Revision of Delegations of Authority, 65500-65524 [2020-20092]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 200 (Thursday, October 15, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65500-65524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20092]



[[Page 65499]]

Vol. 85

Thursday,

No. 200

October 15, 2020

Part III





Department of Agriculture





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7 CFR Part 2





Revision of Delegations of Authority; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 200 / Thursday, October 15, 2020 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

7 CFR Part 2

RIN 0503-AA66


Revision of Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document revises the delegations of authority from the 
Secretary of Agriculture and general officers of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) to reflect changes and additions to the delegations 
required by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and for other 
purposes, as summarized below.

DATES: Effective October 15, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa McClellan, Office of the 
General Counsel, (202) 720-5565, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule makes several changes to the 
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) delegations of 
authority in 7 CFR part 2 by adding new delegations and modifying 
existing delegations.

Overview of Changes

A. Under Secretary for Rural Development and Principal Deputy Chief 
Financial Officer

    Section 12407 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 
115-334) amended Section 231 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941) to direct the Secretary to 
establish the position of Under Secretary for Rural Development (RD) as 
a permanent Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position. The 
Secretary implemented this provision on August 12, 2019 by establishing 
the position of Under Secretary for RD and transferring the delegations 
of authority at 7 CFR 2.17, previously delegated to the Assistant to 
the Secretary for Rural Development, to the Under Secretary for RD, and 
realigning the agencies and entities of the RD mission area to report 
to the Under Secretary for RD. See SM 1076-031 available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-031. The 
Secretary also reestablished the position of Deputy Under Secretary for 
RD and delegated to this position the authority to perform all the 
duties delegated to the Under Secretary for RD during the absence or 
unavailability of the Under Secretary. This rule accordingly updates 
the references to the former position of Assistant to the Secretary for 
Rural Development throughout part 2 to read ``Under Secretary for Rural 
Development,'' and adds a new section of delegations by the Under 
Secretary for RD to the Deputy Under Secretary for RD at 2.45.
    In the same Secretary's Memorandum, the Secretary established a new 
position, Principal Deputy Chief Financial Officer. This rule revises 
the delegations of authority at 2.500 to reflect that the authorities 
previously delegated to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer have been 
transferred to the Principal Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

B. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018

    The Secretary previously delegated authorities under the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (``the Act'') in Secretary's 
Memorandum 1076-030 (July 1, 2019), available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-030. This rule 
codifies those delegations and makes other changes to existing 
delegations required by the Act, as follows. Note that delegations of 
authority made by SM 1076-030 to conduct or prepare a one-time study, 
report, economic analysis, or similar activity remain in effect until 
such study, report, economic analysis, or similar activity is completed 
and are not reflected in this rulemaking.
    Section 1203 of Title I of the Act amends section 1207(c) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9037) to rename the Economic 
Adjustment Assistance to Users of Upland Cotton as ``Economic 
Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills,'' and revises Section 1207(c) 
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8737) to 
remove a redundant authority. This Rule revises the delegations of 
authority for the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs 
(MRP) at 2.22 and the Administrator for the Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) at 2.79 to reflect that the Secretary transferred 
responsibility for administering this program from the Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) Deputy Administrator, Commodity Operations to the AMS 
Warehouse and Commodity Management Division as part of a Departmental 
reorganization in November 2017.
    Section 1204 of the Act extends the authority for the Special 
Competitive Provisions for Extra Long Staple Cotton program at Section 
1208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9038) through 2024 and 
revises the loan rate triggering payment. This rule revises the 
delegations of authority for the Under Secretary MRP and the 
Administrator for AMS to reflect that the Secretary transferred 
responsibility for administering payments under subsections (c) and (d) 
of this authority from FSA to the AMS Warehouse and Commodity 
Management Division as part of a Departmental reorganization in 
November 2017. FSA continues to perform responsibilities under 7 U.S.C. 
9038 under its general delegation of authority to administer programs 
of the Commodity Credit Corporation at 2.42(a)(45), through the Under 
Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) at 
2.16(a)(1)(xxv).
    Section 1601 amends section 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) concerning the 
noninsured crop assistance program (NAP). FSA continues to administer 
NAP under its general delegation of authority to administer programs of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation. This rule revises the delegations of 
authority to the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency (RMA) at 
2.44, through the Under Secretary of FPAC, to include the authority to 
coordinate with the Administrator of FSA on the type and format of data 
collected under NAP to ensure that the data is available and useful in 
developing policies and plans offered under the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act.
    Section 2301 of Title II of the Act made a number of amendments to 
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
which resulted in changes to the existing statutory citations for 
conservation authorities delegated to the Chief of the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at 2.43, through the Under 
Secretary for FPAC. This rule revises the delegations of authority for 
NRCS and FPAC to reflect the updated citations. In addition, this rule 
adds new delegations of authority for FPAC and NRCS for the feral swine 
eradication and control program authorized under section 2408 of the 
Act.
    This rule revises the delegations of authority to the Under 
Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA) at 2.26 and 
the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at 2.601 to 
include delegations for the following new authorities under Title III 
of the Act: Section 3307 (International Agricultural Education and 
Fellowship Program); section 3308 (International Food Security 
Technical Assistance); and section 3312 (Foreign Trade Missions).
    The rule also revises the delegations of authority to the Director 
of the Office

