Environmental Quality Incentives Program, 69272-69293 [2019-26872]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Commodity Credit Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69272-69293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26872]



[[Page 69271]]

Vol. 84

Tuesday,

No. 242

December 17, 2019

Part IV





Department of Agriculture





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Commodity Credit Corporation





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7 CFR Part 1466





Environmental Quality Incentives Program; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 242 / Tuesday, December 17, 2019 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Part 1466

[Docket ID NRCS-2019-0009]
RIN 0578-AA68


Environmental Quality Incentives Program

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Commodity 
Credit Corporation (CCC), United States Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) 
made changes to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 
This interim rule makes conforming changes to EQIP policies and 
procedures in the regulations. NRCS has responsibility for 
administering EQIP using funding, facilities, and authorities of the 
CCC. EQIP helps agricultural producers conserve and enhance soil, 
water, air, plants, animals (including wildlife), energy, and related 
natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include cropland, 
grassland, rangeland, pasture, wetlands, nonindustrial private forest 
land, and other agricultural land on which agricultural or forest-
related products or livestock are produced and natural resource 
concerns may be addressed. Participation in the program is voluntary.

DATES: 
    Effective: December 17, 2019.
    Comment date: Submit comments on or before February 17, 2020.
    Comment date for Environmental Review: Submit comments on the draft 
Environmental Analysis (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) on or before 16, 2020.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this document. In your 
comments, include the date, volume, and page number of this issue of 
the Federal Register, and the title of this document. You may submit 
comments by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRCS-2019-0009. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    All written comments received will be publicly available on 
www.regulations.gov.
    A copy of the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) may be obtained from either of the following 
websites: www.regulations.gov or https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=nrcseprd1504015. A hard 
copy may also be requested in one of the following ways:
     Via mail: [email protected] with ``Request for EA'' in 
the subject line; or
     A written request: Karen Fullen, Environmental Compliance 
Specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 9173 W Barnes Dr., 
Suite C, Boise, ID 83709.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Hopwood; phone: (202) 720-0675; 
or email: [email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require 
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) has 
reauthorized and amended EQIP. EQIP is implemented under the general 
supervision and direction of the Chief of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS).
    The information below demonstrates how NRCS provides technical and 
financial assistance to producers through EQIP to--
     Change tillage practices to enhance soil resources by 
sustaining tilth, moisture control, nutrients, and overall soil health;
     Replace or improve the management of irrigation systems to 
conserve scarce water resources. EQIP is also used to manage nutrient 
applications to protect water quality;
     Manage grazing to sustain plant biodiversity and protect 
rare species and to assure adequate forage is available, thus helping 
to maintain watershed heath and enhance water quality;
     Apply energy efficient practices that reduce energy 
consumption (e.g., reduced tillage conserves fuel, energy efficient 
lighting);
     Implement conservation practices that sequester carbon or 
capture methane emissions and greenhouse gases which contribute to 
climate change;
     Implement conservation practices specific to producers' 
resource needs, from over 160 available conservation practices, to 
sustain and improve the health of natural resources on the land and 
provide public benefits;
     Implement conservation practices in a manner that promotes 
agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality 
as compatible goals;
     Optimize conservation benefits; and
     Help agricultural producers meet Federal, State, and local 
environmental requirements.
    Conservation benefits are reflected in the differences between 
effects of treatment in comparison to existing or benchmark conditions. 
Differences may be expressed by reduced nutrients, improved water 
quality, and reduced soil erosion based upon scientific, quantitative, 
visual, or other means. NRCS assesses resource conditions through 
scientifically developed assessment tools and guides that may use 
client input, planner observation, procedural and deductive methods, 
and predictive methods. These assessment tools and guides include, but 
are not limited to, soil erosion prediction tools, wildlife habitat 
assessment tools, rangeland health assessments, and soil health 
assessments.
    Estimated or projected impacts are used as a basis for applicants 
to make informed conservation decisions and to help NRCS determine 
which projects to approve for EQIP assistance.
    EQIP was first authorized in 1996, with an initial allocation of 
$130 million. Since then, through fiscal year (FY) 2018, NRCS has 
entered into hundreds of thousands of contracts and provided over $15 
billion in financial assistance to help agricultural producers apply 
conservation practices. The agency has evaluated 22 years of program 
implementation and has assessed opportunities to improve program 
administration. The changes in this rule are the results of this 
evaluation and the statutory changes authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
    NRCS uses a competitive process to achieve the greatest 
conservation benefits in coordination with EQIP statutory priorities. 
NRCS establishes National, State, and local priorities and uses 
scientifically-based ranking tools to assess and rank applications, 
against these priorities to determine which applications are to be 
funded. NRCS in the National Office establishes national priorities, 
and States must incorporate these national priorities along with State 
and local priorities into the ranking tool used at the State level. 
These priorities are established with recommendations by State 
technical committees, priorities identified in State, regional, or 
national plans and initiatives, and from reports of at-risk wildlife 
species and designations of threatened or endangered species. NRCS also 
utilizes funding pools to target EQIP funding to priority resource 
concerns, such as for the development of wildlife habitat or

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for water quality issues associated with animal feeding operations.
    Each application submitted for consideration in a given funding 
pool is ranked using scientifically-based assessment evaluation 
criteria and tools which provide a relative score that reflects the 
expected conservation benefit of the proposed project. State 
Conservationists have the authority to prioritize applications for 
ranking, which results in only the highest priority applications being 
ranked and considered for funding. Applications are accepted from 
producers on a continuous basis; however, NRCS announces funding cutoff 
deadlines where all ranked applications within a funding pool are 
considered for funding based upon the ranking scores and availability 
of funds. Nearly all funding pools are established each fiscal year to 
ensure environmentally and economically effective distribution of 
funding through a process of fair and open competition that addresses 
priority resource concerns.
    Each fiscal year, State Conservationists:
     Publish program priorities;
     Allocate available funds to State funding pools;
     Publish associated ranking criteria to State program 
websites available at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/sitenav/national/states/; and
     Allocate funds to each application pool and adjust funding 
between pools to address shortages or to redistribute surplus funds, if 
needed. Statutory allocation levels, such as the requirement to provide 
at least 50 percent of the funding for livestock and 10 percent of the 
funding for wildlife, are met as national goals through funding pool 
opportunities established by State Conservationists.
    The statutory changes made by the 2018 Farm Bill include, but are 
not limited to--
     Expanding the EQIP purpose to include new or expected 
resource concerns, adapting to, and mitigating against, increasing 
weather volatility, and addressing drought resiliency measures;
     Changing advance payments from ``not more than'' to ``at 
least 50 percent'' of all costs related to purchasing materials or 
contracting with a requirement for producers to be notified at the time 
of enrollment of the advance payment option with respect to each 
practice that has such costs, and that the producer's decision be 
documented;
     Adding a new provision for increased payments for high-
priority practices, which provides the State Conservationist the option 
to designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments, 
not to exceed 90 percent of the costs associated with planning, design, 
materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or 
training;
     Decreasing the livestock funding minimum from 60 percent 
to 50 percent for FY 2019 through 2023;
     Increasing the wildlife funding minimum from 5 percent to 
10 percent for FY 2019 through 2023;
     Providing a maximum term of 10 years for contracts entered 
into solely for the establishment of wildlife management practices;
     Authorizing certain entities (including a State, 
irrigation district, groundwater management district, acequia, land-
grant mercedes, or similar entity) which are not producers to be 
eligible to enter into an EQIP contract for implementation of water 
conservation or irrigation efficiency practices, and, authorizing the 
Secretary of Agriculture to waive the adjusted gross income (AGI) and 
EQIP payment limitations for those contracts. If a waiver is 
authorized, the Secretary may establish a separate payment limitation 
for the contract to which the waiver applies;
     Introducing new EQIP Incentive Contracts, which can 
address up to three priority resource concerns for each of the relevant 
land uses within State-identified watersheds or other areas of high 
priority;
     Encouraging streamlined and coordinated procedures between 
EQIP and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), including 
applications, contracting, conservation planning, conservation 
practices, and related administrative procedures;
     Authorizing funding for EQIP at:

[cir] $1,750 million for FY 2019
[cir] $1,750 million for FY 2020
[cir] $1,800 million for FY 2021
[cir] $1,850 million for FY 2022
[cir] $2,025 million for FY 2023

USDA Farm Bill Listening Session

    The Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area hosted a 
listening session on February 26, 2019, to obtain initial input on 2018 
Farm Bill implementation. USDA sought public input regarding changes to 
programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management 
Agency (RMA), and NRCS. NRCS considered stakeholder input when making 
discretionary decisions regarding program implementation. In addition 
to encouraging oral testimony, FPAC also encouraged submission of 
written comments and the comments received have been made available on 
https://www.regulations.gov.
    NRCS received 35 comments regarding the need to evaluate the impact 
of water conservation and irrigation efficiency projects on grasslands, 
fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, and ground water recharge. Some 
comments recommended the prioritization of projects that improve 
agricultural water delivery, limit the expansion of irrigated land, and 
ensure more water conservation. Others pushed for watershed-wide 
projects, oversight mechanisms to track fund spending and outcomes, and 
implementation of an effective project rating system. A few requested 
additional funding for Western producers who are facing water 
challenges.
    NRCS received 26 comments that underscored the importance of State 
wildlife funding pools to ensure that EQIP funds are used for species 
and habitats identified as priorities in State, regional, and national 
wildlife plans. Some recommended the immediate implementation of the 
10-percent-funding increase and using the funds to consider wildlife 
coexistence practices. Others advocated longer-term contracts, 
additional wildlife-specific technical assistance, landscape-scale 
project areas, and fund oversight tools, such as public annual reports.
    NRCS received 11 comments on wildlife habitat contracts. The 
comments pushed for prioritizing longer-term wildlife contracts and 
ensuring that these contracts only fund practices designed to deliver 
wildlife habitat benefits. Others recommended working with third 
parties, such as nongovernmental organizations, to coordinate projects 
and promote short-term contracts to enhance program outcomes.
    NRCS received 16 comments related to administration and program 
delivery. Many recommended streamlining the program application 
process, providing additional guidance and information on high priority 
resource concerns, rankings, and practices, and ensuring fair access 
for most producers to EQIP funds (i.e., property of producers with 
heirs, Indian Tribes). Other comments urged stricter enforcement of 
EQIP statutory requirements, use of EQIP funds for oyster restoration, 
and prioritization of contracts that implement nutrient management and 
improve habitat and water resources.
    Additionally, support for wildlife habitat projects received the 
majority of the comments related to the new conservation incentive 
contracts. NRCS received 11 comments supporting the identification of 
wildlife habitat as a

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priority resource concern and prioritizing practices related to grazing 
management and those that can deliver considerable environmental 
benefits. Others recommended mechanisms to coordinate resource concerns 
and to determine incentive practice eligibility and proper payment 
options.
    NRCS received 11 comments that advocated for outreach and education 
for organic producers regarding the new EQIP payments for organic 
initiatives. Some recommended the development of a funding allocation 
similar to CSP and the consideration of existing organic management 
plans. Other comments emphasized additional payments during the 
transition period (from traditional to organic), helpful tools and 
resources showing how EQIP practices support organic agriculture, and 
strong support for smaller organic projects.
    NRCS received nine comments mostly supporting the Soil Health 
Demonstration Trial for EQIP projects. Others called for better soil 
health planning standards, utilization of existing resources (i.e., 
Soil Health Partnership and the Operational Tillage Information 
System), and evaluation tools to determine project rating, economic 
outcomes, and public benefits.
    NRCS received seven comments focusing on increased payments for 
high-priority practices. Most comments underlined the inclusion of 
practices that address the goals of State wildlife action plans and 
other State and local plans involving watershed rehabilitation and 
drought management. Others recommended careful implementation of the 
increased payment provision to ensure adequate funding for other EQIP 
contracts.
    NRCS received three comments that recommend ending funding support 
for the expansion of large livestock operations, and instead, focusing 
on grazing systems and practices that can benefit wildlife and water 
quality.
    NRCS received three comments pushing for broader producer outreach 
and immediate implementation of the EQIP advanced payment option. These 
comments emphasized that outreach needs to include beginning, veteran, 
and socially disadvantaged producers.
    Finally, NRCS received a comment that recommended using the new 
EQIP provision on precision conservation and agriculture for practice 
installment and annual payments.
    NRCS evaluated the changes made by the 2018 Farm Bill and the 
comments received during the listening session and is hereby 
promulgating this interim rule to incorporate the 2018 Farm Bill 
changes to EQIP program administration. The interim rule adjusts the 
program regulations to correspond to new statutory language. It also 
includes changes to streamline program implementation and make the 
participant's contract responsibilities clearer and more transparent. 
NRCS is also removing definitions for terms that are not used in the 
regulation and making other editorial adjustments to improve 
readability.

