Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/1370

 95 STAT. 1344

PUBLIC LAW 97-98—DEC. 22, 1981

implementing the provisions of this subtitle. Such report shall include information on— (1) the effects, if any, of Federal programs, authorities, and administrative activities with respect to the protection of United States farmland; and (2) the results of the reviews of existing policies and procedures required under section 1542(a) of this subtitle. STATEMENT OP UMTTATION

7 USC 4208.

SEC. 1547. (a) This subtitle does not authorize the Federal Government in any way to regulate the use of private or non-Federal land, or in any way affect the property rights of owners of such land. (b) None of the provisions or other requirements of this subtitle shall apply to the acquisition or use of farmland for national defense purposes. PROHIBITION

7 USC 4209.

SEC. 1548. This subtitle shall not be deemed to provide a basis for any action, either legal or equitable, by any State, local unit of government, or any person or class of persons challenging a Federal project, program, or other activity that may affect farmland. EFFECTIVE DATE

7 USC 4201 note.

SEC, 1549. The provisions of this subtitle shall become effective six months after the date of enactment of this Act. Subtitle J—Miscellaneous Provisions LOCAL SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

7 USC 2273.

SEC. 1550. The Secretary of Agriculture may assist, through the use of Soil Conservation Service personnel, vehicles, commpnication equipment, and other equipment or materials available to the Secretary, in local search and rescue operations when requested by responsible local public authorities. Such assistance may be provided in emergencies caused by tornadoes, fires, floods, snowstorms, earthquakes, and similar disasters. RECLAMATION

SEC. 1551. Section 406(d) of the Surfacing Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1236(d)) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: "Notwithstanding any other provision of this section with regard to acreage limitations, the Secretary of Agriculture may carry out experimental reclamation treatment projects to control erosion and improve water quality on all lands within a hydrologic unit, consisting of not more than 25,000 acres, if the Secretary determines that treatment of such lands as a hydrologic unit will achieve greater reduction in the adverse effects of past surface mining practices than would be achieved if reclamation was done on individual parcels of land.". PAYMENTS FOR LAND REMOVED FROM PRODUCTION FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES

contracts. 16 USC 3471.

SEC. 1552. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture may enter into contracts to provide financial assistance in the form of payments to

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