long-term land retirement

long-term land retirement Sec. 801. Section 16(e) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended, is amended— (1) By inserting “(A)” after “Sec. 16(e)(1)”. (2) By inserting in the first sentence after “For the purpose of promoting the conservation and economic use of land” the following: “, and of assisting farmers who because of advanced age, poor health, or other reasons, desire to retire from farming but wish to continue living on their farms,”. (3) By inserting in the first sentence after “is authorized to enter into agreements.” the following: “during the calendar years 1971, 1972, and 1973”. (4) By striking out the proviso at the end of paragraph (1) and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Provided, That any agree-84 Stat. 1380ments entered into under this section after July 1, 1970, shall prohibit grazing of such acreage.”. (5) By inserting a new subparagraph (B) at the end of paragraph (1) to read as follows: “(B) Such acreage may be devoted to approved wildlife food plots or fish and wildlife habitat which are established in conformity with standards developed by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of the. Interior, and the Secretary may compensate producers for such practices. The Secretary may also provide for payment in an amount determined by the Secretary to be appropriate in relation to the benefit to the general public if the producer agrees to permit access, without other compensation, to all or such portion of the farm as the Secretary may prescribe by the general public, for hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking, subject to applicable. State and Federal regulations. The Secretary after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior shall appoint an Advisory Board consisting of citizens knowledgeable in the fields of agriculture and wildlife with whom he may consult on the wildlife practice phase, of programs under this subsection, and the Secretary may compensate members of the Board and reimburse them for per diem and traveling expenses. The Secretary shall invite the several States to participate in wildlife phases of programs under this subsection by assisting the Department of Agriculture in developing guidelines for (a) providing technical assistance for wildlife and habitat improvement practices, (b) reviewing applications of farmers for the public land use option and selecting eligible areas based on desirability of wildlife habitat, (c) determining accessibility, (d) evaluating effects on surrounding areas, (e) considering esthetic values, (f) checking compliance by cooperators, and (g) carrying out programs of wildlife stocking and management on the acreage set aside. The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior regarding regulations to govern the administration of those aspects of this subparagraph (B) that pertain to wildlife. Funds are authorized to lie appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for use in assisting the State wildlife agencies to carry out. the provisions of this subparagraph and in administering such assistance.” (6) By adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following: “The foregoing provision shall not prevent a producer from placing a farm in the program if the farm was acquired by the producer to replace an eligible farm from which he was displaced because of its acquisition by any Federal, State, or other agency having the right of eminent domain.” (7) By adding at the end of paragraph (4) the following: “Any agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement, with the producer if the Secretary determines that such termination would be in the public interest.” (8) By adding at the end of paragraph (5) the following: “The Secretary may if he determines that such action will contribute to the effective and equitable administration of the program use an advertising-and-bid procedure in determining the lands in any area to be covered by agreements. The total acreage placed under agreements in any county or local community shall be limited to a percentage. of the total eligible acreage in such county or local community which the Secretary determines would not adversely affect the economy of the county or local community. In determining such percentage the Secretary shall give appropriate consideration to the productivity of the acreage being retired as compared to the average productivity of eligible acreage in the county or local community.” (9) By adding a new paragraph (6) to read as follows: 84 Stat. 1381 “(6) For the purpose of obtaining an increase in the permanent retirement of cropland to noncrop uses the Secretary may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, transfer funds available for carrying out the program to any other Federal agency or to States or local government agencies for use in rural areas in acquiring cropland for the preservation of open spaces, natural beauty, the development of wildlife or recreational facilities or the prevention of air or water pollution under terms and conditions consistent with and at costs not greater than those under agreements entered into with producers, provided the Secretary determines that the purpose of the program will be accomplished by such action. The Secretary also is authorized to share the cost with State and local governmental agencies and other Federal agencies in the establishment of practices or uses which will establish, protect, and conserve open spaces, natural beauty, wildlife or recreational resources, or prevent air or water pollution under terms and conditions and at costs consistent with those under agreements entered into with producers, provided the Secretary determines that the purposes of the program will be accomplished by such action. No appropriation shall be made for any agreement under this paragraph (6) involving an estimated total Federal payment in excess of $250,000 unless such agreement has been approved by resolution adopted by the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry of the Senate.” (10) By striking out the last sentence of paragraph (7) and substituting the following: “In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall not during any of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1971, through June 30, 1973, or during the period June 30, 1973, to December 31, 1973, (A) enter into agreements with producers which would require payments to producers in any calendar year under such agreements in excess of $10,000,000 plus any amount by which agreements entered into in prior fiscal years require payments in amounts less than authorized for such years, or (B) enter into agreements with States or local agencies under paragraph (6) which would require payments to such State or local government agencies in any calendar year under such agreements in excess of $10,000,000 plus any amount, by which agreements entered into in prior fiscal years require payments in amounts less than authorized for such years. For purposes of applying the foregoing limitations, the annual payment shall be chargeable to the year in which performance is rendered regardless of the year in which it is made.” (11) By striking out “June 30, 1963” in paragraph (7) and substituting “June 30, 1972”. (12) By inserting “farming opportunities and” preceding the words “interests of tenants and sharecroppers in paragraph (3)”.