Summary of Key Changes to EQIP Regulations

    The regulation has long been organized into three subparts: (1) 
Subpart A--General Provisions, (2) Subpart B--Contracts, and (3) 
Subpart C--General Administration. To improve the readability and 
clarity of the regulations, NRCS has moved the provisions in Sec.  
1466.27, the section addressing administration of the Conservation 
Innovation Grants (CIG), to subpart C, and moved the sections related 
to General Administration to a new subpart E, with redesignation of 
sections appropriate to such a change. To incorporate regulations 
necessary to implement the new Incentive Contracts under EQIP, NRCS has 
added a new subpart D. Below is a summary of the changes made to each 
subpart based on the changes made to EQIP by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Changes to Sections in Subpart A--General Provisions

Sec.  1466.1 Applicability
    Section 1466.1 sets forth the purpose, scope, and objectives of 
EQIP. Pursuant to changes made by Sec.  2302 of the 2018 Farm Bill, the 
interim rule updates Sec.  1466.1 to reiterate the updated statutory 
language. The interim rule also changes the effective date of this 
section to acknowledge that each EQIP contract is subject to the 
regulations that are in effect at the time the EQIP contract is 
enrolled. EQIP's fundamental purpose--assisting agricultural producers 
with implementing conservation practices to provide environmental 
benefits and to comply with or avoid environmental regulation--has been 
broadened to add specifically addressing new or expected resource 
concerns, adapting to and mitigating against increasing weather 
volatility, and drought resiliency measures.
Sec.  1466.2 Administration
    Section 1466.2 describes the roles of NRCS, State technical 
committees, and local working groups. The 2018 Farm Bill amends how 
EQIP interacts with the Regional Conservation Partnership Program 
(RCPP) authorized by Subtitle I of Title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (known as the 1985 Farm Bill). The 2014 Farm Bill identified 
EQIP as a covered program under RCPP and authorized the Chief to waive 
nonstatutory, discretionary provisions and operational procedures under 
EQIP contracts where EQIP was being implemented through RCPP. However, 
since the 2018 Farm Bill no longer requires that RCPP be implemented 
through EQIP or the other covered programs, NRCS removed the regulatory 
language to this section that addressed EQIP implementation under RCPP. 
NRCS retains the authority for the Chief to waive nonstatutory, 
discretionary provisions where the application of that provision to a 
particular limited situation to be inappropriate and inconsistent with 
the purposes of the program.
Sec.  1466.3 Definitions
    Section 1466.3 sets forth definitions for terms used throughout 
this regulation. NRCS is amending several definitions to conform to the 
2018 Farm Bill amendments and to address other administrative matters. 
Specifically, this interim rule amends Sec.  1466.3 by adding or 
modifying the following definitions:
     Animal feeding operation (AFO);
     Eligible land;
     Estimated income foregone;
     Forest management plan;
     High priority area;
     Incentive practice;
     Priority resource concern;
     Semi-public;
     Soil remediation;
     Soil testing; and
     Water management entity.
    Given the overlap between the definition for the term ``eligible 
lands'' and ``agricultural lands,'' NRCS has removed the definition for 
``agricultural lands'' to reduce confusion.
Sec.  1466.4 National Priorities
    Section 1466.4 establishes a list of priorities, consistent with 
the statute, that describes the types of resource concerns that NRCS 
has determined to be the greatest opportunity for natural resource 
conservation. In addition, it allows for change and adaptation to this 
listing as new information comes to light. The 2018 Farm Bill added 
``increased weather volatility'' as a specific resource concern, and 
this rulemaking incorporates that change. NRCS made other minor 
editorial changes to improve style and clarity.
Sec.  1466.5 Outreach Activities
    Section 1466.5 generally establishes the basis for NRCS to market 
EQIP's resource conservation benefits and its

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subcomponents to producers so that they are aware of the program's 
potential to assist them with resource concerns on their operations. 
This section contains special outreach authorization for historically 
underserved producers. In addition to several minor stylistic edits to 
improve clarity, this rulemaking has added a paragraph specifically 
including messaging related to advance payments and subsequent election 
as examples of special outreach.
    To help producers understand conservation opportunities, the 2018 
Farm Bill requires that NRCS establish and maintain a publicly 
available conservation practice database that provides a compilation 
and analysis of effective conservation practices and a list of 
recommended new and effective conservation practices. The 2018 Farm 
Bill also requires the Secretary to identify available data sets within 
the Department of Agriculture regarding the use of conservation 
practices and the effect of such practices on farm and ranch 
profitability (including such effects relating to crop yields, soil 
health, and other risk-related factors). NRCS considers estimated 
economic impact in its conservation planning process, including in the 
development of conservation practice standards. Since producers must 
consider the potential estimated economic impact to their particular 
operation when choosing whether to voluntarily adopt conservation 
practices through EQIP, NRCS is taking this opportunity to request 
public comment on how NRCS can best assist producers to understand the 
potential estimated economic impact of conservation practice adoption 
to inform their program decisions.
Sec.  1466.6 Program Requirements
    Section 1466.6 lays out the general scope of what EQIP is and does. 
It sets forth criteria for applicant eligibility, including that the 
applicant must have control of the land on which EQIP practices are to 
be implemented. The 2018 Farm Bill also expanded eligibility regarding 
with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract. In particular, NRCS may 
enter into EQIP contracts with a State, irrigation district, 
groundwater management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar 
entity under a streamlined contracting process to implement water 
conservation or irrigation practices under a watershed-wide project 
that will effectively conserve water, provide fish and wildlife 
habitat, or provide for drought-related environmental mitigation, as 
determined by the Secretary. NRCS has defined these entities as ``water 
management entities.''
    NRCS added provisions related to entering contracts with water 
management entities to implement water conservation or irrigation 
practices in certain circumstances.
    NRCS introduced criteria for approving waivers and applying a 
different payment limitation to ensure the focus of EQIP assistance 
remains on practices that directly benefit producers with resource 
concerns on their operations. Additionally, the criteria help specify 
how this provision will be implemented, especially since water 
management entities can apply to RCPP as an eligible partner for 
irrigation-related infrastructure projects and that these types of 
projects are also eligible for assistance under the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act.
    Therefore, NRCS incorporated into this interim rule criteria for 
approving payment and AGI waivers, including the number of producers 
benefitted, whether the project is in conjunction with EQIP assistance 
being provided to identified producers who require the project in order 
for the overall project to be successful, and the establishment of a 
new payment limitation that ensures that such contracts address more 
site-specific concerns rather than systemic upgrade requirements. More 
particularly, NRCS has decided to limit these projects by authorizing a 
new payment limitation for contracts entered into by these specific 
entities at $900,000 between FY 2019 through FY 2023 if the projects 
qualify for a payment and AGI waiver. This new payment limitation for 
these entity-irrigation contracts is twice the payment limitation 
established for payments under contracts to individual producers.
    Since the interim rule authorizes a waiver of the aggregate payment 
limitation for contracts with water management entities under this 
section, NRCS specifically requests comments on how this waiver should 
operate and whether the $900,000 payment limitation has been 
established at an appropriate level. NRCS believes that this new 
authority to enter into an EQIP contract directly with water management 
entities should not conflict or compete with other NRCS assistance 
opportunities. Additionally, related to identifying the situations 
where NRCS should provide assistance to these projects, NRCS 
specifically requests public comment about whether additional 
parameters are needed for identifying ``adjacent lands'' eligible for 
such projects.
    Other changes were made to improve style and clarity.
Sec.  1466.7 EQIP Plan of Operations
    This section describes the requirements of the EQIP plan of 
operations, which is a component of the EQIP contract. Section 
1240E(a)(3) as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill inserted the term 
``progressive'' to describe the implementation of a comprehensive 
nutrient management plan (CNMP). Therefore, NRCS amends the regulatory 
provisions to remove the requirement that a participant must have 
implemented a developed CNMP by the end of the contract but requires 
that any conservation practices in the EQIP plan of operation must be 
implemented consistent with a CNMP. Language regarding irrigation-
related practices and water conservation was also slightly modified for 
clarity.
Sec.  1466.8 Conservation Practices
    This section describes how NRCS determines eligible conservation 
practices. NRCS made several minor edits for clarity.
Sec.  1466.9 Technical Services Provided by Qualified Personnel Not 
Affiliated With USDA
    This section describes the use of technical services providers 
(TSPs). NRCS incorporates use of the TSP acronym to this section.

Changes to Sections in Subpart B--Contracts

Sec.  1466.20 Application for Contracts and Selecting Applications
    This section addresses how producer applications are submitted and 
selected for funding. NRCS makes several minor edits for clarity.
Sec.  1466.21 Contract Requirements
    This section identifies elements contained within an EQIP contract 
and the responsibilities of the participant who is party to the EQIP 
contract. Also, it addresses EQIP contract funding limitations. To 
receive payment, an applicant must enter into an EQIP contract. The 
EQIP contract identifies all financially supported conservation 
practices to be implemented, their timing and sequence, and the 
operation and maintenance needed to maintain the conservation practice 
for its intended lifespan. NRCS amends CNMP language to include 
``progressive'' implementation by removing the requirement that the 
CNMP must be implemented by the end of the contract and clarifies the 
timeline parameters for EQIP contract implementation and the 
consequences for not complying with those parameters. NRCS also 
incorporates language to waive the

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$450,000 contract limitation and establish a $900,000 contract 
limitation for certain projects with joint operations, group projects, 
or contracts where NRCS has waived the payment limitation for a water 
management entity. NRCS also included language to specify that NRCS may 
decline an application for water conservation and irrigation efficiency 
projects with water management entities if that project would be better 
suited with another NRCS program.
Sec.  1466.22 Conservation Practice Operation and Maintenance (O&M)
    This section addresses the participant's responsibility for 
conservation practice O&M. NRCS makes only slight grammatical 
corrections.
Sec.  1466.23 Payment Rates
    This section addresses payment rates and payment eligibility. 
Section 1240B as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill authorized increased 
payment rates for certain high-priority practices. The 2018 Farm Bill 
also authorized increased payment rates for practices that address 
source water protection. NRCS incorporates these changes by adding a 
new paragraph authorizing such increased payments.
    The 2018 Farm Bill revised section 1240B(d)(7) of the 1985 Farm 
Bill to authorize States to designate high priority practices that will 
be eligible for higher payment rates, subject to approval from the 
Secretary. NRCS at the State level will provide notice of the high 
priority practices for which a higher payment rate is available based 
on the criteria identified in section 1240B(d)(7).
Sec.  1466.24 EQIP Payments
    This section provides direction on payment eligibility and payment 
limitations. Due to the change to Sec.  1466.1 noted above, the 
language regarding date of contract was removed. As stated, any changes 
made to this section only affect future contracts. Removal of that 
language reduces wordiness and improves clarity. NRCS updated the 
payment limitations for organic production from annual limits to an 
aggregate limit from FY 2019 through FY 2023. NRCS modified the 
regulatory levels allowed for advance payments to account for changes 
made in Section 1240B(d)(4)(B) of the 1985 Farm Bill. NRCS made other 
organizational and editorial adjustments that did not affect the 
substance of the provisions.
Sec.  1466.25 Contract Modifications and Transfers of Contract Rights
    This section sets forth the procedures for when and how an EQIP 
contract can be modified and sets out the process and consequences of a 
transfer of land during the term of an EQIP contract. NRCS made several 
stylistic and organizational changes to improve clarity. NRCS added a 
paragraph to clarify how NRCS will treat the implementation of 
conservation practices during any period in which a parcel has been 
transferred, but contract transfer has not yet been approved. These 
changes align EQIP transfer provisions more closely with similar CSP 
provisions.
Sec.  1466.26 Contract Violations and Terminations
    This section sets forth the policies and procedures for contract 
termination when the participant violates the terms of an EQIP 
contract. NRCS clarified that certain violations may place a 
participant into suspension or debarment. NRCS will follow suspension 
and debarment requirements at 7 CFR part 1407, including providing any 
such participant due process prior to suspending or debarring the 
participant from future eligibility.

Changes to Sections in Subpart C--Conservation Innovation

    Subpart C is revised by moving its provisions to a new subpart E 
and incorporating provisions addressing the Conservation Innovation 
Grants (CIG) administration at Sec.  1466.27 as new sections under 
subpart C.
    In addition to organizing the CIG provisions into several sections, 
this subpart addresses administration of the On-farm Conservation 
Innovation Trials (OFCIT), which includes the Soil Health Demonstration 
(SHD) Trial.
    The CIG section (formerly 1466.27) has been reorganized into the 
following six sections, as set forth below.
Sec.  1466.30 Definitions
    This section, the former Sec.  1466.27(a), sets forth the 
definitions of terms to be used consistently throughout this subpart. 
The term ``EQIP eligible'' was removed from the definitions section as 
the term was not used anywhere else in the regulation.
Sec.  1466.31 Purpose and Scope
    This section, the former Sec.  1466.27(b), sets out the broad 
policy objectives and criteria for implementing CIG and its related 
components. NRCS has modified references to the use of online methods 
to award grants to clarify that there may be multiple competitions each 
fiscal year. NRCS made various changes to improve the section's 
structure and style without affecting its substance.
Sec.  1466.32 Conservation Innovation Grant Funding
    This section, the former Sec.  1466.27(c), sets out how CIG is 
funded and what payment limitations may apply. The set-aside of up to 
10 percent of total CIG funds for historically underserved or veteran 
farmers or ranchers or community-based organizations has been moved 
here. NRCS incorporated other edits to improve clarity.
Sec.  1466.33 Conservation Innovation Grant Administration
    This section, the former Sec.  1466.27(d) through (f), provides the 
framework for how NRCS administers CIG, including policies and 
procedures related to awarding CIG grants. Paragraph (a) of this 
section now identifies that applications should address national or 
State program priorities as published by NRCS. Paragraph (b) of this 
section clarifies that any individual or non-federal entity may be 
eligible for a CIG payment, provided that the payment either directly 
or indirectly benefits a producer who is eligible for EQIP 
participation. NRCS adds a paragraph (c) to identify that NRCS will 
publish annually detailed guidance on how to apply for the grants 
competitions to address announced national or State program priorities.
Sec.  1466.34 Award Determinations
    This section, the former Sec.  1466.27(g), explains the criteria 
that NRCS will consider when determining award grantees and award 
amounts. NRCS made minor changes to the style and structure of the 
language to set out each step in the awards determination process.
Sec.  1466.35 State-Level Conservation Innovation Grant Component
    This section, the former Sec.  1466.27(h), details the use of 
State-level use and distribution of CIG resources. Paragraph (d) 
clarifies that each State may elect to focus on priority resource 
concerns for that State.
Sec.  1466.36 Intellectual Property
    This section, formerly Sec.  1466.27(i), establishes guidelines for 
intellectual property rights for any newly patented technology 
developed under this subpart. NRCS has made minor edits to improve 
readability.

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Sec.  1466.37 On-farm Conservation Innovation Trials (OFCIT)
    This section implements and develops OFCIT to test new and 
innovative approaches to conservation.
Sec.  1466.38 Soil Health Demonstration (SHD) Trial
    This section of focus for OFCIT addresses the ability of soil 
health strategies to capture and retain carbon.

Sections in new Subpart D--Incentive Contracts

    Subpart D is a new subpart and addresses the new enrollment option, 
EQIP incentive contracts, as created by section 2304 of the 2018 Farm 
Bill. This new subpart has the following sections:
Sec.  1466.40 High Priority Areas
    This section sets out the process and requirements for high 
priority areas within each State that form the backdrop for the new 
incentive contracts.
Sec.  1466.41 Incentive Contract Selection
    This section specifies how the incentive contract process will 
deviate from the standard EQIP contract selection process. In 
particular, NRCS will identify which practices qualify as incentive 
practices for each land use within each high priority area based on the 
priority resource concern(s) identified for that land use. Thus, there 
is no standard list of practices that will universally apply. It will 
depend on future determinations by State Conservationist with input 
from the State Technical Committees as to what the high priority areas 
are and what the (up to) three priority resource concerns are for each 
land use within each high priority area. NRCS does maintain a database 
of practices that apply to resource concerns within each land use, but 
which of those practices will be high priority will vary based on 
determinations within each State.
Sec.  1466.42 Incentive Contract Requirements
    This section lists all the terms and conditions that are required 
components of an incentive contract. Many of these terms and conditions 
are similar to those terms and conditions included in a standard EQIP 
contract; the most notable distinctions are differences to the contract 
period and payment rates, which are covered in separate sections below.
Sec.  1466.43 Incentive Contract Period
    This section highlights the criteria for setting the term for an 
incentive contract. Incentive contracts will be for a period from 5 to 
10 years.
Sec.  1466.44 Incentive Payment Rates and Restrictions
    This section sets the parameters for incentive payments. In 
addition to the payment for practice implementation, which is similar 
to the standard EQIP implementation payment, incentive contracts offer 
annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as 
income foregone. NRCS also established in this interim rule an 
aggregate payment limitation of $200,000 for a person or legal entity 
to conform incentive contract implementation to contracts entered into 
under the CSP, thus ensuring that the new enrollment option supports a 
participant's ability to transition to CSP eligibility.