[[Page 65501]]

of Tribal Relations (OTR) at 2.701, through the Director of the Office 
of Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) at 2.38, to 
include the authority to consult with the Under Secretary for TFAA on 
the implementation of section 3312 of the Act to support greater 
inclusion of Tribal agricultural food products in Federal trade 
activities. The Director of OTR continues to advise the Secretary on 
matters of policy related to Indian tribes and to serve as the primary 
point of contact in accessing Department-wide information regarding 
tribal issues.
    Title IV of the Act provides three new authorities that require 
delegations. Section 4021 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to 
authorize pilot projects to encourage the use of public-private 
partnerships committed to addressing food insecurity. This rule adds a 
new delegation of authority for the Director of the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at 2.66, through the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics (REE) at 2.21, to administer this 
program in consultation with the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, 
and Consumer Services (FNCS) and Administrator of the Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS). Section 4206 authorizes a micro-grant program 
to increase food security, which is delegated to the Under Secretary 
for MRP and the Administrator of AMS. This rule also revises the 
delegations of the Under Secretary for FNCS at 2.19 and the 
Administrator of FNS at 2.57 to include a new authority under section 
4208 of the Act for health fluid milk incentive projects.
    Sections 4018 and 4104 of the Act makes several changes to the 
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (EFAA). The authority to 
administer the EFAA is covered by existing delegations to the Under 
Secretary for FNCS and the Administrator of FNS; this rule revises 
those delegations to reflect that the EFAA has been amended and to 
update the U.S. Code citation for the EFAA, which is now located at 7 
U.S.C. 7501 et seq.
    Title V of the Act, at section 5413, includes a new authority 
requiring the Secretary to submit to Congress on an annual basis a 
report describing certain characteristics of producers receiving farm 
loans and aspects of the loans for each State and county of the United 
States, and to submit to Congress every five years a comprehensive 
review of all annual reports. This authority has been delegated to the 
Under Secretary of FPAC and redelegated to the Administrator of FSA.
    Title VI of the Act, at section 6212, includes a new authority 
requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to assist in 
the verification of eligibility of the broadband loan and grant 
programs of the Department of Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 950bb-6). This rule 
revises the delegations of authority for the Under Secretary for Rural 
Development (formerly the Assistant to the Secretary for Rural 
Development) at 2.17 and the delegations of authority for the 
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at 2.47 to include 
this authority.
    Section 6302 of the Act is a new provision directing the Secretary, 
in coordination with the Office of Tribal Relations, to provide 
technical assistance to improve access by Tribal entities to rural 
development programs funded by the Department of Agriculture through 
available cooperative agreement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2671). This rule 
delegates this authority to the Under Secretary for RD at 2.17 and 
redelegates the authority to the Administrators of RUS, the Rural 
Business Cooperative Service (RBS), and the Rural Housing Service (RHS) 
at 2.47, 2.48, and 2.49, respectively. It also revises the delegations 
of authority to the Director of OTR to reflect this new authority.
    Section 6504 of the Act makes changes to the Rural Economic 
Development Loan and Grant program at sections 313 and 313B of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936. The authority to administer the 
grant programs had previously been delegated by the Under Secretary for 
RD to the Administrator of RBS at 2.48, and the general delegation of 
authority from the Under Secretary for RD to the RUS Administrator to 
administer the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 at 2.47 had expressly 
excluded the authority to administer the rural economic development 
loan and grant program. This rule revises the general delegation of 
authority to the RUS Administrator at 2.47(a)(1) to remove the 
exception for the administration of the rural economic development loan 
and grant program to reflect the Secretary's intent that the RUS 
Administrator have delegated authority for the program under the Rural 
Electrification Act.
    Subtitle A of Title VII of the Act adds several sections to the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 that require new delegations of authority. Section 7110 of the Act 
(7 U.S.C. 3158) authorizes a next generation agriculture technology 
challenge competition to incentivize mobile technology that removes 
marketplace entry barriers for beginning farmers and ranchers. Section 
7116 of the Act (7 U.S.C. 2207d) directs the Secretary to prepare an 
annual report for Congress on disbursements of funds for agricultural 
research and extension at 1890 and 1862 Institutions under specific 
program authorities. Section 7117 (7 U.S.C. 3222a) authorizes grants to 
1890 Institutions for purposes of awarding scholarships to individuals 
pursuing careers in the food and agricultural sciences, and section 
7120 (7 U.S.C. 3222e) authorizes competitive grants to land-grant 
colleges and universities to provide support for Tribal students. 
Section 7126 (7 U.S.C. 3310a) authorizes competitive grants for the 
acquisition of special purpose scientific research equipment for use in 
the food and agricultural sciences programs of eligible institutions. 
This rule revises the delegations to reflect that all these authorities 
are delegated to the Under Secretary for REE and redelegated to the 
Director of NIFA.
    Section 7123 of the Act (7 U.S.C. 3292) authorizes the Secretary to 
carry out several activities to promote cooperation and coordination 
between land grant institutions and international partner institutions 
in developing countries. This rule delegates the authority to carry out 
this section to the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service 
(ARS) at 2.65 and the Director of NIFA, through the Under Secretary for 
REE, in coordination with the Administrator of FAS through the Under 
Secretary for TFAA, on the placement of interns from covered 
institutions in developing countries.
    Section 7132 of the Act (7 U.S.C. 3319k) establishes a new pilot 
program, the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority 
(``AGARDA''), which includes the authority to award grants and enter 
into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions. The 
authority to administer the AGARDA program is delegated to the Under 
Secretary for REE.
    Section 7212 of the Act (7 U.S.C. 5925g) authorizes the Secretary 
to make competitive grants to support development of urban, indoor, and 
other emerging agricultural production activities. This authority is 
delegated to the NIFA Director through the Under Secretary for REE. 
Section 7501 of the Act amends two sections of the Critical 
Agricultural Materials Act; this rule updates the language accompanying 
the existing delegations to the Under Secretary for REE and NIFA 
Director for these authorities codified at 7 U.S.C. 178-178n.

