§3838n. Grassland reserve program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a grassland reserve program (referred to in this subpart as the "program") to assist owners in restoring and conserving eligible land described in subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Enrollment conditions
(1) Maximum enrollment
The total number of acres enrolled in the program shall not exceed 2,000,000 acres of restored or improved grassland, rangeland, and pastureland.
(2) Methods of enrollment
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall enroll in the program from a willing owner not less than 40 contiguous acres of land through the use of-
(i) a 10-year, 15-year, or 20-year rental agreement;
(ii)(I) a 30-year rental agreement or permanent or 30-year easement; or
(II) in a State that imposes a maximum duration for easements, an easement for the maximum duration allowed under State law.
(B) Waiver
The Secretary may enroll in the program such parcels of land that are less than 40 acres as the Secretary determines are appropriate to achieve the purposes of the program.
(3) Limitation on use of easements and rental agreements
Of the total amount of funds expended under the program to acquire easements and rental agreements described in paragraph (2)(A)-
(A) not more than 40 percent shall be used for rental agreements described in paragraph (2)(A)(i); and
(B) not more than 60 percent shall be used for easements and rental agreements described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).
(c) Eligible land
Land shall be eligible to be enrolled in the program if the Secretary determines that the land is private land that is-
(1) grassland, land that contains forbs, or shrubland (including improved rangeland and pastureland); or
(2) land that-
(A) is located in an area that has been historically dominated by grassland, forbs, or shrubland; and
(B) has potential to serve as habitat for animal or plant populations of significant ecological value if the land is-
(i) retained in the current use of the land; or
(ii) restored to a natural condition; or
(3) land that is incidental to land described in paragraph (1) or (2), if the incidental land is determined by the Secretary to be necessary for the efficient administration of an agreement or easement.
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