New Subpart E--General Administration

    Subpart E of the EQIP regulation was formerly subpart C, and it 
addresses a participant's responsibility to comply with regulatory 
measures, to provide NRCS access to lands enrolled in the program for 
compliance monitoring during the term of the contract, and other 
general program matters. The 2018 Farm Bill changes do not impact the 
regulatory provisions at subpart E.

Effective Date, Notice and Comment, and Paperwork Reduction Act

    In general, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA, 5 U.S.C. 553) 
requires that a notice of proposed rulemaking be published in the 
Federal Register and interested persons be given an opportunity to 
participate in the rulemaking through submission of written data, 
views, or arguments with or without opportunity for oral presentation, 
except when the rule involves a matter relating to public property, 
loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. This rule involves matters 
relating to benefits and therefore is exempt from the APA requirements. 
Further, the regulations to implement the programs of chapter 58 of 
title 16 of the U.S. Code, as specified in 16 U.S.C. 3846, and the 
administration of those programs, are:
     To be made as an interim rule effective on publication, 
with an opportunity for notice and comment,
     Exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. ch. 
35), and
     To use the authority under 5 U.S.C. 808 related to 
Congressional review and any potential delay in the effective date.
    For major rules, the Congressional Review Act requires a delay in 
the effect date of 60-days after publication to allow for Congressional 
Review. This rule is major under the Congressional Review Act, as 
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). The authority in 5 U.S.C. 808 provides that 
when an agency finds for good cause that notice and public procedure 
are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, 
that the rule may take effect at such time as the agency determines. 
Due to the nature of the rule, the mandatory requirements of the 2018 
Farm Bill, and the need to implement the regulations expeditiously to 
provide assistance to producers, NRCS and CCC find that notice and 
public procedure are contrary to the public interest. Therefore, even 
though this rule is a major rule for purposes of the Congressional 
Review Act of 1996, NRCS and CCC are not required to delay the 
effective date for 60 days from the date of publication to allow for 
Congressional review. Therefore, this rule is effective on the date of 
publication in the Federal Register.
    NRCS invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking 
by submitting written comments or views about the changes made by this 
interim rule. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of 
the regulation, explain the reason for any recommended changes, and 
include supporting data and references to relevant section of either 
the 2018 Farm Bill or the 1985 Farm Bill. All comments received on or 
before the closing date for comments will be considered. NRCS will 
review and respond to the public comments in the EQIP final rule.

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, 13771, and 13777

    Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 
Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' 
direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available 
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select 
regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive 
impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasized the importance 
of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of 
harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. Executive Order 13777, 
``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' established a federal 
policy to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens on the American 
people.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designated this rule as 
economically significant under

[[Page 69278]]

Executive Order 13563, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 
therefore, OMB has reviewed this rule. The costs and benefits of this 
rule are summarized below. The full cost benefit analysis is available 
on https://www.regulations.gov/.
    Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs,'' requires that in order to manage the private costs 
required to comply with federal regulations for every new significant 
or economically significant regulation issued, the new costs must be 
offset by the elimination of at least two prior regulations. OMB 
guidance in M-17-21, dated April 5, 2017, specifies that ``transfer 
rules'' are not covered by Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation 
and Controlling Regulatory Costs.'' Transfer rules are Federal spending 
regulatory actions that cause only income transfers between taxpayers 
and program beneficiaries. Therefore, this is considered a transfer 
rule and is not covered by Executive Order 13771.

Cost Benefit Analysis

    The 2018 Farm Bill makes several changes to EQIP. The changes 
include:
     Making a State, irrigation district, groundwater 
management district, acequia, land grant-mercedes, or similar entity 
eligible for EQIP payments,
     Requiring targeting of at least 10 percent of EQIP funds 
to wildlife conservation practices,
     Reducing EQIP funds targeted for livestock to 50 percent, 
and
     Creating various incentives to address resource concerns 
in identified watersheds and other high priority areas.
    Most of this rule's impacts consist of transfer payments to 
producers for completed conservation practices under EQIP contracts. 
The 2018 Farm Bill increases EQIP funding over 2014 Farm Bill funding 
by 22 percent on an annualized basis to $1.84 billion per year. From 
FY2014-2018, EQIP was authorized at $8.0 billion, but annual funding 
restrictions resulted in actual authority being $7.51 billion, for an 
annualized amount of $1.50 billion. In contrast, the authorized level 
for EQIP for FY2019-2023 is $9.18 billion \1\ (assuming future funding 
caps are set at authorized amounts). Additionally, EQIP funds remain 
available until expended, meaning that any unobligated balance at the 
end of a fiscal year is available for obligation in the subsequent 
year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Includes the $1.75 billion authorized level in the 2018 Farm 
Bill for FY 2019 even though the amount was reduced by the sequester 
and other transfers to $1.61 billion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Conservation practices funded through EQIP will continue to:
     Contribute to improvements in soil health and reductions 
in water and wind erosion on cropland, pasture and rangeland;
     Reduce nutrient losses to streams, rivers, lakes and 
estuaries;
     Increase wildlife habitat; and
     Provide other environmental benefits.
    Further, continued implementation of practices that treat and 
manage animal waste through EQIP will directly contribute to 
improvements in water quality and associated improvements in air 
quality (such as from reduction in methane emissions or reduced risk of 
algal blooms). NRCS estimates that the cost,\2\ from both public and 
private sources, of implementing EQIP conservation practices will be 
$13,640.2 million dollars (FY2019-2023), assuming a historical average 
participant cost of 40 percent and a technical assistance share of 27 
percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Public costs include total technical assistance and 
financial assistance funds. Private costs are out-of-pocket costs 
paid voluntarily by participants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Changes in funding levels for EQIP livestock and wildlife practices 
will alter to a minor extent the types of conservation practices that 
are funded. From FY 2014-2018, wildlife practices accounted for 7.6 
percent of EQIP funds through wildlife and landscape initiatives and 16 
designated wildlife conservation practices. The remaining 2.4 percent 
increase in funding to wildlife needed to meet the new 10 percent level 
will likely occur through greater support for existing wildlife 
initiatives and potentially target additional wildlife habitat 
development efforts through new initiatives. With respect to livestock, 
over 60 percent of EQIP funds went to livestock-related practices 
during FY 2014 through 2018, but the 2018 Farm Bill reduced the target 
to 50 percent for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. With greater 
EQIP funding overall, the amount of funding being provided for the 
implementation of livestock conservation practices should not change 
significantly.
    To address increasing demands on the nation's water supply, the 
2018 Farm Bill expands EQIP eligibility to water management entities 
like irrigation districts, ground water management districts, and 
acequias, along with providing the Secretary with the authority to 
waive adjusted gross income, contract, and payment limits to encourage 
continued efforts in agricultural water conservation. In some states, 
particularly in the West, these water management entities may increase 
competition for funding and enhance conservation benefits per dollar 
spent. The impacts, however, on the allocation of EQIP funding will be 
limited. The 2018 Farm Bill directs NRCS to maintain current funding 
allocations to states, limiting the impact nationally. Also, NRCS 
proposes in this rule establishing a payment limit of $900,000 on all 
contracts with water management entities.
    The 2018 Farm Bill establishes incentive contracts to address up to 
three priority resource concerns for a given watershed, or other 
region, or area. Contracts will range from a minimum of 5 up to 10 
years in length and provide an annual payment and an incentive practice 
payment. The impact of these new incentive contracts is uncertain, 
particularly regarding benefits per dollar. Overall, given the current 
demand for regular enrollment in EQIP, and the currently uncertain 
impacts that incentive contracts will have, the aggregate benefits from 
these new incentive contracts may be limited.
    Increasing the payment limit for participants in the organic 
initiative to $140,000 over the period FY 2019 through 2023, will 
likely have little impact on EQIP program performance. This is because 
existing organic initiative contracts are usually well below the multi-
year payment limit of $80,000 previously set by 2014 Farm Bill. 
Currently, organic participants who exceed the organic initiative 
payment limit use other EQIP funding mechanisms. With the increase in 
the organic initiative limit to $140,000, more organic applicants will 
be able to make use of the organic initiative and consequently need 
only compete with other organic operations for funding.

Clarity of the Regulation

    Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, 
requires each agency to write all rules in plain language. In addition 
to your substantive comments on this rule, we invite your comments on 
how to make the rule easier to understand. For example:
     Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? Are the 
scope and intent of the rule clear?
     Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that is 
not clear?
     Is the material logically organized?
     Would changing the grouping or order of sections or adding 
headings make the rule easier to understand?
     Could we improve clarity by adding tables, lists, or 
diagrams?

[[Page 69279]]

     Would more, but shorter, sections be better? Are there 
specific sections that are too long or confusing?
     What else could we do to make the rule easier to 
understand?

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA), generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory analysis 
of any rule whenever an agency is required by APA or any other law to 
publish a proposed rule, unless the agency certifies that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
because no law requires that a proposed rule be published for this 
rulemaking initiative. Despite the Regulatory Flexibility Act not 
applying to this rule, the action only affects those entities who 
voluntarily participate in EQIP and in doing so receive its benefits. 
Compliance with the provisions of EQIP regulations is only required for 
those entities who choose to participate in this voluntary program.

Environmental Analysis

    The environmental impacts of this rule have been considered in a 
manner consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the regulations of the Council 
on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the NRCS 
regulations for compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part 650). The 2018 Farm 
Bill requires minor changes to NRCS conservation programs, and there 
are no changes to the basic structure of the programs. The analysis has 
determined there will not be a significant impact to the human 
environment and as a result, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is 
not required to be prepared (40 CFR 1508.13). While OMB has designated 
this rule as ``economically significant'' under Executive Order 12866, 
``. . . economic or social effects are not intended by themselves to 
require preparation of an environmental impact statement'' (40 CFR 
1508.14), when not interrelated to natural or physical environmental 
effects. The Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) are available for review and comment for 30 
days from the date of publication of this interim rule in the Federal 
Register. NRCS will consider this input and determine whether there is 
any new information provided that is relevant to environmental concerns 
and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts that warrant 
supplementing or revising the current available draft of the EQIP EA 
and FONSI.

Executive Order 12372

    Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' requires consultation with State and local officials that 
would be directly affected by proposed federal financial assistance. 
The objectives of the Executive order are to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened Federalism, by relying 
on State and local processes for State and local government 
coordination and review of proposed federal financial assistance and 
direct federal development. For reasons specified in the final rule 
related notice regarding 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 
24, 1983), the programs and activities in this rule are excluded from 
the scope of Executive Order 12372.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform.'' This rule will not preempt State or local laws, 
regulations, or policies unless they represent an irreconcilable 
conflict with this rule. Before any judicial actions may be brought 
regarding the provisions of this rule, the administrative appeal 
provisions of 7 CFR part 11 are to be exhausted.

Executive Order 13132

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13132, 
``Federalism.'' The policies contained in this rule do not have any 
substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the 
Federal Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government, except as 
required by law. Nor does this rule impose substantial direct 
compliance costs on State and local governments. Therefore, 
consultation with the States is not required.

Executive Order 13175

    This rule has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 
Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian 
Tribal Governments.'' Executive Order 13175 requires federal agencies 
to consult and coordinate with Tribes on a government-to-government 
basis on policies that have Tribal implications, including regulations, 
legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy 
statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or 
more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian Tribes or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
    The USDA's Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) has assessed the impact 
of this rule on Indian Tribes and determined that this rule may have 
substantial direct Tribal implication that may require Tribal 
consultation under Executive Order 13175. Tribal consultation for this 
rule was included in the two 2018 Farm Bill Tribal consultation held on 
May 1, 2019, at the National Museum of the American Indian, in 
Washington, DC, and on June 26-28, 2019, in Sparks, NV. For the May 1, 
Tribal consultation, the portion of the Tribal consultation relative to 
this rule was conducted by Bill Northey, USDA Under Secretary for the 
Farm Production and Conservation mission area, as part of the Title II 
session. There were no specific comments from Tribes on the EQIP rule 
during the Tribal consultation. If a tribe requests additional 
consultation, NRCS will work with OTR to ensure meaningful consultation 
is provided where changes, additions, and modifications identified in 
this rule are not expressly mandated by legislation.
    Separate from Tribal consultation, communication, and outreach 
efforts are in place to assure that all producers, including Tribes (or 
their members), are provided information about the regulation changes. 
Specifically, NRCS obtains input through Tribal Conservation Advisory 
Councils. A Tribal Conservation Advisory Council may be an existing 
Tribal committee or department and may also constitute an association 
of member Tribes organized to provide direct consultation to NRCS at 
the State, regional, and national levels to provide input on NRCS 
rules, policies, programs, and impacts on Tribes. Tribal Conservation 
Advisory Councils provide a venue for agency leaders to gather input on 
Tribal interests. Additionally, NRCS will be holding several sessions 
with Indian Tribes and Tribal entities across the country in fiscal 
year 2019 to describe the 2018 Farm Bill changes to NRCS conservation 
programs, obtain input about how to improve Tribal and Tribal member 
access to NRCS conservation assistance, and make any appropriate 
adjustments to the regulations that will foster such improved access.

Unfunded Mandates

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA, Pub. L. 
104-4), requires federal agencies to assess the effects of their 
regulatory

[[Page 69280]]

actions on State, local, and Tribal Governments or the private sector. 
Agencies generally must prepare a written statement, including cost 
benefits analysis, for proposed and final rules with federal mandates 
that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more in any 1 year 
for State, local or Tribal Governments, in the aggregate, or to the 
private sector. UMRA generally requires agencies to consider 
alternatives and adopt the more cost-effective or least burdensome 
alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. This rule 
contains no federal mandates, as defined under Title II of UMRA, for 
State, local, and Tribal Governments or the private sector. Therefore, 
this rule is not subject to the requirements of UMRA.