[[Page 65502]]

    Section 7505 of the Act amends the Research Facilities Act to 
authorize a new competitive grant program to assist in the 
construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or 
remodeling of agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 390b). This 
authority is delegated to the Director of NIFA through the Under 
Secretary for REE.
    Section 7608 of the Act reauthorizes the Agriculture Innovation 
Center Demonstration Program under section 6402 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002. This rule revises the existing 
delegations of authority to the Under Secretary for RD at 2.17 and the 
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) at 2.48 to 
reflect that this authority has been editorially reclassified from 7 
U.S.C. 1621 note to 7 U.S.C. 1632b.
    Section 7611 of the Act renames the Agriculture Conservation 
Experienced Services (ACES) program authorized under section 1252 of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851) the ``Experienced 
Services Program'' and expands the authority to cover technical, 
professional, and administrative services to support the Research, 
Education, and Economics mission area of the Department. This rule adds 
new delegations of authority for the expanded program authority to the 
Under Secretary for REE and NIFA.
    Title VIII of the Act adds or amends several authorities requiring 
new delegations of authority. Section 8102 amends the Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to establish a competitive grant 
program to encourage science-based restoration of priority forest 
landscapes (16 U.S.C. 2109a). This authority is covered by the existing 
general delegations of authority to the Under Secretary for Natural 
Resources and Environment (NRE) and the Chief of the Forest Service at 
2.20 and 2.60, respectively, to administer programs of cooperative 
forestry assistance. This rule revises the delegations of authority for 
the Under Secretary for FPAC and the Chief of NRCS to add an authority 
for the program at 16 U.S.C. 2109a.
    Section 8623 authorizes the Secretary to lease administrative sites 
under the Secretary's jurisdiction. This rule revises the general 
delegations of authority to the Under Secretary for NRE and the Chief 
of the FS to acquire and dispose of Forest Service lands to add leasing 
authority. This rule also revises the delegations to the Under 
Secretary for FPAC and the Chief of NRCS to include the authority at 
Section 8628 of the Act related to the purchase of NRCS property in 
Riverside County, California by the Riverside Corona Resource 
Conservation District. The rule also delegates the new authority under 
Section 8643 of the Act to administer a wood innovation grant program 
(7 U.S.C. 7655d) to the Under Secretary for NRE and the Chief of the 
Forest Service.
    Section 8702 of the Act amends the Secure Rural Schools and 
Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125) to extend the 
Resource Advisory Committee functions and modify the membership 
requirements. This rule revises the delegations of authority to the 
Under Secretary for NRE and the Chief of the Forest Service to include 
the authority to administer the Secure Rural Schools payments to states 
program (16 U.S.C. 500; 16 U.S.C. 7101-7153); and to establish, 
maintain, and appoint members to Resource Advisory Committees (16 
U.S.C. 7125). The Secretary previously delegated the authority to the 
Under Secretary for NRE to appoint members to the Secure Rural Schools 
Resource Advisory Committees in a Secretary's Memorandum issued on 
November 28, 2019.
    Title IX of the Act at section 2009 amended the biobased market 
program authority at section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102) to direct the Secretary to 
administer the program through the Rural Development mission area, with 
the exception of the authority at subsection (g) related to the Forest 
Products Laboratory. This rule adds new delegations to the Under 
Secretary for RD and the Administrator of RBS to carry out this program 
and revokes the delegations of authority for this program for the 
Assistant Secretary for Administration and the Director, Office of 
Property and Fleet Management at 2.24 and 2.90. The delegated authority 
to the Under Secretary for RD and the Administrator of RBS to implement 
the biobased market program includes the authority to administer and 
amend the regulations related to this program currently located at 7 
CFR parts 3201 and 3202.
    Section 9011 of the Act establishes a carbon utilization and biogas 
education program. This rule adds a delegation of authority for 
Administrator of NIFA, through the Under Secretary for REE, to 
administer this new competitive grant program (7 U.S.C. 8115).
    Section 10102 of the Act establishes a new Local Agriculture Market 
Program authority that combines the Farmers' Market and Local Food 
Promotion Program formerly located at 7 U.S.C. 3005 and the value-added 
agricultural product market development grants formerly located at 7 
U.S.C. 1632a(b). The delegations of authority are revised to reflect 
that the Local Agriculture Market Program at 7 U.S.C. 1627c will be 
administered on a coordinated basis by the Under Secretary for RD, 
Administrator, RBS, Under Secretary for MRP, and Administrator, AMS.
    The delegations of authority of the Chief Economist (2.29) and the 
Director of the Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) (2.75) are 
revised to include the new authority at Section 10103 of the Act to 
conduct a multiple crop and pesticide use survey.
    Section 12105 of the Act amended the authority for the National 
Aquatic Health Plan under section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322). This rule amends the delegations of 
the Under Secretary of MRP and the Administrator of the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) (2.80) to include this 
cooperative agreement authority.
    Title XII provides two new authorities that are delegated to the 
Under Secretary for MRP and the Administrator of AMS: Section 12108 
(Regional Cattle and Carcass Grading Correlation and Training Centers) 
and section 12513 (Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives).
    Sections 12201 and 12202 of the Act move the authority for the 
Office of Homeland Security (OHS) from section 14111 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8911) to subtitle A of 
the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6922) and update the statutory authorities of OHS, including adding an 
agriculture and food threat awareness partnership program. OHS remains 
organizationally located in Departmental Administration, and this rule 
revises the delegations of the Assistant Secretary for Administration 
(ASA) at 2.24 and the Director, OHS at 2.95 to reflect the updated 
authorities in section 12202 of the Act.
    Section 12203 of the Act (7 U.S.C. 8914) provides authority for 
responding to plant and animal diseases or pests of concern. This rule 
delegates authority under 12203(b) to the Under Secretary for MRP and 
the APHIS Administrator; delegates authority under 12203(c) to the 
Under Secretary for REE and the NIFA Administrator; and delegates 
authority under 12203(d) to the Under Secretary for REE and the ARS 
Administrator.
    Section 12301 of the Act moves the authority for the beginning 
farmer and rancher development program established under section 7405 
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) 
to section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)

