Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/1932

 PUBLIC LAW 108–148—DEC. 3, 2003

117 STAT. 1913

(1) species listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); and (2) animal or plant species before the species reach threatened or endangered status, such as candidate, State-listed species, and special concern species. SEC. 504. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

16 USC 6574.

(a) EASEMENTS OF NOT MORE THAN 99 YEARS.—In the case of land enrolled in the healthy forests reserve program using an easement of not more than 99 years described in section 502(f)(1)(C), the Secretary of Agriculture shall pay the owner of the land an amount equal to not less than 75 percent, nor more than 100 percent, of (as determined by the Secretary)— (1) the fair market value of the enrolled land during the period the land is subject to the easement, less the fair market value of the land encumbered by the easement; and (2) the actual costs of the approved conservation practices or the average cost of approved practices carried out on the land during the period in which the land is subject to the easement. (b) THIRTY-YEAR EASEMENT.—In the case of land enrolled in the healthy forests reserve program using a 30-year easement, the Secretary of Agriculture shall pay the owner of the land an amount equal to not more than (as determined by the Secretary)— (1) 75 percent of the fair market value of the land, less the fair market value of the land encumbered by the easement; and (2) 75 percent of the actual costs of the approved conservation practices or 75 percent of the average cost of approved practices. (c) TEN-YEAR AGREEMENT.—In the case of land enrolled in the healthy forests reserve program using a 10-year cost-share agreement, the Secretary of Agriculture shall pay the owner of the land an amount equal to not more than (as determined by the Secretary)— (1) fifty percent of the actual costs of the approved conservation practices; or (2) fifty percent of the average cost of approved practices. (d) ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Secretary of Agriculture may accept and use contributions of non-Federal funds to make payments under this section. SEC. 505. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

16 USC 6575.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide landowners with technical assistance to assist the owners in complying with the terms of plans (as included in agreements or easements) under the healthy forests reserve program. (b) TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.—The Secretary of Agriculture may request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, individuals or entities certified as technical service providers under section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842), to assist the Secretary in providing technical assistance necessary to develop and implement the healthy forests reserve program.

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