Federal Assistance Programs

    The title and number of the Federal Domestic Assistance Programs in 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance to which this rule applies:
    10.912--Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

E-Government Act Compliance

    NRCS and CCC are committed to complying with the E-Government Act, 
to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies 
to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government 
information and services, and for other purposes.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1466

    Administrative practice and procedure, Animal welfare, Natural 
resources, Soil conservation, Water resources.

    The CCC revises 7 CFR part 1466 to read as follows:

PART 1466--ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM

Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
1466.1 Applicability.
1466.2 Administration.
1466.3 Definitions.
1466.4 National priorities.
1466.5 Outreach activities.
1466.6 Program requirements.
1466.7 EQIP plan of operations.
1466.8 Conservation practices.
1466.9 Technical services provided by qualified personnel not 
affiliated with USDA.
Subpart B--Contracts and Payment
1466.20 Application for contracts and selecting applications.
1466.21 Contract requirements.
1466.22 Conservation practice operations and maintenance (O&M).
1466.23 Payment rates.
1466.24 EQIP payment restrictions and exceptions.
1466.25 Contract modifications and transfers of contract rights.
1466.26 Contract violations and terminations.
Subpart C--Conservation Innovation
1466.30 Definitions.
1466.31 Purpose and scope.
1466.32 Conservation innovation grant funding.
1466.33 Conservation innovation grant administration.
1466.34 Award determinations.
1466.35 State-level conservation innovation grant component.
1466.36 Intellectual property.
1466.37 On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials.
1466.38 Soil Health Demonstration trial.
Subpart D--Incentive Contracts
1466.40 High priority areas.
1466.41 Incentive contract selection.
1466.42 Incentive contract requirements.
1466.43 Incentive contract period.
1466.44 Incentive payment rates and restrictions.
Subpart E--General Administration
1466.50 Appeals.
1466.51 Compliance with regulatory measures.
1466.52 Access to operating unit.
1466.53 Equitable relief.
1466.54 Offsets and assignments.
1466.55 Misrepresentation and scheme or device.
1466.56 Environmental credits for conservation improvements.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 714b and 714c; and 16 U.S.C. 3839aa--3839-
8.

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  1466.1   Applicability.

    (a) Purposes. (1) The purposes of the Environmental Quality 
Incentives Program (EQIP) are to promote agricultural production, 
forest management, and environmental quality as compatible goals, and 
to optimize environmental benefits.
    (2) Through EQIP, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance 
to eligible agricultural producers, including nonindustrial private 
forest (NIPF) landowners and Indian Tribes, to help implement 
conservation practices which address soil, water, and air quality; 
wildlife habitat; nutrient management associated with crops and 
livestock; pest management; surface and groundwater conservation; 
irrigation management; drought resiliency measures; adapting to and 
mitigating against increasing weather volatility; energy conservation; 
and related resource concerns.
    (3) EQIP's financial and technical assistance helps producers 
comply with environmental regulations and enhance agricultural and 
forested lands in a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial 
manner.
    (4) The purposes of the program are achieved by planning and 
implementing conservation practices on eligible land to address 
identified, new, or expected resource concerns.
    (b) Availability. EQIP is available in any of the 50 States, 
District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands 
of the United States, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands.
    (c) Applicability. Each contract enrolled into EQIP, is subject to 
the regulations in effect on the date it is enrolled.


Sec.  1466.2   Administration.

    (a) The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds, facilities, 
authorities. Because the funds, facilities, and authorities of the CCC 
are available to NRCS for carrying out EQIP, each reference to NRCS in 
this part also refers to the CCC's funds, facilities, and authorities 
where applicable.
    (b) Locally-led conservation. (1) NRCS supports locally-led 
conservation by soliciting input from the State Technical Committee and 
the Tribal Conservation Advisory Council at the State level, and local 
working groups at the county, parish, or Tribal level to advise NRCS on 
issues relating to EQIP implementation.
    (2) Recommendations from the State Technical Committee and the 
Tribal Conservation Advisory Council may include but are not limited 
to:
    (i) Recommendations for program priorities and criteria;
    (ii) Identification of priority resource concerns;
    (iii) Recommendations about which conservation practices will be 
effective to treat identified priority resource concerns; and
    (iv) Recommendations of program payment rates for payment 
schedules.
    (c) Delegations. No delegation in the administration of this part 
to lower organizational levels will preclude the Chief from making any 
determinations under this part, redelegating to other organizational 
levels, or from reversing or modifying any determination made under 
this part.
    (d) Waiver. The Chief may modify or waive a nonstatutory, 
discretionary provision of this part if the Chief determines the 
application of that provision to a particular limited situation to be 
inappropriate and inconsistent with the purposes of the program;
    (e) Scope of agreement authority. NRCS may enter into agreements 
with

[[Page 69281]]

other Federal or State agencies, Indian Tribes, conservation districts, 
units of local government, public or private organizations, acequias, 
and individuals to assist NRCS with implementation of the program in 
this part.


Sec.  1466.3   Definitions.

    The definitions in this section apply to this part and all 
documents issued in accordance with this part, unless specified 
elsewhere in this part:
    Agricultural operation means a parcel or parcels of land whether 
contiguous or noncontiguous, which is under the effective control of 
the producer at the time the producer applies for a contract, and which 
is operated by the producer with equipment, labor, management, and 
production, or cultivation practices that are substantially separate 
from other operations.
    Animal feeding operation (AFO) means a lot or facility (other than 
an aquatic animal production facility) where the conditions in this 
definition are met:
    (1) Animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed 
or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period; 
and
    (2) Crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are 
not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot 
or facility.
    Animal waste storage or treatment facility means a structural 
conservation practice, implemented on an AFO consistent with the 
requirements of a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) and 
Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG), which is used for storing, 
treating, or handling animal waste or by-products, such as animal 
carcasses.
    Applicant means a producer who has requested in writing to 
participate in EQIP.
    At-risk species means any plant or animal species listed as 
threatened or endangered; proposed or candidate for listing under the 
Endangered Species Act; a species listed as threatened or endangered 
under State law or Tribal law on Tribal land; State or Tribal land 
species of conservation concern; or other plant or animal species or 
community, as determined by the State Conservationist, with advice from 
the State Technical Committee or Tribal Conservation Advisory Council, 
that has undergone, or is likely to undergo, population decline and may 
become imperiled without direct intervention.
    Beginning farmer or rancher means a person, Indian Tribe, Tribal 
corporation, or legal entity who:
    (1) Has not operated a farm or ranch, or NIPF, or who has operated 
a farm, ranch, or NIPF for not more than 10 consecutive years. This 
requirement applies to all members of an entity who will materially and 
substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.
    (2) In the case of a contract with an individual, individually, or 
with the immediate family, material and substantial participation 
requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and 
management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the 
county or State where the farm is located.
    (3) In the case of a contract with an entity or joint operation, 
all members must materially and substantially participate in the 
operation of the farm or ranch. Material and substantial participation 
requires that each of the members provide some amount of the 
management, or labor and management necessary for day-to-day 
activities, such that if each of the members did not provide these 
inputs, operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously impaired.
    Chief means the Chief of NRCS, U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), or designee.
    Comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) means a conservation 
plan that is specifically for an AFO. A CNMP identifies conservation 
practices and management activities which, when implemented as part of 
a conservation system, will manage sufficient quantities of manure, 
waste water, or organic by-products associated with a waste management 
facility. A CNMP incorporates practices to use animal manure and 
organic by-products as a beneficial resource while protecting all 
natural resources including water and air quality associated with an 
AFO. A CNMP is developed to assist an AFO owner/operator in meeting all 
applicable local, Tribal, State, and Federal water quality goals or 
regulations. For nutrient-impaired stream segments or water bodies, 
additional management activities or conservation practices may be 
required by local, Tribal, State, or Federal water quality goals or 
regulations.
    Conservation benefit means the improved condition of a natural 
resource concern resulting from the implementation of a conservation 
practice.
    Conservation district means any district or unit of State, Tribal, 
or local government formed under State, Tribal, or territorial law for 
the express purpose of developing and carrying out a local soil and 
water conservation program. Such district or unit of government may be 
referred to as a ``conservation district,'' ``soil conservation 
district,'' ``soil and water conservation district,'' ``resource 
conservation district,'' ``land conservation committee,'' ``natural 
resource district,'' or similar name.
    Conservation practice means one or more conservation improvements 
and activities, including structural practices, land management 
practices, vegetative practices, forest management practices, and other 
improvements that achieve the program purposes, including such items as 
CNMPs, agricultural energy management plans, dryland transition plans, 
forest management plans, soil testing, soil remediation, integrated 
pest management, and other plans or activities determined acceptable by 
the Chief. Approved conservation practices are listed in the NRCS FOTG.
    Contract means a legal document that specifies the rights and 
obligations of any participant accepted into the program. An EQIP 
contract is a binding agreement for the transfer of assistance from 
USDA to the participant to share in the costs of implementing 
conservation practices.
    Cost-effectiveness means the least costly option for achieving a 
given set of conservation objectives to address a resource concern.
    Eligible land means land on which agricultural commodities, 
livestock, or forest-related products are produced, and specifically 
includes:
    (1) Cropland;
    (2) Grassland;
    (3) Rangeland;
    (4) Pasture land;
    (5) Nonindustrial private forest land; and
    (6) Other agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes, 
environmentally sensitive areas as identified by NRCS, and agricultural 
land used for the production of livestock) on which identified or 
expected resource concerns related to agricultural production that may 
be addressed by a contract under EQIP as determined by the Chief.
    Enrolled land means the land area identified and included in the 
program contract at the time when funds have been obligated.
    EQIP plan of operations means the document that identifies the 
location, timing, and extent of conservation practices that the 
participant agrees to implement on eligible land enrolled in the 
program in order to address the priority resource concerns, optimize 
environmental benefits, and address program purposes as defined in 
Sec.  1466.1. The EQIP plan of operations is part of the EQIP contract.
    Estimated income foregone means an estimate of the net income loss

[[Page 69282]]

associated with the adoption of a conservation practice. Along with 
other estimated incurred costs, income foregone is one of the costs 
associated with practice implementation as recorded in a payment 
schedule.
    Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) means the official local NRCS 
source of resource information and interpretations of guidelines, 
criteria, and requirements for planning and implementation of 
conservation practices. It contains detailed information on the quality 
standards to achieve conservation of soil, water, air, plant, energy, 
and animal resources applicable to the local area for which it is 
prepared. (See https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/fotg/ to access your State FOTG.)
    Forest management plan means a site-specific plan that is prepared 
according to NRCS criteria by a professional resource manager, in 
consultation with the participant, and is approved by NRCS. Forest 
management plans may include a forest stewardship plan, as specified in 
section 5 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
2103a); another plan approved by the State forester or Indian Tribe; or 
another plan determined appropriate by NRCS. The plan is intended to 
comply with Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws, regulations, and 
permit requirements.
    Habitat development means the application of conservation practices 
to establish, improve, protect, enhance, or restore the conditions of 
the land for the specific purpose of improving conditions for fish and 
wildlife.
    High priority area means a watershed (or other appropriate region 
or area within a State) wherein the Chief, in consultation with the 
State Technical Committee, has identified one or more priority resource 
concerns.
    Historically underserved producer means a person, joint operation, 
legal entity, or Indian Tribe who is a beginning farmer or rancher, 
socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, limited resource farmer or 
rancher, or veteran farmer or rancher.
    Incentive practice means a practice or set of practices approved by 
the Chief that, when implemented and maintained on eligible land, 
address one or more priority resource concerns under a contract entered 
into under subpart D of this part.
    Indian land means:
    (1) Land held in trust by the United States for individual Indians 
or Indian Tribes;
    (2) Land, the title to which is held by individual Indians or 
Indian Tribes subject to Federal restrictions against alienation or 
encumbrance;
    (3) Land which is subject to rights of use, occupancy or benefit of 
certain Indian Tribes; or
    (4) Land held in fee title by an Indian, Indian family, or Indian 
Tribe.
    Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other 
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or 
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) 
which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services 
provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as 
Indians.
    Integrated pest management means a sustainable approach to managing 
pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools 
in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.
    Joint operation means, as defined in 7 CFR part 1400, a general 
partnership, joint venture, or other similar business organization in 
which the members are jointly and severally liable for the obligations 
of the organization.
    Legal entity means, as defined in 7 CFR part 1400, an entity 
created under Federal or State law that:
    (1) Owns land or an agricultural commodity, product, or livestock; 
or
    (2) Produces an agricultural commodity, product, or livestock.
    Lifespan means the period of time during which a conservation 
practice or activity should be maintained and used for the intended 
purpose.
    Limited resource farmer or rancher means either:
    (1) Individual producer:
    (i) A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than 
the current indexed value in each of the previous 2 fiscal years 
(adjusted for inflation using Prices Paid by Farmer Index as compiled 
by National Agricultural Statistical Service), and
    (ii) Has a total household income at or below the national poverty 
level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of county median 
household income in each of the previous 2 years (to be determined 
annually using Commerce Department Data); or
    (2) A legal entity or joint operation if all individual members 
independently qualify under paragraph (1) of this definition.
    Liquidated damages means a sum of money stipulated in the EQIP 
contract that the participant agrees to pay NRCS if the participant 
fails to adequately complete the terms of the contract. The sum 
represents an estimate of the technical assistance expenses incurred to 
service the contract and reflects the difficulties of proof of loss and 
the inconvenience or nonfeasibility of otherwise obtaining an adequate 
remedy.
    Livestock means all domesticated animals produced on farms or 
ranches, as determined by the Chief.
    Livestock production means farm or ranch operations involving the 
production, growing, raising, or reproduction of domesticated livestock 
or livestock products.
    Local working group means the advisory body as defined in 7 CFR 
part 610.
    National Organic Program means the national program established 
under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), 
administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, which regulates the 
standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation 
that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced.
    National priorities mean resource issues identified by the Chief, 
with advice from other federal agencies, Indian Tribes, and State 
Conservationists, which is used to determine the distribution of EQIP 
funds and guide local EQIP implementation.
    Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is an agency of USDA, 
which has responsibility for administering EQIP using the funds, 
facilities, and authorities of the CCC.
    Nonindustrial private forest land (NIPF) means rural land, as 
determined by NRCS, that has existing tree cover or is suitable for 
growing trees; and is owned by any nonindustrial private individual, 
group, association, corporation, Indian Tribe, or other private legal 
entity that has definitive decision-making authority over the land.
    Operation and maintenance (O&M) means work performed by the 
participant to keep the applied conservation practice functioning for 
the intended purpose during the conservation practice lifespan. 
Operation includes the administration, management, and performance of 
nonmaintenance actions needed to keep the completed practice 
functioning as intended. Maintenance includes work to prevent 
deterioration of the practice, repairing damage, or replacement of the 
practice to its original condition if one or more components fail.
    O&M agreement means the document that, in conjunction with the EQIP 
plan of operations, specifies the O&M responsibilities of the 
participant for