[[Page 65503]]

under the newly established ``Farmer Opportunities Training and 
Outreach'' subheading. This rule revises the delegations of the Under 
Secretary for REE and the NIFA Administrator to update the citation for 
the beginning farmer and rancher development program, which continues 
to be administered by NIFA. This rule also revises the delegations of 
authority for the Director of OPPE and the Director of the Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) to include updated citations for the 2501 
programs (7 U.S.C. 2279).
    Section 12302 of the Act amends the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 to include an Office of Urban Agriculture 
and Innovative Production (7 U.S.C. 6923). The Secretary established 
this office in the FPAC mission area, under the Chief of NRCS, in 
Secretary's Memorandum 1076-030. This rule revises the delegations of 
the Under Secretary for FPAC and the Chief, NRCS to include the 
authority to carry out the duties of this office.
    This rule revises the delegations of authority for the Director of 
OTR to include the authority to oversee the Tribal Advisory Committee 
established under Section 12303 of the Act as an amendment to section 
309 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.
    Title XII of the Act authorized the Secretary to create five new 
coordinator positions in the Department, which the Secretary 
established in SM 1076-030. This rule revises the delegations of 
authority to include the authority to carry out the duties of these 
positions as follows: The Under Secretary for FPAC and the 
Administrator, FSA (Section 12304, Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Coordinator); the Director, OPPE (Section 12305, Agricultural Youth 
Coordinator); the Under Secretary for RD (Section 12409, Rural Health 
Liaison); the Chief Economist (Section 12504, Food Loss and Waste 
Reduction Liaison); and the Under Secretary for FNCS and the 
Administrator, FNS (Section 12614, Food Access Liaison).
    Section 12403(a) of the Act requires the Secretary to conduct civil 
rights impact analyses in accordance with Departmental Regulation 4300-
004 issued on October 17, 2016, with respect to the Department's 
employment, federally conducted programs and activities, and federally 
assisted programs and activities. This authority is delegated to the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at 2.25.
    Section 12411 of the Act amends section 251 of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to update the name of the 
Research, Education, and Extension Office to the Office of the Chief 
Scientist, along with other amendments and corrections. This rule 
revises the delegations of authority to the Director, Office of the 
Chief Scientist at 2.69 to reflect the updated title.
    This rule revises the delegations of authority for the Under 
Secretary of RD at 2.17 and the Administrator of the Rural Housing 
Service (RHS) at 2.49 to include the new authority of the Secretary at 
Section 12502 of the Act, in consultation with the Department of 
Justice, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, to administer the emergency and transitional 
pet shelter and housing assistance grant program (34 U.S.C. 20127).
    Section 12508 of the Act establishes a program for recognizing 
``century farms,'' defined as farms that have been in continuous 
operation and owned by the same family for at least 100 years. This 
authority is delegated to the Under Secretary of FPAC and, at 2.41, to 
the Chief Operating Officer of the FPAC Business Center.
    Section 12510 of the Act codifies the Tribal Promise Zones program. 
This authority is delegated to the Director of OPPE at 2.38.
    Section 12511 of the Act establishes a Task Force for Reviewing the 
Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the 
United States. The Secretary's authority under this section is 
delegated to the Under Secretary for RD and the Administrator of RUS.
    This rule revises the delegations of authority to the Chief 
Economist at 2.29 and the Chairman of the World Agricultural Outlook 
Board at 2.72 to include the Secretary's authority under Section 12512 
of the Act related to improving the accuracy of the U.S. Drought 
Monitor.
    This rule also revises the delegations of authority to the Under 
Secretary of MRP and the Administrator, AMS to include the Secretary's 
authority under Section 12513 of the Act to carry out dairy business 
innovation initiatives.
    This rule revises the existing delegations of the Under Secretary 
for NRE and the Chief of the Forest Service to administer the Public 
Lands Corps program to include the new direct hire authority of the 
Secretary under Section 12518 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1726b).
    Section 12519 of the Act authorizes the Secretary to 
noncompetitively convert to an appointment in the competitive service a 
recent graduate or student who is a United States citizen and has been 
awarded and successfully completed a scholarship program granted to the 
individual by the Department through the 1890 National Scholars Program 
or the 1994 Tribal Scholars Program. This authority is delegated to the 
ASA at 2.24.
    Section 12520 of the Act authorizes the Department to employ law 
enforcement officers or special agents to carry out protection 
operations for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and other specified 
individuals, and authorizes the law enforcement officers or special 
agents to carry firearms and make arrests without a warrant for any 
offense against the United States committed in the presence of the law 
enforcement officer or special agent, among other duties. The Secretary 
delegates the authority to administer these protective detail 
activities to the Chief Security Director of the newly established 
Office of Safety, Security and Protection (OSSP) at 2.94 through the 
ASA.
    The rule revises the delegations of authority of the Under 
Secretary for MRP and the APHIS Administrator to include the authority 
at Section 12601 of the Act relating to baiting of migratory game 
birds.
    Section 12605 of the Act establishes a Citrus Trust Fund, funded by 
transfers from the Commodity Credit Corporation, to carry out the 
Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program under section 
412(j) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(j). The authority to administer the Citrus 
Trust Fund comes within the scope of the existing delegation to the 
Under Secretary of REE and the Administrator of NIFA to administer the 
Specialty Crop Research Initiative, so no revisions to the published 
delegations are needed.
    Section 12607(b) of the Act authorizes the Secretary to collect and 
report data and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and 
entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers. This authority is delegated to the Administrator 
of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) through the 
Under Secretary for REE.
    Finally, Section 12612 of the Act authorizes the Secretary to carry 
out a national agriculture imagery program, and Section 12615 
authorizes the Secretary to provide farm loan numbers for farm 
operators on ``heirs property,'' as defined by the Uniform Partition of 
Heirs Property Act. This rule revises the delegations to reflect that 
these authorities have been delegated to the Under Secretary for FPAC 
and the FSA Administrator.

[[Page 65504]]

C. Office of Safety, Security, and Protection

    On September 13, 2019, the Secretary established a new Office of 
Safety, Security, and Protection (OSSP) within Departmental 
Administration. See SM 1076-032 available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/sm1076-032-office-safety-security-and-protection-091319. OSSP 
is headed by a Chief Security Director who reports to the ASA. This 
rule adds a new section of delegations by the ASA to the Chief Security 
Director, OSSP at 2.94. In addition to the delegation for the 
protective services detail authorized by Section 12520 of the Act, 
described above, this rule also reflects that the following delegations 
of authority have been transferred to the Chief Security Director, 
OSSP: The delegations of the ASA previously delegated to the Director 
of OHS at 2.95 concerning the protection of physical facilities, and 
the delegations of the ASA previously delegated to the Director of the 
Office of Operations at 2.96 concerning maintenance of the physical 
security program at USDA facilities in the National Capital Region.

