§3839aa. Purposes

The purposes of the environmental quality incentives program established by this part are to-

(1) combine into a single program the functions of-

(A) the agricultural conservation program authorized by sections 590g and 590h of this title (as in effect before the amendments made by section 336(a)(1) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996);

(B) the Great Plains conservation program established under section 590p(b) of this title (as in effect before the amendment made by section 336(b)(1) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996);

(C) the water quality incentives program established under part II of this subchapter (as in effect before the amendment made by section 336(h) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996); and

(D) the Colorado River Basin salinity control program established under section 1592(c) of title 43 (as in effect before the amendment made by section 336(c)(1) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996); and

(2) carry out the single program in a manner that maximizes environmental benefits per dollar expended, and that provides-

(A) flexible technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers that face the most serious threats to soil, water, and related natural resources, including grazing lands, wetlands, and wildlife habitat;

(B) assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with this chapter and Federal and State environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement;

(C) assistance to farmers and ranchers in making beneficial, cost-effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management, manure, nutrient, pest, or irrigation management, land uses, or other measures needed to conserve and improve soil, water, and related natural resources; and

(D) for the consolidation and simplification of the conservation planning process to reduce administrative burdens on producers.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, §1240, as added Pub. L. 104–127, title III, §334, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 996 .)

References in Text

Section 336 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, referred to in par. (1), is section 336 of Pub. L. 104–127. Section 336(a)(1) amended sections 590h, 590k, 590n, and 590o of this title, section 336(b)(1) repealed section 590p of this title, section 336(c)(1) amended section 1592 of Title 43, Public Lands, and section 336(h) repealed part II (§3838 et seq.) of this subchapter.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 3839aa–7 of this title.