[[Page 69283]]

conservation practices installed with EQIP assistance.
    Organic system plan (OSP) means a management plan for organic 
production or for an organic handling operation that has been agreed to 
by the producer or handler and the certifying agent. The OSP includes 
all written plans that govern all aspects of agricultural production or 
handling as required under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).
    Participant means an applicant that has entered into an EQIP 
contract who incurs the cost of practice implementation, will receive 
or has received payment, or is responsible for implementing the terms 
and conditions of an EQIP contract.
    Payment means financial assistance provided to the participant 
based on the estimated costs incurred in performing or implementing 
conservation practices, including costs for: Planning, design, 
materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or 
training, as well as the estimated income foregone by the participant 
for designated conservation practices.
    Person means, as defined in 7 CFR part 1400, an individual, natural 
person, and does not include a legal entity.
    Priority resource concern means a resource concern, as determined 
by the Chief, with input from the State Technical Committee, that--
    (1) Is identified at the national, State, or local level as a 
priority for a particular area of a State; and
    (2) Represents a significant concern in a State or region.
    Producer means a person, legal entity, Indian Tribe, or joint 
operation who NRCS determines is engaged in agricultural production or 
forestry management on the agricultural operation.
    Resource concern means a specific natural resource issue or problem 
that represents a significant concern in a State or region and is 
likely to be addressed through the implementation of conservation 
practices by producers according to NRCS technical standards.
    Semi-public means entities that are private or public companies 
that serve a public purpose, i.e. Public utility companies. They often 
have condemnation authority but are not considered part of the State or 
State government.
    Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher means a producer who is a 
member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic 
prejudices without regard to its members' individual qualities. For an 
entity, at least 50-percent ownership in the business entity must be 
held by socially disadvantaged individuals.
    Soil remediation means scientifically based practices, as 
determined by NRCS, that--
    (1) Ensure the safety of producers from contaminants in soil;
    (2) Limit contaminants in soils from entering agricultural products 
for human or animal consumption; and
    (3) Regenerate and sustain the soil.
    Soil testing means the evaluation of soil health, including testing 
for the--
    (1) Optimal level of constituents in the soil, such as organic 
matter, nutrients, and the potential presence of soil contaminants 
(including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, polycylic aromatic 
hydrocarbons, or other contaminants), as determined by NRCS; and
    (2) Biological and physical characteristics indicative of proper 
soil functioning.
    State conservationist means the NRCS employee authorized to 
implement EQIP and direct and supervise NRCS activities in a State and 
the Caribbean and Pacific Island Areas.
    State Technical Committee means a committee established by NRCS in 
a State pursuant to 7 CFR part 610, subpart C.
    Structural practice means a conservation practice, including a 
vegetative practice, that involves establishing, constructing, or 
installing a site-specific measure to conserve and protect a resource 
from degradation, or improve soil, water, air, or related natural 
resources. Examples include, but are not limited to, animal waste 
management facilities, terraces, grassed waterways, tailwater pits, 
livestock water developments, contour grass strips, filter strips, 
critical area plantings, tree plantings, establishment or improvement 
of wildlife habitat, and capping of abandoned wells.
    Technical assistance means technical expertise, information, 
training, education, and tools necessary for a producer to be able to 
successfully implement, operate, and maintain conservation practices to 
ensure the conservation of natural resources on land active in 
agricultural, forestry, or related uses. These technical services 
include:
    (1) Technical services provided directly to farmers, ranchers, 
Indian Tribes, and other eligible entities, such as conservation 
planning, technical consultation, and assistance with design and 
implementation of conservation practices; and
    (2) Technical infrastructure, including activities, processes, 
tools, and agency functions needed to support delivery of technical 
services, such as technical standards, resource inventories, training, 
education, data, technology, monitoring, and effects analyses.
    Technical service provider (TSP) means an individual, private-
sector entity, Indian Tribe, or public agency either:
    (1) Certified by NRCS pursuant to 7 CFR part 652 and placed on the 
approved list to provide technical services to participants; or
    (2) Selected by the Department to assist in the implementation of 
conservation programs covered by this part through a procurement 
contract, contributions agreement, or cooperative agreement with the 
Department.
    Tribal Conservation Advisory Council means, in lieu of or in 
addition to forming a Tribal conservation district, an Indian Tribe may 
elect to designate an advisory council to provide input on NRCS 
programs and the conservation needs of the Tribe and Tribal producers. 
The advisory council may be an existing Tribal committee or department 
and may also constitute an association of member Tribes organized to 
provide direct consultation to NRCS at the State, regional, and 
national levels to provide input on NRCS rules, policies, and programs 
and their impacts on Tribes.
    Veteran farmer or rancher means a producer who meets the definition 
in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).
    Water management entity means a State, irrigation district, 
groundwater management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar 
entity that has jurisdiction or responsibilities related to water 
delivery or management to eligible lands.
    Wildlife means nondomesticated birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, 
invertebrates, and mammals.
    Wildlife habitat means the aquatic and terrestrial environments 
required for fish and wildlife to complete their life cycles, providing 
air, food, cover, water, and spatial requirements.


Sec.  1466.4   National priorities.

    (a) The national priorities in paragraphs (a)(1) through (8) of 
this section, consistent with statutory resources concerns, include 
soil quality, water quality and quantity, plants, energy, wildlife 
habitat, air quality, increased weather volatility, and related natural 
resource concerns, that may be used in EQIP implementation are:
    (1) Reductions of nonpoint source pollution, such as nutrients, 
sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds 
consistent with

[[Page 69284]]

total maximum daily loads (TMDL) where available;
    (2) The reduction of surface and ground water contamination;
    (3) The reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such 
as animal feeding operations;
    (4) Conservation of ground and surface water resources, including 
improvement of irrigation efficiency;
    (5) Reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen 
oxides, volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters 
that contribute to air quality impairment violations of the National 
Ambient Air Quality Standards;
    (6) Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable 
levels on eligible land;
    (7) Promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation including 
development and improvement of wildlife habitat; and
    (8) Energy conservation to help save fuel, improve efficiency of 
water use, maintain production, and protect soil and water resources by 
more efficiently using fertilizers and pesticides.
    (b) In consultation with other Federal agencies and Indian Tribes, 
NRCS may undertake periodic reviews of the national priorities and the 
effects of program delivery at the State and local levels to adapt the 
program to address emerging resource issues. NRCS may--
    (1) Use the national priorities to guide the allocation of EQIP 
funds to the NRCS State offices;
    (2) Use the national priorities in conjunction with States, Indian 
Tribes, and local priorities to assist with prioritization and 
selection of EQIP applications; and
    (3) Periodically review and update the national priorities 
utilizing input from the public, Indian Tribes, other Federal and State 
agencies, and affected stakeholders to ensure that the program 
continues to address priority resource concerns.


Sec.  1466.5   Outreach activities.

    (a) NRCS conducts outreach activities at the national, State, 
Tribal, and local levels to ensure that producers whose land has 
environmental problems or priority resource concerns are aware and 
informed that they may be eligible to apply for program assistance.
    (b) NRCS will make special outreach to eligible producers with 
historically low participation rates, including but not restricted to, 
limited resource, socially disadvantaged, small-scale, beginning 
farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers or ranchers, Indian Tribes, Alaska 
Natives, and Pacific Islanders.
    (c) NRCS provides outreach to ensure producer participation is not 
limited based on the size or type of operation or production system, 
including small-scale, specialty crop, and organic production.
    (d) NRCS will notify historically underserved producers, at the 
time of enrollment in the program, of the option to receive advance 
payments under Sec.  1466.24 of this part and document the election of 
each of these producers.


Sec.  1466.6   Program requirements.

    (a) General. Program participation is voluntary. An applicant must 
develop an EQIP plan of operations for the eligible land to be treated 
which serves as the basis for the EQIP contract. Under EQIP, NRCS 
provides participants with technical assistance and payments to plan 
and apply needed conservation practices.
    (b) Applicant eligibility. To be eligible to participate in EQIP, 
an applicant must--
    (1) Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland 
conservation provisions at 7 CFR part 12;
    (2) Be a producer as determined by NRCS;
    (3) Have control of the land for the term of the proposed contract 
unless an exception is made by the Chief in the case of land 
administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian lands, or 
other instances in which the Chief determines sufficient assurance of 
control;
    (i) The Chief may determine that land administered by BIA, Indian 
land, or other such circumstances provides sufficient assurance of 
control, and
    (ii) If the applicant is a tenant of the land involved in 
agricultural production or forestry management, the Chief may require 
the applicant to obtain the written concurrence of the landowner to 
apply a conservation practice;
    (4) Agree to implement the EQIP plan of operations according to the 
provisions and conditions established in the EQIP contract, including 
the EQIP contract appendix;
    (5) Submit an EQIP plan of operations or plan developed for the 
purposes of acquiring an air or water quality permit, provided these 
plans contain elements equivalent to those elements required by an EQIP 
plan of operations and are acceptable to NRCS as being consistent with 
the purposes of the program;
    (6) Supply information, as required by NRCS, to determine 
eligibility for the program, including but not limited to, information 
to verify the applicant's status as a historically underserved 
producer, and payment eligibility as established by 7 CFR part 1400; 
and
    (7) Provide a list of all members of the legal entity and embedded 
entities along with members' tax identification numbers and percentage 
interest in the entity.
    (c) Consideration for enrollment of eligible land. Eligible land, 
as defined in Sec.  1466.3, may be considered for enrollment in EQIP 
only if NRCS determines that the land is--
    (1) Privately owned land;
    (2) Publicly owned land where--
    (i) The land is a working component of the participant's 
agricultural or forestry operation,
    (ii) The participant has control of the land for the term of the 
contract, and
    (iii) The conservation practices to be implemented on the public 
land are necessary and will contribute to an improvement in the 
identified resource concern; or
    (3) Indian land.
    (d) Eligibility of a water management entity. (1) Notwithstanding 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, NRCS may enter into an EQIP 
contract with a water management entity provided the criteria in 
paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section can be met:
    (i) The entity is a public or semi-public agency or organization, 
and
    (ii) Its purpose is to assist private agricultural producers manage 
water distribution systems.
    (2) Water conservation or irrigation practices that are the subject 
of a contract entered into under paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall 
be implemented on--
    (i) Eligible land of a producer; or
    (ii) Land that is--
    (A) Under the control of the water management entity, and
    (B) Adjacent to eligible land of a producer, provided the Chief 
determines the adjacent land is necessary to support the installation 
of a practice or system implemented on eligible land.
    (3)(i) The Chief may waive the average adjusted gross income 
limitation set forth in 7 CFR part 1400 or the aggregate payment 
limitation set forth in Sec.  1466.24 of this part for a contract under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section if the Chief determines that the 
waiver is necessary to fulfill the objectives of the project.
    (ii) In determining whether to grant a waiver under this paragraph, 
the Chief shall consider--
    (A) The number of producers who will benefit from the project;
    (B) The conservation benefit of the practices involved in the 
project;
    (C) The amount of non-federal assets leveraged to facilitate the 
project;
    (D) The extent to which the project involves progressive 
implementation of conservation practices; and

[[Page 69285]]

    (E) Other criteria as determined by NRCS.
    (iii) Notwithstanding any waiver of the aggregate payment 
limitation, a water management entity or individual member thereof 
shall not receive, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, payments 
under this paragraph, in aggregate, in excess of $900,000 for all 
contracts entered into under this paragraph by the water management 
entity during the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.


Sec.  1466.7   EQIP plan of operations.

    (a) All conservation practices in the EQIP plan of operations must 
be approved by NRCS and developed and carried out in accordance with 
the applicable NRCS planning and FOTG technical requirements.
    (b) The participant is responsible for implementing the EQIP plan 
of operations according to the approved implementation schedule.
    (c) The EQIP plan of operations must include--
    (1) A description of the participant's specific conservation 
objectives to be achieved;
    (2) To the extent practicable, the quantitative or qualitative 
goals for achieving the participant's conservation and natural resource 
objectives;
    (3) A description of one or more conservation practices in the 
conservation management system, including conservation planning, 
design, or installation activities to be implemented to achieve the 
conservation objectives;
    (4) A schedule for implementing the conservation practices, 
including timing, sequence, operation, and maintenance; and
    (5) Information that enables evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
plan of operations in achieving the conservation objectives.
    (d) If an EQIP plan of operations includes an animal waste storage 
or treatment facility to be implemented on an AFO, the participant must 
agree to develop a CNMP by the end of the contract period, and any 
conservation practices in the EQIP plan of operation must be 
implemented consistent with a CNMP.
    (e) An EQIP plan of operations on forest land must implement 
conservation practices consistent with an approved forest management 
plan.
    (f) NRCS may provide a participant with assistance to implement an 
EQIP plan of operations which includes irrigation-related practices to 
address a water conservation resource concern only if the participant 
establishes through documented evidence, including irrigation history, 
that such assistance will facilitate a reduction in ground or surface 
water use on the agricultural operation, unless the producer is 
participating in a watershed-wide project, as approved by NRCS, which 
will effectively conserve water in accordance with Sec.  1466.20 of 
this part.


Sec.  1466.8   Conservation practices.

    (a) NRCS will determine the conservation practices for which 
participants may receive program payments and provide a list of 
eligible practices to the public.
    (b) Payment will not be made to a participant for conservation 
practices that--
    (1) Either the applicant or another producer has initiated or 
implemented prior to application for the program; or
    (2) Has been initiated or implemented prior to contract approval, 
unless a waiver was granted by the Chief prior to the practice 
implementation.
    (c) Unless waived for circumstances as determined by the Chief, a 
participant is eligible for payments for water conservation and 
irrigation-related conservation practices only on land that has been 
irrigated for 2 of the last 5 years prior to application for 
assistance.
    (d) Upon the development of a new technology or management approach 
that provides a high potential for optimizing conservation benefits, 
NRCS may approve an interim conservation practice standard that 
incorporates the new technology or management approach and provide 
financial assistance for pilot work to evaluate and assess the 
performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the new technology or 
management approach.
    (e) NRCS will at least annually consult with State Technical 
Committees, Tribal Conservation Advisory Councils, local work groups, 
and other stakeholders to identify conservation practices with 
appropriate purposes and the criteria for their application to address 
priorities to establish wildlife habitat including--
    (1) Upland wildlife habitat;
    (2) Wetland wildlife habitat;
    (3) Habitat for threatened and endangered species;
    (4) Fish habitat;
    (5) Habitat on pivot corners and other irregular areas of a field; 
and
    (6) Other types of wildlife habitat, as determined by NRCS.