D. Realignment of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and the 
Departmental Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office

    In September 2019, the Secretary realigned the Office of the Chief 
Information Officer (OCIO) from its previous organizational location in 
the Departmental Administration mission area, under the supervision of 
the ASA, to report directly to the Office of the Secretary. See SM 
1076-034 available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-034. The Secretary also transferred the Departmental 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office from OCIO to the Office of the 
General Counsel (OGC) and designated the General Counsel as the Chief 
FOIA Officer. See SM 1076-033 available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-033.
    This rule accordingly reassigns the delegations of authority 
related to FOIA previously delegated to the ASA in 2.24 to the General 
Counsel in 2.31. The delegations of authority to the ASA related to 
information technology and information resources are removed. The 
delegations of authority to the Chief Information Officer, previously 
located at 2.89 under Subpart P--Delegations of Authority by the 
Assistant Secretary for Administration, are now located at 2.32 under 
Subpart D--Delegations of Authority to Other General Officers and 
Agency Heads.

E. Office of Customer Experience

    In February 2018, the Secretary established an Office of Customer 
Experience in the Departmental Administration mission area to provide 
coordination for efforts to improve customer service across the 
Department. See SM 1076-022 available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-022. This authority was extended in 
Secretary's Memorandum 1076-030 on July 1, 2019. This rule adds a new 
delegation for the ASA to coordinate efforts to improve customer 
service to reflect that the Office of Customer Experience is under the 
purview of Departmental Administration.

F. Miscellaneous Revisions

    In 2017, the Office of the Law Revision Council editorially 
reclassified several sections of the U.S. Code formerly located at 7 
U.S.C. 450a et seq. to other locations in Title 7 of the U.S. Code. 
This rule revises citations throughout Part 2 to reflect the current 
U.S. Code citations for these sections, to correct other outdated or 
mistaken citations, and to delete obsolete authorities. Due to the 
number of updates to the statutory citations for authorities delegated 
to the Forest Service and the need to renumber paragraphs, this rule 
revises the full text of the delegations of the Under Secretary for NRE 
at 2.20(a)(2) and the Chief of the Forest Service at 2.60(a) rather 
than providing individual amendments.

Classification

    This rule relates to internal agency management. Accordingly, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity 
for comment are not required, and this rule may be made effective less 
than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. This rule also 
is exempt from the provisions of Executive Orders 12866 and 13771. This 
action is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., or the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 
801 et seq., and thus is exempt from the provisions of those acts. This 
rule contains no information collection or recordkeeping requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 2

    Authority delegations (Government agencies).

    Accordingly, as discussed in the preamble, 7 CFR part 2 is amended 
as follows:

PART 2--DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 
AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6912(a)(1); 5 U.S.C. 301; Reorganization 
Plan No. 2 of 1953, 3 CFR 1949-1953 Comp., p. 1024.


0
2. In part 2, revise all references to ``Assistant to the Secretary for 
Rural Development'' to read ``Under Secretary for Rural Development''.

Subpart A--General

0
3. Section 2.4 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  2.4  General officers.

    The work of the Department is under the supervision and control of 
the Secretary who is assisted by the following general officers: The 
Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretary for Farm Production and 
Conservation; the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer 
Services, the Under Secretary for Food Safety; the Under Secretary for 
Marketing and Regulatory Programs; the Under Secretary for Natural 
Resources and Environment; the Under Secretary for Research, Education, 
and Economics; the Under Secretary for Rural Development; the Under 
Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs; the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration; the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; 
the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; the Chief 
Economist; the Chief Financial Officer; the Chief Information Officer; 
the General Counsel; the Inspector General; the Judicial Officer; the 
Director, National Appeals Division; the Director, Office of Budget and 
Program Analysis; the Director, Office of Communications; the Director, 
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement; the Director, Office of 
Tribal Relations; and the Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged 
Business Utilization.

Subpart C--Delegations of Authority to the Deputy Secretary, Under 
Secretaries, and Assistant Secretaries

0
4. Amend Sec.  2.16 by:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1)(ix), removing the term ``7 U.S.C. 450j et seq.'' 
and adding, in its place, the term ``7 U.S.C. 4551 et

[[Page 65505]]

seq.'', and in paragraph (a)(1)(xviii), removing the term ``16 U.S.C. 
1231 et seq.'' and adding, in its place, the term ``16 U.S.C. 3831 et 
seq.'';
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(xxxvi) introductory text;
0
c. Adding paragraph (a)(1)(xxxix);
0
d. Revising paragraph (a)(3)(iii) introductory text;
0
e. Revising paragraphs (a)(3)(iv)(A) and (a)(3)(v) and (xiii);
0
f. Adding paragraphs (a)(3)(xviii), (xxvi), and (xxvii) and (a)(4)(x);
0
g. Revising paragraph (a)(7)(xiv); and
0
h. Adding paragraph (a)(11).
    The revisions and additions to read as follows:


Sec.  2.16  Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (xxxvi) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014, Public Law 113-79, as amended:
* * * * *
    (xxxix) Administer the following provisions of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 116-334:
    (A) Section 5413 relating to reporting on farm loans (7 U.S.C. 
2008x).
    (B) Section 12304 relating to the National Beginning Farmer and 
Rancher Coordinator (7 U.S.C. 6934a).
    (C) Section 12612 relating to a national agriculture imagery 
program (7 U.S.C. 2204j).
    (D) Section 12615 relating to the eligibility for farm operators on 
heirs' property to obtain a farm loan number (7 U.S.C. 2266b).
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) Administer the basic program of soil and water conservation 
under Public Law 74-46, and related laws (16 U.S.C. 590a-f, q, q-1; 42 
U.S.C. 3271-3274; 7 U.S.C. 2201), including:
* * * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (A) The eleven authorized watershed projects authorized under the 
Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534);
* * * * *
    (v) Administer the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program for Rural 
Lands and other responsibilities assigned under the Surface Mining 
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), except 
those responsibilities assigned to the Under Secretary for Natural 
Resources and Environment.
* * * * *
    (xiii) Except as otherwise delegated, administer natural resources 
conservation authorities, including authorities related to programs of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation that provide assistance with respect 
to natural resources conservation, under Title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (the Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), including 
the following:
    (A) Technical assistance related to the conservation of highly 
erodible lands and wetlands pursuant to sections 1211-1224 of the Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3811-3824).
    (B) Technical assistance related to the Conservation Reserve 
Program authorized by sections 1231-1235 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3831-
3835).
    (C) The Wetlands Reserve Program and the Emergency Wetlands Reserve 
Program authorized by sections 1237-1237F of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3837-
3837f) prior to February 7, 2014, the transition authority under 
section 2703 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, and the Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations for Relief from the Major, Widespread 
Flooding in the Midwest Act (Pub. L. 103-75).
    (D) The Conservation Security Program authorized by sections 1238-
1238C of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3838-3838c) and the Conservation 
Stewardship Program authorized by sections 1240I-1240L-1 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-21--3839aa-25).
    (E) The Farmland Protection Program authorized by sections 1238H-
1238I of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3838h-3838i) prior to February 7, 2014, and 
the transition authority under section 2704 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014.
    (F) The Farm Viability Program authorized by section 1238J of the 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838j) prior to February 7, 2014, and the transition 
authority under section 2704 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (G) The Environmental Quality Incentives Program authorized by 
sections 1240-1240H of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3839aa-8), the 
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program authorized by section 1240H of 
the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-9) prior to February 7, 2014, and section 
2706 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (H) The conservation of private grazing lands authorized by section 
1240M of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb).
    (I) The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program authorized by section 
1240N of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1) prior to February 7, 2014 and 
Section 2707 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (J) The program for soil erosion and sedimentation control in the 
Great Lakes basin authorized by section 1240P of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
3839bb-3) prior to February 7, 2014, and section 2708 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (K) The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program authorized by section 
1240Q of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-4) prior to February 7, 2014, and 
section 2709 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (L) The delivery of technical assistance under section 1242 of the 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3842), including the approval of persons or entities 
outside of USDA to provide technical services.
    (M) The authority for partnerships and cooperation provided by 
section 1243 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3843) prior to February 7, 2014, and 
section 2710 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (N) The incentives for certain farmers and ranchers and Indian 
tribes and the protection of certain proprietary information related to 
natural resources conservation programs as provided by section 1244 of 
the Act (16 U.S.C. 3844).
    (O) The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program 
authorized by section 1252 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3851).
    (P) The authority under sections 1261-1262 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
3861-3862) to establish and utilize State Technical Committees.
    (Q) The Grassland Reserve Program under sections 1238N-1238Q of the 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838n-3838q) prior to February 7, 2014, and section 2705 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    (R) The authority in section 1241 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3841) to 
accept and use voluntary contributions of non-Federal funds in support 
of natural resources conservation programs under subtitle D of title 
XII of the Act with respect to authorities delegated to the Under 
Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.
    (S) The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program authorized by 
sections 1265-1265D of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3865-3865d).
    (T) The Regional Conservation Partnership Program authorized by 
sections 1271-1271F of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3871-3871f).
    (U) The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program 
authorized by section 1240R of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5).
    (V) A wetlands mitigation banking program authorized by section 
1222(k) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3822(k)).
* * * * *
    (xviii) Enter into cooperative agreements, which may provide for 
the acquisition of goods or services, including personal services, as 
authorized by Public Law 106-387 (7 U.S.C. 6962a).
* * * * *
    (xxvi) Administer the state and private forest landscape-scale 
restoration program (16 U.S.C. 2109a).

[[Page 65506]]

    (xxvii) Administer the following provisions of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 116-334):
    (A) Section 1704 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a), authorizing waivers of the 
adjusted gross income limitation.
    (B) In consultation with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Section 2707 (16 U.S.C. 1531 note), relating to wildlife 
management.
    (C) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs, Section 2408 (7 U.S.C. 8351 note), relating to the 
Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program.
    (D) Section 8628, relating to the purchase of Natural Resources 
Conservation Service property in Riverside County, California.
    (E) Section 12302, relating to the Office of Urban Agriculture and 
Innovative Production.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (x) Coordinate between agencies of the Department on the type and 
format of data received under the noninsured crop disaster assistance 
program as authorized by Sec. 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, (Pub. L. 104-127, as amended) (7 
U.S.C. 7333).
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to 
settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act.
* * * * *
    (11) Administer a Century Farms Program as authorized by section 
12508 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 2266a).
* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  2.17 by:
0
a. Adding paragraphs (a)(20)(x) and (xv);
0
b. Revising paragraphs (a)(21)(xxi) and (xxii); and
0
c. Adding paragraph (a)(21)(xxviii) and (xxix), (a)(22)(iii), (a)(28), 
and (a)(32).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  2.17  Under Secretary for Rural Development.

    (a) * * *
    (20) * * *
    (x) Consult with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Communications and Information to assist in the verification of 
eligibility of the broadband loan and grant programs of the Department 
of Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 950bb-6).
* * * * *
    (xv) In coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, 
administer Section 12511 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
(Pub. L. 115-334) relating to the precision agriculture connectivity 
task force.
    (21) * * *
    (xxi) In coordination with the Under Secretary of Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs, administer the value-added producer grants program 
and farmers' markets and local food promotion program (7 U.S.C. 
1627c(d)(5)-(6)).
    (xxii) Administer the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration 
program (7 U.S.C. 1632b).
* * * * *
    (xxviii) Implementation of a program for the Federal procurement of 
biobased products and of a voluntary ``USDA Certified Biobased 
product'' labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102).
    (xxix) Entering into cooperative agreements to further research 
programs in the food and agricultural sciences, related to establishing 
and implementing Federal biobased procurement and voluntary biobased 
labeling programs (7 U.S.C. 3318).
    (22) * * *
    (iii) In consultation with the Department of Justice, Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development, and Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, administer the emergency and transitional pet shelter and 
housing assistance grant program (34 U.S.C. 20127).
* * * * *
    (28) In coordination with the Office of Tribal Relations, provide 
technical assistance to improve access by Tribal entities to rural 
development programs funded by the Department of Agriculture through 
available cooperative agreement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2671).
* * * * *
    (32) Oversee the Rural Health Liaison (7 U.S.C. 6946).
* * * * *

