Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 2.djvu/399

 PUBLIC LAW 99-198—DEC. 23, 1985

99 STAT. 1509

Subtitle D—Conservation Reserve CONSERVATION RESERVE

SEC. 1231. (a) During the 1986 through 1990 crop years, the Secretary shall formulate and carry out a conservation reserve program, in accordance with this subtitle, through contracts to assist owners and operators of highly erodible cropland in conserving and improving the soil and water resources of their farms or ranches. 0?) The Secretary shall enter into contracts with owners and operators of farms and ranches containing highly erodible cropland to place in the conservation reserve— (1) during the 1986 crop year, not less thein 5, nor more than 45, million acres; (2) during the 1986 through 1987 crop years, a total of not less than 15, nor more than 45, million acres; (3) during the 1986 through 1988 crop years, a total of not less than 25, nor more than 45, million acres; (4) during the 1986 through 1989 crop years, a total of not less than 35, nor more than 45, million acres; and (5) during the 1986 through 1990 crop years, a total of not less than 40, nor more than 45, million acres. (c)(l)(A) Notwithstanding subsection (b), effective for each of the fiscal years 1986 through 1989, the Secretary may reduce by up to 25 percent the number of acres of highly erodible land required to be placed under contract during each fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the rental payments to be made under section 12330?) on such acres are likely to be significantly lower in the succeeding year. (B) Paragraph (A) shall not affect the requirements of paragraph (5) of subsection (b). (2) The Secretary may include in the program established under this subtitle lands that are not highly erodible lands but that pose an off-farm environmental threat or, if permitted to remain in production, pose a threat of continued degradation of productivity due to soil salinity. (d) Under the program established under this subtitle, the Secretary shall not place under contract more than 25 percent of the cropland in any one county, except that the Secretary may exceed the limitation established by this subsection in a county to the extent that the Secretary determines that such action would not adversely affect the local economy of such county. (e) For the purpose of carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary shall enter into contracts of not less than 10, nor more than 15, years.

Contracts. 16 USC 3831.

Post, p. 1511. Prohibition.

Prohibition.

DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS

SEC. 1232. (a) Under the terms of a contract entered into under Contracts. this subtitle, during the term of such contract, an owner or operator 16 USC 3832. of a farm or ranch must agree— (1) to implement a plan approved by the local conservation district (or in an area not located within a conservation district, a plan approved by the Secretary) for converting highly erodible cropland normally devoted to the production of an agricultural commodity on the farm or ranch to a less intensive use (as defined by the Secretary), such as pasture, permanent grass,

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