Sec.  1466.9   Technical services provided by qualified personnel not 
affiliated with USDA.

    (a) NRCS may use the services of qualified third-party TSPs in its 
delivery of EQIP technical assistance in accordance with 7 CFR part 
652.
    (b) Participants may obtain technical services from certified TSPs 
in accordance with 7 CFR part 652.
    (c) NRCS retains approval authority of work done by non-NRCS 
personnel for the purpose of approving EQIP payments.

Subpart B--Contracts and Payment


Sec.  1466.20   Application for contracts and selecting applications.

    (a) General guidelines. (1) Any producer who has eligible land may 
submit an application for participation in EQIP.
    (2) NRCS, to the greatest extent practicable, will group 
applications of similar crop, forestry, and livestock operations for 
evaluation purposes.
    (3) Applications may be accepted on a continuous basis throughout 
the year.
    (4) Producers who are members of a joint operation may file a 
single application for ranking purposes for the joint operation.
    (b) Ranking guidelines. In evaluating EQIP applications, NRCS--
    (1) Will establish ranking pools to address a specific resource 
concern by geographic area or agricultural operation type with advice 
from the State Technical Committee, Tribal Conservation Advisory 
Council, or local working groups;
    (2) Will develop an evaluation process using, where applicable, 
science-based tools to prioritize and rank applications for funding 
that considers national, State, and local priority resource concerns, 
taking into account the factors related to conservation benefits to 
address identified resource concerns through implementation of 
conservation practices such as:
    (i) The degree of cost-effectiveness of the proposed conservation 
practices;
    (ii) The magnitude of the expected conservation benefits resulting 
from the conservation treatment and the priority of the resource 
concerns that have been identified at the local, State, and national 
levels;
    (iii) How effectively and comprehensively the project addresses the 
designated resource concern or resource concerns;
    (iv) Use of conservation practices that provide long-term 
conservation enhancements;
    (v) Compliance with Federal, State, Tribal, or local regulatory 
requirements concerning soil, water, and air quality; wildlife habitat; 
and ground and surface water conservation;
    (vi) Willingness of the applicant to complete all conservation 
practices in an expedited manner;

[[Page 69286]]

    (vii) The ability to improve existing conservation practices or 
systems which are in place at the time the application is accepted, or 
that complete a conservation system;
    (viii) The applicant's meeting O&M requirements for the lifespan of 
conservation practices previously funded through EQIP; and
    (xi) Other locally defined pertinent factors, such as the location 
of the conservation practice, the extent of natural resource 
degradation, and the degree of cooperation by local producers to 
achieve environmental improvements.
    (3) May give priority for applications that include water 
conservation or irrigation-related practices, and consistent with State 
law in which the applicant's eligible land is located, if the 
application--
    (i) Results in a reduction in water use in the agricultural 
operation, or
    (ii) Includes an agreement by the applicant not to use any 
associated water savings to bring new land (other than incidental land 
needed for efficient operations) under irrigation production unless the 
producer is participating in a watershed-wide project that will 
effectively conserve water as designated under paragraph (c) of this 
section;
    (4) May not assign a higher priority to the application solely 
because it would present the least cost to the program if determined 
that the conservation benefits of two or more applications for payments 
are comparable;
    (5) Will ensure that the ranking score does not give preferential 
treatment to applications based on size of the operation, income 
generated from the operation, type of operation, or other factors not 
related to conservation benefits to address a resource concern unless 
authorized in this rule;
    (6) Will determine through the evaluation process the order in 
which applications will be selected for funding; and
    (7) Will make available to the public all information regarding 
priority resource concerns, the list of eligible practices, payment 
rates, and how EQIP is implemented in a State.
    (c) Eligibility of certain water conservation projects. NRCS may 
designate as eligible watershed-wide projects that effectively conserve 
water, using the criteria in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this 
section:
    (1) The project area has a current, comprehensive water resource 
assessment; and
    (2) The project plan incorporates one or more of the practices in 
paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section:
    (i) Water conservation scheduling, water distribution efficiency, 
soil moisture monitoring, or an appropriate combination thereof,
    (ii) Irrigation-related structural or other measures that conserve 
surface or ground water, including managed aquifer recovery practices, 
or
    (iii) A transition to water-conserving crops, water-conserving crop 
rotations, or deficit irrigation; and
    (3) The project sponsors have consulted relevant State and local 
agencies.
    (d) Administrative efficiency. (1) NRCS may use screening factors 
as part of its evaluation process that may include sorting applications 
into high, medium, or low priority.
    (2) If screening factors are used to designate a higher priority 
for ranking, all eligible applications screened with a higher priority 
are ranked and considered for funding before ranking applications that 
are a lower priority.
    (3) NRCS is the approving authority for all EQIP contracts.


Sec.  1466.21  Contract requirements.

    (a) Requirement for a contract. For a participant to receive 
payments, the participant must enter into a contract agreeing to 
implement one or more conservation practices. Payment for technical 
services may be included in the contract pursuant to requirements of 
this part.
    (b) Contract terms. An EQIP contract will--
    (1) Identify all conservation practices to be implemented, the 
timing of practice installation, the O&M requirements for the 
practices, and applicable payments allocated to the practices under the 
contract;
    (2) Have a term for no more than 10 years;
    (3) Incorporate all provisions as required by law or statute, 
including requirements that the participant will--
    (i) Not implement any practices on the enrolled land that would 
defeat the program's purposes,
    (ii) Refund any program payments received with interest, and 
forfeit any future payments under the program, on the violation of a 
term or condition of the contract, consistent with the provisions of 
Sec.  1466.26,
    (iii) Refund all program payments received on the transfer of the 
right and interest of the producer in land subject to the contract, 
unless the transferee of the right and interest agrees to assume all 
obligations, including O&M of the EQIP contract's conservation 
practices, consistent with the provisions of Sec.  1466.25,
    (iv) Develop and implement any conservation practices identified in 
an EQIP plan of operations consistent with a CNMP when the EQIP 
contract includes an animal waste management facility on an AFO,
    (v) Implement conservation practices consistent with an approved 
forest management plan when the EQIP plan of operations includes 
forest-related practices that address resource concerns on NIPF,
    (vi) Supply information as required by NRCS to determine compliance 
with contract and program requirements, and
    (vii) Specify the participant's responsibilities for the O&M of the 
applied conservation practices, consistent with the provisions of Sec.  
1466.22; and
    (4) Specify any other provision determined necessary or appropriate 
by NRCS to achieve the technical requirements of a practice or purposes 
of the program.
    (c) Timeline for implementation. At least one conservation practice 
must be scheduled for completion within the first 12 months of the 
contract; NRCS may extend this timeframe if NRCS determines that the 
participant is unable to complete the conservation practice for reasons 
beyond their control.
    (d) Contract limitation. Each contract will be limited to no more 
than $450,000, unless the contract is with an Indian Tribe or the Chief 
grants a waiver. Contracts related to organic operations are also 
subject to payment limitations pursuant to Sec.  1466.24(b).
    (e) Waiver to contract limitation. (1) The Chief may waive the 
contract limitation set forth in paragraph (d) of this section if the 
Chief determines that--
    (i) The waiver is in the best interests of the program; and
    (ii) The contract involves either--
    (A) A joint operation,
    (B) A group project, such as for the development of an anaerobic 
digestor or the improvement of privately owned and operated irrigation 
systems that benefits multiple producers or a large area of land; or
    (C) A water management entity for which NRCS has approved a payment 
limitation waiver.
    (2) A contract for which the Chief has granted a waiver to the 
contract limitation set forth in paragraph (d) of this section shall be 
limited to no more than $900,000.
    (f) Water conservation and irrigation efficiency projects with 
water management entities. NRCS may decline to select an EQIP 
application from a legal entity who is otherwise eligible under Sec.  
1466.6(d) if NRCS

[[Page 69287]]

determines that the project is better suited to be implemented under 
the Regional Conservation Partnership Program or 7 CFR part 622.


Sec.  1466.22  Conservation practice operation and maintenance (O&M).

    (a) The contract will incorporate the O&M agreement that addresses 
the O&M of conservation practices applied under the contract.
    (b) NRCS expects the participant to operate and maintain each 
conservation practice installed under the contract for its intended 
purpose for the conservation practice lifespan as specified in the O&M 
agreement.
    (c) Conservation practices installed before the contract execution 
but included in the contract to obtain the conservation benefits agreed 
upon, must be operated and maintained as specified in the contract and 
O&M agreement.
    (d) NRCS may periodically inspect the conservation practice during 
the contract duration as specified in the O&M agreement to ensure that 
O&M requirements are being carried out and that the conservation 
practice is fulfilling its intended objectives.
    (e) If NRCS finds during the contract that a participant is not 
operating and maintaining practices in an appropriate manner, NRCS may 
terminate the contract and request a refund of payments made for that 
conservation practice under the contract.


Sec.  1466.23  Payment rates.

    (a) Conservation practices. NRCS will develop a list of 
conservation practices eligible for payment under the program, which 
considers:
    (1) The conservation practice cost-effectiveness, implementation 
efficiency, and innovation;
    (2) The degree and effectiveness in treating priority resource 
concerns;
    (3) The number of resource concerns the practice addresses;
    (4) The longevity of the practice's conservation benefit;
    (5) The conservation practice's ability to assist producers in 
meeting regulatory requirements; and
    (6) Other pertinent local considerations.
    (b) Payment schedules. The Chief will determine the process and 
methodology used for development, review, and approval of payment 
schedules to support accurate and cost-effective delivery of program 
benefits, including determination of estimated incurred costs and 
income foregone associated with implementation of all financially-
supported conservation practices or activities.
    (1) Payment to a participant for performing a practice may not 
exceed, as determined by NRCS, the maximum payment percentages in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section:
    (i) Seventy-five percent of the estimated costs incurred by 
implementing the conservation practice,
    (ii) One hundred percent of the estimated income foregone, or
    (iii) Both conditions in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 
section, where a producer incurs costs in implementing a conservation 
practice and foregoes income related to that practice implementation.
    (2) In determining the amount and rate of estimated income 
foregone, NRCS may assign higher significance to conservation practices 
which promote--
    (i) Soil health;
    (ii) Water quality and quantity improvement;
    (iii) Nutrient management;
    (iv) Pest management;
    (v) Air quality improvement;
    (vi) Wildlife habitat development, including pollinator habitat;
    (vii) Invasive species management; or
    (viii) Other natural resource concerns of regional or national 
significance, as determined by NRCS.
    (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a participant 
that meets the definition of a historically underserved producer under 
Sec.  1466.3 may be awarded the applicable payment rate and an 
additional rate that is not less than 25 percent above the applicable 
rate, provided this increase does not exceed 90 percent of the 
estimated costs incurred for implementing the conservation practice.
    (4) NRCS shall reduce the payments to a participant through EQIP 
proportionately below the contracted payment rate established by the 
Chief, so that the total combined payments for a conservation practice 
from EQIP and other USDA sources does not exceed 100 percent of the 
estimated costs incurred for implementing or performing the 
conservation practice.
    (5) When NRCS enters into a formal agreement with partners who 
provide financial support to help implement program initiatives, the 
Chief shall adjust NRCS program payment percentages to provide practice 
payment rates to an amount such that the total financial assistance to 
the participant from NRCS and the partner does not exceed the amount 
needed to encourage voluntary adoption of the practice. The formal 
agreement must be approved by NRCS prior to announcement of the program 
initiative and adjusted payment rates.
    (6) NRCS may provide payments for conservation practices on some or 
all of the operations of a participant related to organic production 
and the transition to organic production. Payments may not be provided 
for any costs associated with organic certification, enterprise costs 
associated with transition to organic production, or for practices or 
activities that are eligible for financial assistance under the 
National Organic Program (7 U.S.C. 6523).
    (c) High priority practices. (1) NRCS, with input from the State 
Technical Committee, may designate not more than 10 practices to be 
eligible for increased payments under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, 
on the condition that the practice, as determined by NRCS--
    (i) Addresses specific causes of impairment relating to excessive 
nutrients in ground or surface water;
    (ii) Addresses the conservation of water, to advance drought 
mitigation and declining aquifers;
    (iii) Meets other environmental priorities and other priority 
resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration 
plans; or
    (iv) Is geographically targeted to address a natural resource 
concern in a specific watershed.
    (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, in the case of a 
practice designated as high priority under paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section a participant may receive an increased amount provided the 
payment does not exceed 90 percent of the incurred costs estimated for 
the conservation practice.
    (d) Source water protection practices. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b) of this section, in the case of a practice that is a source water 
protection practice as identified by the Chief, a participant may 
receive an increased amount provided the payment does not exceed 90 
percent of the incurred costs estimated for the practice.


Sec.  1466.24  EQIP payment restrictions and exceptions.

    (a) EQIP general aggregate payment limitation. (1) The total amount 
of financial assistance payments paid to a person or legal entity under 
this part, during the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, may not 
exceed an aggregate of $450,000, directly or indirectly.
    (2) Except as otherwise provided in Sec.  1466.6, the limitation in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section cannot be waived.
    (b) Organic production aggregate payment limitation. Payments for 
conservation practices related to organic production to a person or 
legal entity, directly or indirectly, during the period of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023, may not exceed an aggregate of $140,000.