0
6. Amend Sec.  2.19 by revising paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A), adding 
paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(M) and (N), and revising paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(L) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  2.19  Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2011 
et seq.), except for section 25, regarding assistance for community 
food projects.
* * * * *
    (M) Section 4208 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 2026a).
    (N) Section 12614 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 6925).
    (ii) * * *
    (L) Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
7501 et seq.);
* * * * *

0
7. Amend Sec.  2.20 by revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.20  Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Related to forestry. (i) Provide national leadership in 
forestry. (As used here and elsewhere in this section, the term 
``forestry'' encompasses renewable and nonrenewable resources of 
forests, including lands governed by the Alaska National Interest Lands 
Conservation Act, forest-related rangeland, grassland, brushland, 
woodland, and alpine areas including but not limited to recreation, 
range, timber, minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish; natural scenic, 
scientific, cultural, and historic values of forests and related lands; 
and derivative values such as economic strength and social well-being).
    (ii) Protect, manage, and administer the national forests, national 
forest purchase units, national grasslands, and other lands and 
interests in lands administered by the Forest Service, which 
collectively are designated as the National Forest System.
    (iii) Acquire, dispose of, and lease lands and interests in lands 
as may be authorized for the protection, management, and administration 
of the National Forest System, including the authority to approve 
acquisition of land under the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 521), and special forest receipts acts, as follows: (Pub. L. 
337, 74th Cong., 49 Stat. 866, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 
58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 505, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 347, as amended by Pub. 
L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 634, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 
699, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 748, 
75th Cong., 52 Stat. 1205, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 
Stat. 227; Pub. L. 427, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 46; Pub. L. 589, 76th 
Cong., 54 Stat. 297; Pub. L. 591, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 299; Pub. L. 
637, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 402; Pub. L. 781, 84th Cong., 70 Stat. 632).
    (iv) As necessary for administrative purposes, divide into and 
designate as national forests any lands of 3,000 acres or more which 
are acquired under or subject to the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, as 
amended, and which are contiguous to existing national forest

[[Page 65507]]

boundaries established under the authority of the Weeks Act.
    (v) Plan and administer wildlife and fish conservation 
rehabilitation and habitat management programs on National Forest 
System lands, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 670g, 670h, and 670o.
    (vi) For the purposes of the National Forest System Drug Control 
Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 559b-559g), specifically designate certain 
specially trained officers and employees of the Forest Service, not 
exceeding 500, to have authority in the performance of their duties 
within the boundaries of the National Forest System:
    (A) To carry firearms;
    (B) To enforce and conduct investigations of violations of section 
401 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 841) and other criminal 
violations relating to marijuana and other controlled substances that 
are manufactured, distributed, or dispensed on National Forest System 
lands;
    (C) To make arrests with a warrant or process for misdemeanor 
violations, or without a warrant for violations of such misdemeanors 
that any such officer or employee has probable cause to believe are 
being committed in that employee's presence or view, or for a felony 
with a warrant or without a warrant if that employee has probable cause 
to believe that the person being arrested has committed or is 
committing such a felony;
    (D) To serve warrants and other process issued by a court or 
officer of competent jurisdiction;
    (E) To search, with or without a warrant or process, any person, 
place, or conveyance according to Federal law or rule of law; and
    (F) To seize, with or without warrant or process, any evidentiary 
item according to Federal law or rule of law.
    (vii) Authorize the Forest Service to cooperate with the law 
enforcement officials of any Federal agency, State, or political 
subdivision, in the investigation of violations of, and enforcement of, 
section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841), other 
laws and regulations relating to marijuana and other controlled 
substances, and State drug control laws or ordinances, within the 
boundaries of the National Forest System.
    (viii) Administer programs under section 23 of the Federal Highway 
Act (23 U.S.C. 101(a), 120(f), 125(a)-(c), 138, 202(a)-(b), 203, 
204(a)-(c), 205(a)-(d), 211, 317, 402(a)).
    (ix) Exercise the administrative appeal review functions of the 
Secretary of Agriculture for decisions of the Chief of the Forest 
Service pursuant to 36 CFR parts 214, 218, and 219.
    (x) Conduct, support, and cooperate in investigations, experiments, 
tests, and other activities deemed necessary to obtain, analyze, 
develop, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information about 
protecting, managing, and utilizing forest and rangeland renewable 
resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas in the United States and 
foreign countries. The activities conducted, supported, or cooperated 
in shall include, but not be limited to: Renewable resource management 
research, renewable resource environmental research; renewable resource 
protection research; renewable resource utilization research, and 
renewable resource assessment research (16 U.S.C. 1641-1647).
    (xi) Use authorities and means available to disseminate the 
knowledge and technology developed from forestry research (16 U.S.C. 
1645).
    (xii) Coordinate activities with other agencies in USDA, other 
Federal and State agencies, forestry schools, and private entities and 
individuals (16 U.S.C. 1643).
    (xiii) Enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements for 
the support of scientific research in forestry activities (7 U.S.C. 
3105, 1624; 16 U.S.C. 582a-8, 1643-1645, 1649).
    (xiv) Enter into cooperative research and development agreements 
with industry, universities, and others; institute a cash award program 
to reward scientific, engineering, and technical personnel; award 
royalties to inventors; and retain and use royalty income (15 U.S.C. 
3710a-3710c).
    (xv) Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to 
further research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and 
agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3152, 3318).
    (xvi) Enter into cost-reimbursable agreements relating to 
agricultural research, extension, or teaching activities (7 U.S.C. 
3319a).
    (xvii) Administer programs of cooperative forestry assistance in 
the protection, conservation, and multiple resource management of 
forests and related resources in both rural and urban areas and forest 
lands in foreign countries (16 U.S.C. 2101-2114).
    (xviii) Provide assistance to States and other units of government 
in forest resources planning and forestry rural revitalization (7 
U.S.C. 6601, 6611-6617; 16 U.S.C. 2107).
    (xix) Conduct a program of technology implementation for State 
forestry personnel, private forest landowners and managers, vendors, 
forest operators, public agencies, and individuals (16 U.S.C. 2107).
    (xx) Administer Rural Fire Protection and Control Programs (16 
U.S.C. 2106c).
    (xxi) Provide technical assistance on forestry technology or the 
implementation of the Conservation Reserve and Softwood Timber Programs 
authorized in sections 1231-1244 and 1254 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831-3844; 7 U.S.C. 1981 note).
    (xxii) Administer forest insect, disease, and other pest management 
programs (16 U.S.C. 2104).
    (xxiii) Exercise the custodial functions of the Secretary for lands 
and interests in lands under lease or contract of sale to States and 
local agencies pursuant to title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant 
Act and administer reserved and reversionary interests in lands 
conveyed under that Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1013a).
    (xxiv) Under such general program criteria and procedures as may be 
established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service:
    (A) Administer the forestry aspects of the programs listed in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(xxiii)(A)(1) through (3) of this section on the 
National Forest System, rangelands with national forest boundaries, 
adjacent rangelands which are administered under formal agreement, and 
other forest lands;
    (1) The cooperative river basin surveys and investigations program 
(16 U.S.C. 1006);
    (2) The Eleven Authorized Watershed Improvement Programs and 
Emergency Flood Prevention Measures Program under the Flood Control Act 
of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534); and
    (3) The Small Watershed Protection Program under the Pilot 
Watershed Protection and Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Acts 
(7 U.S.C. 701a-h; 16 U.S.C. 1001-1009); and
    (B) Exercise responsibility in connection with the forestry aspects 
of the Resource Conservation and Development Program authorized by 
title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(e)).
    (xxv) Provide assistance to the Farm Service Agency in connection 
with the Agricultural Conservation Program, the Naval Stores 
Conservation Program, and the Cropland Conversion Program (16 U.S.C. 
590g-q).
    (xxvi) Provide assistance to the Rural Housing Service in 
connection with grants and loans under authority of section 303 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1923.
    (xxvii) Coordinate mapping work of USDA including:
    (A) Clearing mapping projects to prevent duplication;

