ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

SEC. 1442. ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections: “(d) In making determinations under this title and in conducting appeals from any determination made under this title, the Secretary shall act as expeditiously as possible but shall provide adequate safeguards to protect the interests of the persons involved in such determination. “(e) The Secretary shall maintain data concerning the number and status of appeals pending in excess of 120 days or resolved under this title. “(f) (1) The Secretary shall not enroll more than a total of 25 percent of the cropland in any county into the Environmental Conservation Acreage Reserve Program under chapter 1 and the Environmental Easement Program under chapter 3, and not more than 10 percent of such cropland may be subject to an easement acquired under those chapters. The Secretary may exceed these limitations in a county to the extent that the Secretary determines that— “(A) such action would not adversely affect the local economy of such county; and “(B) producers in such county are having difficulties complying with conservation plans or other environmental requirements. “(2) The limitations established under this subsection shall not apply to cropland that is subject to an easement under chapter 1 or chapter 3 that is used for the establishment of shelterbelts and windbreaks. “(3) In making a determination under this subsection, the Secretary shall not require the written consent of a member of Congress.”.