[[Page 69288]]

    (c) Payment eligibility criteria. To determine eligibility for 
payments, NRCS will use the criteria in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) 
of this section:
    (1) The provisions in 7 CFR part 1400, Payment Limitation and 
Payment Eligibility;
    (2) Except as otherwise set forth in this part, States, political 
subdivisions, and entities thereof are not considered to be producers 
eligible for payment;
    (3) In accordance with 7 CFR part 1400, an applicant applying as a 
joint operation or legal entity must provide a list of all members of 
the legal entity and joint operation and associated embedded entities, 
along with the members' tax identification numbers and percentage 
interest in the joint operation or legal entity, which all legal 
entities or persons applying, either alone or as part of a joint 
operation, must provide to be eligible to receive an EQIP payment;
    (4) Contracts with Indian Tribes are not subject to payment or 
contract limitations, provided that--
    (i) Indian Tribes certify in writing that no one individual, 
directly or indirectly, will receive more than the payment limitation,
    (ii) Certification provided at the time of enrollment covers the 
entire contract period, and
    (iii) The Tribal entity provides, upon request from NRCS, a listing 
of individuals and payment made, by Social Security number or other 
unique identification number, during the previous year for calculation 
of overall payment limitations, with the conditions in paragraphs 
(c)(4)(iii)(A) through (C) of this section:
    (A) Payment limitations apply to individual Tribal member(s) when 
applying and subsequently being granted a contract as an individual(s);
    (B) American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders may use 
another unique identification number for each individual eligible for 
payment; and
    (C) Any individual Tribal member who is identified utilizing a 
unique identification number as an alternative to a tax identification 
number will utilize only that identifier for all contracts to which the 
individual Tribal member receives a payment directly or indirectly;
    (5) Any cooperative association of producers that markets 
commodities for producers is not eligible for payment;
    (6) NRCS will confirm eligibility for payments in accordance with 7 
CFR part 1400, subpart F, Average Adjusted Gross Income Limitation, 
prior to contract approval;
    (7) To be eligible for payments for conservation practices related 
to organic production or the transition to organic production:
    (i) Participants who are USDA certified organic producers will 
implement conservation practices that are consistent with an approved 
organic system plan (OSP), and
    (ii) Participants who are transitioning to organic production 
(including participants who are exempt from certification as defined by 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990) will develop an OSP and 
implement conservation practices that are consistent with OSP 
requirements and purposes of the program;
    (8) A participant is not eligible for payments for conservation 
practices on eligible land if the participant receives payments or 
other benefits for the same practice to address the same resource 
concern on the same land under any other conservation program 
administered by USDA; and
    (9) Before NRCS approves and issues any EQIP payment, the 
participant must certify that the conservation practice has been 
completed in accordance with contract requirements, and NRCS or an 
approved TSP must certify that the practice has been carried out in 
accordance with the applicable NRCS FOTG technical standards.
    (d) Advance payments. (1) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this 
section, with respect to participants who are historically underserved 
producers, NRCS may issue advance payments of at least 50 percent and 
not to exceed 100 percent of the anticipated amount of the costs 
incurred for the purpose of purchasing materials or services to 
implement a conservation practice.
    (2) Eligibility for advance payment is contingent upon the 
requirement that the participant obtain an NRCS-approved practice 
design prior to approval of the advance payment.
    (3) The participant must expend advanced funds for practice 
implementation within 90 days from receipt of funds or return the funds 
to NRCS within a reasonable time as determined by NRCS.


Sec.  1466.25   Contract modifications and transfers of contract 
rights.

    (a) NRCS may modify a contract, if--
    (1) The participant agrees to the modification; and
    (2) NRCS determines the modified contract continues to meet the 
purposes of the program.
    (b) NRCS may approve a transfer of the contract if--
    (1) NRCS receives written notice that identifies the new producer 
who will take control of the acreage, as required in paragraph (e) of 
this section;
    (2) The new producer meets program eligibility requirements within 
a reasonable time frame, as specified in the EQIP contract;
    (3) The new producer agrees to assume the rights and 
responsibilities for the acreage under the contract; and
    (4) NRCS determines that the purposes of the program will continue 
to be met despite the original participant's losing control of all or a 
portion of the land under contract.
    (c)(1) Until NRCS approves the transfer of contract rights, the 
transferee is not a participant in the program and may not receive 
payment for a conservation practice commenced prior to approval of the 
contract transfer.
    (2) For contract payment purposes, NRCS will consider the 
transferor to be the participant to whom payments will be made for 
conservation practices implemented during the pendency of the approval 
of contract transfer.
    (d) NRCS may terminate the entire contract if, within the time 
specified in the contract, a participant does not provide NRCS with 
written notice regarding any voluntary or involuntary loss of control 
of any acreage under the EQIP contract, which includes changes in a 
participant's ownership structure or corporate form.
    (e) Unless NRCS receives timely notice of a loss of control and 
approves a transfer of contract rights, a participant losing control of 
any acreage will constitute a violation of the EQIP contract and NRCS 
may terminate the contract and require a participant to refund all or a 
portion of any financial assistance provided.
    (f) NRCS may not approve a contract transfer and may terminate the 
contract in its entirety if NRCS determines that the loss of control is 
voluntary, the new producer is not eligible or willing to assume 
responsibilities under the contract (including payment rate 
eligibility), or the purposes of the program cannot be met.
    (g) In the event a conservation practice fails through no fault of 
the participant, NRCS may issue payments to reestablish the practice, 
at the rates established in accordance with Sec.  1466.23, provided 
such payments do not exceed the payment limitation requirements as set 
forth in Sec.  1466.24.
    (h) In the case of death, incompetency, or disappearance of any 
participant, NRCS may, as identified in the EQIP contract--
    (1) Terminate the contract;
    (2) Make any payments due under this part pursuant to guidance 
under applicable provisions of 7 CFR parts 707 and 1400 (including 
payment to successor(s)); or

[[Page 69289]]

    (3) Take any further action that the Chief determines is fair and 
reasonable in light of all of the circumstances.


Sec.  1466.26   Contract violations and terminations.

    (a) NRCS may terminate a contract--
    (1) Without the consent of the participant where NRCS determines 
that the participant violated the contract; or
    (2) With the consent of the participant if NRCS determines that the 
termination is in the public interest.
    (b)(1) NRCS may allow a participant in a contract terminated in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section to 
retain a portion of any payments received appropriate to the effort the 
participant has made to comply with the contract, or in cases of 
hardship, when forces beyond the participant's control prevented 
compliance with the contract.
    (2) The condition that is the basis for the participant's inability 
to comply with the contract must not have existed at the time the 
contract was executed by the participant.
    (3) If a participant believes that such a hardship condition 
exists, the participant may submit a request with NRCS for relief 
pursuant to this paragraph and any such request must contain 
documentation sufficient for NRCS to make a determination that this 
hardship condition exists.
    (c)(1) If NRCS determines that a participant is in violation of the 
terms of a contract, O&M agreement, or documents incorporated by 
reference into the contract, NRCS may give the participant a reasonable 
period of time, as determined by NRCS, to correct the violation and 
comply with the terms of the contract and attachments thereto.
    (2) If a participant continues to be in violation after such 
reasonable time, NRCS may terminate the EQIP contract in accordance 
with Sec.  1466.26(f).
    (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this 
section, a contract termination is effective immediately upon a 
determination by NRCS that the participant--
    (1) Submitted false information or filed a false claim;
    (2) Engaged in any act, scheme, or device for which a finding of 
ineligibility for payments is permitted under the provisions of Sec.  
1466.35; or
    (3) Incurred a violation of the contract provisions that cannot be 
corrected in a timeframe established by NRCS.
    (e) If NRCS terminates a contract due to breach of contract, the 
participant forfeits all rights to future payments under the contract, 
pay liquidated damages, and refund all or part of the payments 
received, plus interest.
    (1) NRCS may require a participant to provide only a partial refund 
of the payments received if a previously installed conservation 
practice can function independently and is not adversely affected by 
the violation or the absence of other conservation practices that would 
have been installed under the contract.
    (2) NRCS may reduce or waive the liquidated damages depending upon 
the circumstances of the case.
    (3) When terminating a contract, NRCS may reduce the amount of 
money owed by the participant by a proportion that reflects the good 
faith effort of the participant to comply with the contract or the 
existence of hardships beyond the participant's control that have 
prevented compliance with the contract.
    (4) Any participant whose EQIP contract is terminated under 
paragraph (d) of this section may be subject to debarment or suspension 
under 7 CFR part 1407.
    (f) NRCS may terminate a contract that provides payments to a 
participant for conservation practices related to organic production, 
if NRCS determines that the participant is not implementing practices 
according to provisions of the contract agreement or does not meet 
provisions of this part.

Subpart C--Conservation Innovation


Sec.  1466.30   Definitions.

    In addition to the terms defined in Sec.  1466.3, the definitions 
in this section apply to this subpart:
    Eligible entity means, as determined by NRCS:
    (1) A third-party private entity the primary business of which is 
related to agriculture;
    (2) A nongovernmental organization with experience working with 
agricultural producers; or
    (3) A governmental organization.
    Grant agreement means a document describing a relationship between 
NRCS and a State or local government, or other recipient whenever the 
principal purpose of the relationship is the transfer of a thing of 
value to a recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose of support 
or stimulation authorized by Federal law and substantial Federal 
involvement is not anticipated.
    Grant Review Board consists of representatives of NRCS staff as 
determined by the Chief.
    On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trial (OFCIT) agreement means an 
agreement that governs the relationship between NRCS and the 
participant for the purposes of OFCIT implementation. An OFCIT 
agreement may be between either NRCS and a producer or NRCS and an 
eligible entity.
    On-farm conservation research means an investigation conducted to 
answer a specified conservation-related question using a statistically 
valid design, while employing farm-scale equipment on farm fields.
    Project means the activities as defined within the scope of the 
grant agreement or cooperative agreement.
    Project director means the individual responsible for the technical 
direction and management of the project as designated in the 
application.
    Technical Peer Review Panel means a panel consisting of Federal and 
non-Federal technical advisors who possess expertise in a discipline or 
disciplines deemed important to provide a technical evaluation of 
project proposals submitted under the funding opportunity announcement.


Sec.  1466.31   Purpose and scope.

    (a) The purpose of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is to 
stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation 
approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in 
environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with 
agricultural production. Notwithstanding any limitation of this part, 
NRCS administers CIG in accordance with this subpart. Unless otherwise 
provided for in this subpart, grants under CIG are subject to the 
provisions of 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
    (b) Applications for CIG are accepted from the 50 States, District 
of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands of the 
United States, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands.
    (c) NRCS may award grants to applicants either through a national 
competition or, at the Chief's discretion, separate State-level 
components, either of which may be offered multiple times each fiscal 
year.
    (d) Applications for CIG should propose innovative projects or 
activities that--
    (1) Demonstrate the use of innovative approaches and technologies 
to leverage Federal investment in environmental enhancement and 
protection, in conjunction with agricultural production;
    (2) Promote innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot 
projects and field demonstrations of promising approaches or 
technologies;
    (3) Lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management 
systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into

[[Page 69290]]

NRCS technical manuals and guides or to the private sector.
    (e) For NRCS to consider a proposal eligible for CIG funding, the 
applicant must clearly demonstrate the innovative features of the 
proposed technology or approach.
    (f) An applicant may demonstrate the innovative features of the 
proposed technology or approach through a variety of means, such as by 
establishing that it--
    (1) Uses a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to 
indicate a high probability for success;
    (2) Demonstrates, evaluates, and verifies the effectiveness, 
utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation 
technologies and approaches in the field;
    (3) Adapts and transfers conservation technologies, management, 
practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve 
performance and encourage adoption; or
    (4) Introduces proven conservation technologies and approaches to a 
geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or 
approach is not currently in use.
    (g) Projects or activities under CIG shall comply with all 
applicable Federal, Tribal, State, and local laws and regulations 
throughout the duration of the project.


Sec.  1466.32   Conservation innovation grant funding.

    (a) General guidelines. The guidelines in paragraphs (a)(1) through 
(5) of this section apply for national-level CIG awards:
    (1) CIG funding is available for single- or multi-year projects.
    (2) The Chief will determine the funding level for CIG on an annual 
basis.
    (3) CIG funding is made available from EQIP funds made available 
for EQIP.
    (4) The Chief may establish funding limits for individual grants.
    (5) The Chief will publicly announce funding for CIG.
    (b) Project or activity funding. (1) Selected applicants may 
receive grants or cooperative agreements of up to 50 percent of the 
total project cost, not to exceed the federal project cap.
    (2) Applicants must provide non-federal funding at least equal to 
the amount of federal funds requested.
    (3) Non-federal funds must be derived from cash or in-kind sources.
    (c) Limitation to funding technical assistance. CIG provides 
financial assistance to grantees. Procurement of any technical 
assistance to agricultural producers required to carry out a project is 
the responsibility of the grantee. A Federal technical representative 
designated by NRCS will provide technical oversight for grant projects.
    (d) Set-aside. NRCS may set aside up to 10 percent of the total 
funds available for CIG for applications from historically underserved 
producers, or a community-based organization comprised of, 
representing, or exclusively working with these producers on a CIG 
project.


Sec.  1466.33   Conservation innovation grant administration.

    (a) CIG applications must describe the use of innovative approaches 
or technologies to address announced national or State program 
priorities.
    (b) NRCS may consider as eligible for CIG any individual or non-
federal entity; however, all agricultural producers receiving a direct 
or indirect payment through participation in a CIG project to address 
announced national or State program priorities must--
    (1) Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland 
conservation provisions of 7 CFR part 12;
    (2) Be a producer as determined by NRCS; and
    (3) Have control of the land for the term of the proposed contract 
unless an exception is made by the Chief in the case of land 
administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian lands, or 
other instances in which the Chief determines that there is sufficient 
assurance of control.
    (c) NRCS will annually publish detailed guidance on how to apply 
for the grants competition(s) to address announced national or State 
program priorities.


Sec.  1466.34   Award determinations.

    (a) A peer review panel evaluates completed applications based on 
the application evaluation criteria that address announced national or 
State program priorities.
    (b) The peer review panel forwards compiled application evaluations 
to a Grant Review Board (Board).
    (c) The Board reviews the peer review panel evaluations and 
considers review comments from State Conservationists. The Board then 
makes recommendations for awards to the Chief, who makes final 
selections.
    (d) The NRCS National Headquarters makes a grant or cooperative 
agreement award after the Chief selects a grantee and the grantee 
agrees to the terms and conditions of the NRCS grant or cooperative 
agreement document.


Sec.  1466.35   State-level conservation innovation grant component.

    (a) NRCS has the option of implementing a State-level CIG 
component. Except as otherwise indicated of this section, State-level 
CIG awards follows the requirements of this subpart for national-level 
CIG awards.
    (b) Funding availability, application, and submission information 
for State competitions are announced through public notices separately 
from the national program and emphasize projects that cover limited 
geographic areas including individual farms, multicounty areas, or 
small watersheds.
    (c) The State Conservationist determines the funding level for the 
State CIG competition and creates a review process for applications 
that considers various relevant criteria, including any potential 
conflicts of interest.
    (d) NRCS may choose to adhere to the CIG national priorities or 
select other priority resource concerns.


