shall not exceed 90 percent of the total allowable cost, as determined by the Secretary.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s402A/c" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Limitation.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The total payment under sections 401 and 402 for a single event may not exceed 50 percent of the agriculture value of the land, as determined by the Secretary.</content> </subsection> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s402B" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="402B">SEC. 402B. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2202b">16 U.S.C. 2202b</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">PAYMENT LIMITATION. </heading> <content style="-uslm-dtd:text" class="block">The maximum payment made under the emergency conservation program to an agricultural producer under sections 401 and 402 shall not exceed $500,000.</content> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="403">SEC. 403. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2203">16 U.S.C. 2203</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROGRAM.<ref style="-uslm-dtd:footnote-ref" idref="ID053860B0E1BB494080B6BC3E52691FC4" class="footnoteRef">1</ref> </heading> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/a" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">In General.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary is authorized to undertake emergency watershed protection measures, including the purchase of floodplain easements, for runoff retardation and soil-erosion prevention, in cooperation with landowners and land users, as the Secretary deems necessary to safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion on any watershed whenever fire, flood, or any other natural occurrence is causing or has caused a sudden impairment of that watershed.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Floodplain Easements.—</heading> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/1" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Modification and termination.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary may modify or terminate a floodplain easement administered by the Secretary under this section if—</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/1/A" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">the current owner agrees to the modification or termination; and</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/1/B" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">the Secretary determines that the modification or termination—</chapeau> <clause style="-uslm-dtd:clause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/1/B/i" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="i">(i) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">will address a compelling public need for which there is no practicable alternative; and</content> </clause> <clause style="-uslm-dtd:clause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/1/B/ii" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="ii">(ii) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">is in the public interest.</content> </clause> </subparagraph> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Consideration.—</heading> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/A" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Termination.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">As consideration for termination of an easement and associated agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall enter into compensatory arrangements as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/B" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Modification.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">In the case of a modification under paragraph (1)—</chapeau> <clause style="-uslm-dtd:clause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/B/i" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="i">(i) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">as a condition of the modification, the current owner shall enter into a compensatory arrangement (as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary) to incur the costs of modification; and</content> </clause> <clause style="-uslm-dtd:clause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/B/ii" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="ii">(ii) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">the Secretary shall ensure that—</chapeau> <subclause style="-uslm-dtd:subclause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/B/ii/I" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="I">(I) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">the modification will not adversely affect the floodplain functions and values for which the easement was acquired;</content> </subclause> <subclause style="-uslm-dtd:subclause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/B/ii/II" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="II">(II) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">any adverse impacts will be mitigated by enrollment and restoration of other land that provides greater floodplain functions and values at no additional cost to the Federal Government; and</content> </subclause> <subclause style="-uslm-dtd:subclause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s403/b/2/B/ii/III" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="III">(III) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">the modification will result in equal or greater environmental and economic values to the United States.</content> </subclause> </clause> </subparagraph> </paragraph> </subsection><footnote id="ID053860B0E1BB494080B6BC3E52691FC4" style="-uslm-dtd:footnote"><sup style="-uslm-dtd:superscript">1</sup><p style="-uslm-dtd:para; margin-left:1em">Section 2506(1) of Public Law 113-79 amends section 403 of this Act by striking “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">Sec. 403. The Secretary</quotedText>” and inserting “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">SEC 403.</quotedText>” through “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">The Secretary</quotedText>”. The matter proposed to be struck should have appeared in lightface type with “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">Sec</quotedText>” appearing in initial cap and small caps. Such amendment was executed to reflect the probable intent of Congress.</p></footnote> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s404" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="404">SEC. 404. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2204">16 U.S.C. 2204</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION. </heading> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s404/a" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Authorization of Appropriations.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">There are authorized to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title, to remain available until expended. </content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s404/b" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Set-aside for Fencing.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Of the amounts made available under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, 25 percent shall be set aside until April 1 of that fiscal year for the repair or replacement of fencing.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s404/c" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Use of Commodity Credit Corporation.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In implementing this title, the Secretary may use the facilities, services, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s404/d" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="d">(d) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Limitation.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Commodity Credit Corporation shall not make any expenditures to carry out the provisions of this title unless funds specifically appropriated for such purpose have been transferred to it.</content> </subsection> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s405" styleType="traditional-inline"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="405">Sec. 405. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2205">16 U.S.C. 2205</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such regulations as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.</content> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s406" styleType="traditional-inline"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="406">Sec. 406. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2201">16 U.S.C. 2201</ref>, note<b>]</b> </editorialNote><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The provisions of this title shall become effective October 1, 1978.</content> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="407">SEC. 407. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t16/s2206">16 U.S.C. 2206</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM. </heading> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Definitions.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">In this section:</chapeau> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/1" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Emergency measures.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The term “<term style="-uslm-dtd:term">emergency measures</term>” means those measures that—</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/1/A" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">are necessary to address damage caused by a natural disaster to natural resources on nonindustrial private forest land, and the damage, if not treated—</chapeau> <clause style="-uslm-dtd:clause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/1/A/i" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="i">(i) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">would impair or endanger the natural resources on the land; and</content> </clause> <clause style="-uslm-dtd:clause" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/1/A/ii" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="ii">(ii) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">would materially affect future use of the land; and</content> </clause> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/1/B" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">would restore forest health and forest-related resources on the land.</content> </subparagraph> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/2" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Natural disaster.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The term “<term style="-uslm-dtd:term">natural disaster</term>” includes wildfires, hurricanes or excessive winds, drought, ice storms or blizzards, floods, or other resource-impacting events, as determined by the Secretary.</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/3" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Nonindustrial private forest land.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The term “<term style="-uslm-dtd:term">nonindustrial private forest land</term>” means rural land, as determined by the Secretary, that—</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/3/A" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">has existing tree cover (or had tree cover immediately before the natural disaster and is suitable for growing trees); and</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/a/3/B" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">is owned by any nonindustrial private individual, group, association, corporation, or other private legal entity, that has definitive decision-making authority over the land.</content> </subparagraph> </paragraph> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/b" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Availability of Assistance.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary may make payments to an owner of nonindustrial private forest land who carries out emergency measures to restore the land after the land is damaged by a natural disaster.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/c" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Eligibility.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">To be eligible to receive a payment under subsection (b), an owner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the nonindustrial private forest land on which the emergency measures are carried out had tree cover immediately before the natural disaster.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/d" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="d">(d) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Cost Share Requirement.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Payments made under subsection (b) shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the emergency measures carried out by an owner of nonindustrial private forest land.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/95/334/tIV/s407/e" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="e">(e) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Authorization of Appropriations.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such funds as may be necessary to carry out this section. Amounts so appropriated shall remain available until expended.</content> </subsection> </section>

AN ACTTo amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, provide an economic emergency loan program for farmers and ranchers, extend the Emergency Livestock Credit Act of 1974, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

[7 U.S.C. 1921 note] That this Act may be cited as the “Agricultural Credit Act of 1978”. * * * * * * *