Sec.  1466.36   Intellectual property.

    (a) This section applies to all CIG awardees under this subpart.
    (b) Allocation of rights to patents and inventions shall be in 
accordance with 2 CFR part 200.
    (c) Small businesses may retain the principal worldwide patent 
rights to any invention developed with the support of USDA.
    (d) USDA may--
    (1) Receive a royalty-free license for Federal Government use,
    (2) Reserve the right to require the patentee to license others in 
certain circumstances, and
    (3) Require that anyone exclusively licensed to sell the invention 
in the United States must normally manufacture it domestically.


Sec.  1466.37   On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of the On-Farm Conservation Innovation 
Trials (OFCIT) under this section is for NRCS to facilitate and 
incentivize experimentation and testing of new and innovative 
conservation approaches on farms in a diversity of geographic regions 
and on multiple scales.
    (b) Eligibility determinations. When determining eligibility for a 
private or nongovernmental organization, whether or not that 
organization is operated for profit, to enroll in OFCIT, NRCS may 
consider multiple factors including--
    (1) The extent to which the organization conducts business that is 
related to agriculture;
    (2) The quantity and quality of experience the organization has 
working with agricultural producers; or

[[Page 69291]]

    (3) Other factors related to the organization's likelihood to 
succeed or the proposed trial's likelihood to fulfill the purpose of 
OFCIT, as determined by the Chief.
    (c) Agreements with eligible entities. An OFCIT agreement with an 
eligible entity shall contain provisions indicating how NRCS or the 
eligible entity shall provide technical assistance to producers.
    (d) Innovation determinations. Notwithstanding any limitation in 
Sec.  1466.31(f) of this subpart, when determining whether to approve 
of a proposed conservation approach as new or innovative, NRCS may 
consider multiple factors including--
    (1) The extent to which the proposed conservation approach makes 
use of new or innovative conservation practices, systems, or 
technology;
    (2) The extent to which the proposed conservation approach applies 
conservation practices, systems, or technology in new or innovative 
ways, geographic regions, or agricultural sectors; or
    (3) The extent to which the proposed conservation approach uses new 
or innovative processes or financing for implementing conservation 
practices or activities.
    (e) Requirements for producers. When considering whether to enroll 
the land of a producer under an OFCIT agreement, NRCS first determines 
that--
    (1) The participating producer complies with the highly erodible 
land and wetland conservation provisions of 7 CFR part 12;
    (2) The producer controls the land for the term of the proposed 
OFCIT agreement, unless an exception is made by the Chief in the case 
of land administered by the BIA, Indian lands, or other instances in 
which the Chief determines that there is sufficient assurance of 
control;
    (3) The producer is within the income limitations set forth in part 
1400, subpart F of this chapter; and
    (4) The land subject to the project proposal meets the definition 
of eligible land under Sec.  1466.3.
    (f) Restriction on administrative cost. None of the funds made 
available to carry out this section may be used to pay for the 
administrative expenses of an eligible entity.
    (g) OFCIT agreement period. (1) An OFCIT agreement shall be for a 
period of at least 3 years, unless the Chief determines that a longer 
period is necessary.
    (2) The contract period in excess of 3 years shall be no longer 
than reasonably and foreseeably necessary to fulfill the purpose of 
OFCIT, as determined by the Chief.
    (3) When determining whether to set a contract period longer than 3 
years, NRCS shall consider whether such a period is appropriate 
including whether the period supports--
    (i) Adaptive management over multiple crops years; and
    (ii) Adequate data collection and analysis by a producer or 
eligible entity to report the natural resource and agricultural 
production benefits of the new or innovative conservation approaches to 
the Secretary.
    (h) Data collection. For all OFCIT contracts, NRCS shall ensure 
that appropriate data is collected and analyzed while respecting 
relevant privacy safeguards by transforming the data into statistical 
or aggregated form so as not to include any identifiable or personal 
information of individual producers.
    (i) OFCIT payments. Pursuant to an OFCIT agreement, NRCS may 
provide--
    (1) Technical assistance to a participating producer or eligible 
entity with respect to the design, installation, and management of the 
new or innovative conservation approaches;
    (2) Technical assistance to a participating eligible entity with 
respect to data analyses of the OFCIT; and
    (3) Financial assistance to a participating producer (either 
directly or through an eligible entity) that may include payments to 
compensate for income foregone, as appropriate to address the increased 
economic risk potentially associated with new or innovative 
conservation approaches:
    (j) Absence of payment limitation. Neither the contract payment 
limitation set forth in Sec.  1466.22 nor the aggregate payment 
limitation set forth in Sec.  1466.24 shall apply to OFCIT agreements.


Sec.  1466.38   Soil Health Demonstration trial.

    (a) The Soil Health Demonstration (SHD) shall make use of the OFCIT 
process, including eligibility requirements, and funding set forth in 
Sec.  1466.37 to provide incentives to producers to implement 
conservation practices that improve soil health, increase carbon levels 
in the soil, or both.
    (b) In carrying out SHD, NRCS shall coordinate with eligible 
entities to establish protocols for measuring carbon levels in the soil 
and testing carbon levels on land where conservation practices 
described in paragraph (a) of this section were applied to evaluate 
gains in soil health as a result of the practices implemented by the 
producers in the soil health demonstration trial.
    (c) For each SHD contract, NRCS shall ensure that appropriate data 
is collected and analyzed while respecting relevant privacy safeguards 
by transforming the data into statistical or aggregated form so as not 
to include any identifiable or personal information of individual 
producers.

Subpart D--Incentive Contracts


Sec.  1466.40   High priority areas.

    (a) The Chief shall, in consultation with the State Technical 
Committee, develop a set of high priority areas for each State.
    (b) The set of high priority areas described in paragraph (a) of 
this section must encompass every region within the State.
    (c) A high priority area may encompass an entire State or overlap 
with other high priority areas such that a given parcel of land may 
exist in multiple high priority areas.
    (d) The Chief, in consultation with the State Technical Committee, 
shall identify up to three priority resource concerns for each land use 
within a given high priority area.
    (e) An identification under paragraph (d) of this section of a 
priority resource concern for one land use shall not preclude NRCS from 
identifying the same priority resource concern for a different land use 
within the same high priority area.
    (f) NRCS shall identify which practices qualify as incentive 
practices for each land use within each high priority area based on the 
priority resource concern(s) identified for that land use.
    (g) NRCS shall make public all determinations made under this 
section.


Sec.  1466.41   Incentive contract selection.

    (a) NRCS will give priority to applications that address eligible 
priority resource concerns identified under Sec.  1466.40.
    (b) NRCS will evaluate applications relative to other applications 
for similar agriculture and forest operations.
    (c) NRCS shall not select an application for an incentive contract 
that does not contain at least one qualifying incentive practice as 
identified under Sec.  1466.40.


Sec.  1466.42   Incentive contract requirements.

    (a) Requirement for a contract. (1) In order for a participant to 
receive incentive payments, the participant must enter into an 
incentive contract agreeing to implement one or more incentive 
practices.
    (2) Payment for technical services may be included in the contract 
pursuant to requirements of this part.

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    (b) Incentive contract terms. An incentive contract will--
    (1) Identify all incentive practices to be implemented, the timing 
of practice installation, responsibilities of the participant, the O&M 
requirements for the practices, and applicable payments allocated to 
the practices under the contract;
    (2) Have a period as set forth in Sec.  1466.43;
    (3) Specify any other provision determined necessary or appropriate 
by NRCS to achieve the technical requirements of a practice or purposes 
of the program.
    (c) Termination of the incentive contract. NRCS may terminate an 
incentive contract consistent with the provisions of Sec.  1466.26.


Sec.  1466.43   Incentive contract period.

    (a) NRCS shall apply science-based criteria to determine an 
appropriate contract period to achieve desired conservation benefits.
    (b) The period determined as appropriate under paragraph (a) of 
this section shall not be less than 5 years nor exceed 10 years.


Sec.  1466.44   Incentive payment rates and restrictions.

    (a) Aggregate payment limitation. (1) Notwithstanding the payment 
limitation in Sec.  1466.24, the total amount of payments paid to a 
person or legal entity under this subpart, during the period of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023, may not exceed an aggregate of $200,000, 
directly or indirectly.
    (2) Payments received for technical assistance will be excluded 
from the limitation in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (3) The limitation in paragraph (a)(1) of this section cannot be 
waived.
    (b) Restrictions and exceptions. Except as otherwise indicated in 
paragraph (a) of this section, incentive contracts are subject to the 
payment restrictions and exceptions as set forth in Sec.  1466.24.
    (c) Implementation payments. The payment rates for implementation 
of incentive practices shall be identical to the payment rates for 
practice implementation as set forth in Sec.  1466.23.
    (d) Annual payments. In addition to the payment for implementation 
set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, NRCS may award annual 
payments through incentive contracts to compensate the participant for 
up to 100 percent of the costs of--
    (1) O&M of the incentive practice; and
    (2) Income foregone by the participant, including payments to 
address, as appropriate--
    (i) Increased economic risk,
    (ii) Loss in revenue due to anticipated reductions in yield, and
    (iii) Economic losses during transition to a resource-conserving 
cropping system, resource-conserving crop rotation, or resource-
conserving land uses.

Subpart E--General Administration


Sec.  1466.50   Appeals.

    A participant may obtain administrative review of an adverse 
decision under EQIP in accordance with 7 CFR parts 11 and 614. 
Determination in matters of general applicability, such as payment 
rates, payment limits, the designation of identified priority resource 
concerns, and eligible conservation practices are not subject to 
appeal.


Sec.  1466.51   Compliance with regulatory measures.

    Participants who carry out conservation practices will be 
responsible for obtaining the authorities, rights, easements, permits, 
or other approvals necessary for the implementation, operation, and 
maintenance of the conservation practices in keeping with applicable 
laws and regulations. Participants will be responsible for compliance 
with all laws and for all effects or actions resulting from the 
participant's performance under the contract.


Sec.  1466.52   Access to operating unit.

    An authorized NRCS representative will have the right to enter land 
under an NRCS conservation program contract for the purposes of 
determining eligibility and for ascertaining the accuracy of any 
representations related to contract performance. Access will include 
the right to provide technical assistance, determine eligibility, 
inspect any work undertaken under the contract, and collect information 
necessary to evaluate the conservation practice performance specified 
in the contract. The NRCS representative will make an effort to contact 
the participant prior to the exercising this provision.


Sec.  1466.53   Equitable relief.

    (a) If a participant relied upon the advice or action of an 
authorized NRCS representative and did not know, or have reason to 
know, that the action or advice was improper or erroneous, NRCS may 
accept the advice or action as meeting program requirements and may 
grant relief, to the extent it is deemed desirable by NRCS, to provide 
a fair and equitable treatment because of the good-faith reliance on 
the part of the participant. The financial or technical liability for 
any action by a participant that was taken based on the advice of an 
NRCS certified non-USDA TSP is the responsibility of the certified TSP 
and will not be assumed by NRCS when NRCS authorizes payment. Where a 
participant believes that detrimental reliance on the advice or action 
of an NRCS representative resulted in ineligibility or a program 
violation, but the participant believes that a good-faith effort to 
comply was made, the participant may request equitable relief under 7 
CFR 635.3.
    (b) If, during the term of an EQIP contract, a participant has been 
found in violation of a provision of the EQIP contract, the O&M 
agreement, or any document incorporated by reference through failure to 
fully comply with that provision, the participant may be eligible for 
equitable relief under 7 CFR 635.4.
    (c) NRCS reserves the right to correct all errors in entering data 
or the results of computations in an EQIP contract. If a participant 
does not agree to such corrections, NRCS shall terminate the contract.


Sec.  1466.54   Offsets and assignments.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, any 
payment or portion thereof to any person, joint venture, legal entity, 
or Tribe will be made without regard to questions of this title under 
State law and without regard to any claim or lien against the crop, or 
proceeds thereof, in favor of the owner or any other creditor except 
agencies of the U.S. Government. The regulations governing offsets and 
withholdings found at part 1403 of this chapter will be applicable to 
contract payments.
    (b) EQIP participants may assign any payments in accordance with 
part 1404 of this chapter.


Sec.  1466.55   Misrepresentation and scheme or device.

    (a) A person, joint operation, legal entity, or Indian Tribe that 
is determined to have erroneously represented any fact affecting a 
program determination made in accordance with this part will not be 
entitled to contract payments and must refund to NRCS all payments, 
plus interest, determined in accordance with 7 CFR part 1403.
    (b) A producer who is determined to have knowingly--
    (1) Adopted any scheme or device that tends to defeat the purpose 
of the program;
    (2) Made any fraudulent representation;
    (3) Adopted any scheme or device for the purpose of depriving any 
tenant or sharecropper of the payments to which

[[Page 69293]]

such person would otherwise be entitled under the program; or
    (4) Misrepresented any fact affecting a program determination, will 
refund to NRCS all payments, plus interest, determined in accordance 
with 7 CFR part 1403, received by such producer with respect to all 
contracts. The producer's interest in all contracts will be terminated.


Sec.  1466.56   Environmental credits for conservation improvements.

    (a) A participant in EQIP may achieve environmental benefits that 
may qualify for environmental credits under an environmental credit-
trading program. NRCS asserts no direct or indirect interest on these 
credits. However, NRCS retains the authority to ensure that EQIP 
purposes are met. In addition, any requirements or standards of an 
environmental market program in which an EQIP participant 
simultaneously enrolls to receive environmental credits must be 
compatible with the purposes and requirements of the EQIP contract and 
with this part.
    (b) The participant must meet all O&M requirements for EQIP-funded 
activities, consistent with Sec. Sec.  1466.21 and 1466.22. Where 
activities required under an environmental credit agreement may affect 
the land and conservation practices under an EQIP contract, NRCS 
recommends that EQIP participants request assistance with the 
development of a compatibility assessment prior to entering into any 
credit agreement. The EQIP contract may be modified in accordance with 
policies outlined in Sec.  1466.25, provided the modification meets 
EQIP purposes and is in compliance with this part.
    (c) EQIP participants may not use EQIP funds to implement 
conservation practices and activities that the participant is required 
to establish as a result of a court order. EQIP funds may not be used 
to satisfy any mitigation requirement for which the EQIP participant is 
responsible.

Kevin Norton,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Robert Stephenson,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2019-26872 Filed 12-16-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-16-P