[[Page 65508]]

    (B) Keeping a record of mapping done by USDA agencies;
    (C) Preparing and submitting required USDA reports;
    (D) Serving as liaison on mapping with the Office of Management and 
Budget, Department of Interior, and other departments and 
establishments;
    (E) Promoting interchange of technical mapping information, 
including techniques which may reduce costs or improve quality; and
    (F) Maintaining the mapping records formerly maintained by the 
Office of Operations.
    (xxviii) Administer the radio frequency licensing work of USDA, 
including:
    (A) Representing USDA on the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory 
Committee and its Frequency Assignment Subcommittee of the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of 
Commerce;
    (B) Establishing policies, standards, and procedures for allotting 
and assigning frequencies within USDA and for obtaining effective 
utilization of them;
    (C) Providing licensing action necessary to assign radio 
frequencies for use by the agencies of USDA and maintenance of the 
records necessary in connection therewith;
    (D) Providing inspection of USDA's radio operations to ensure 
compliance with national and international regulations and policies for 
radio frequency use; and
    (xxix) Represent USDA in all matters relating to responsibilities 
and authorities under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a-823).
    (xxx) Administer the Youth Conservation Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1701-
1706) for USDA.
    (xxxi) Establish and operate the Job Corps Civilian Conservation 
Centers on National Forest System lands as authorized by title I, 
sections 106 and 107 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2716), in accordance with the terms of an agreement dated May 11, 1967, 
between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Labor; and 
administration of other cooperative manpower training and work 
experience programs where the Forest Service serves as host or prime 
sponsor with other Departments of Federal, State, or local governments.
    (xxxii) Administer the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 
1972 (16 U.S.C. 558a-558d, 558a note).
    (xxxiii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture 
authorized in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 3101-3215).
    (xxxiv) Exercise the functions of the Secretary as authorized in 
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271-1287).
    (xxxv) Jointly administer gypsy moth eradication activities with 
the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, under 
the authority of section 102 of the Organic Act of 1944, as amended; 
and the Act of April 6, 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 7759, 148, 148a-
148e); and the Talmadge Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 1633), by assuming primary 
responsibility for treating isolated gypsy moth infestations on Federal 
lands, and on State and private lands contiguous to infested Federal 
lands, and any other infestations over 640 acres on State and private 
lands.
    (xxxvi) Exercise the functions of the Secretary authorized in the 
Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987 (30 U.S.C. 226 
et seq.).
    (xxxvii) Administer the Public Lands Corps program (16 U.S.C. 1721 
et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1726b) for USDA consistent with the Department's 
overall national service program.
    (xxxviii) Focusing on countries that could have a substantial 
impact on global warming, provide assistance that promotes sustainable 
development and global environmental stability; share technical, 
managerial, extension, and administrative skills; provide education and 
training opportunities; engage in scientific exchange; and cooperate 
with domestic and international organizations that further 
international programs for the management and protection of forests, 
rangelands, wildlife, fisheries and related natural resources (16 
U.S.C. 4501-4505).
    (xxxix) Establish programs with any bureau of the U.S. Department 
of the Interior (DOI), or with other agencies within USDA, in support 
of the Service First initiative for the purpose of promoting customer 
service and efficiency including delegating to employees of DOI and 
other USDA agencies the authorities of the Forest Service necessary to 
carry out projects on behalf of USDA (43 U.S.C. 1703).
    (xl) At the request of the Director, Homeland Security Staff 
(Director), designate law enforcement personnel of the Forest Service 
to assist the Director in providing for the personal security for the 
Secretary and the Deputy Secretary in the National Forest System.
    (xli) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 
1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).
    (xlii) Administer a program for providing loans to eligible units 
of local government to finance the purchase of equipment to monitor, 
remove, dispose of, and replace infested trees located under their 
jurisdiction and within the borders of quarantined areas (16 U.S.C. 
2104a).
    (xliii) [Reserved]
    (xliv) Administer the community wood energy program providing 
grants to develop community wood energy plans, acquire or upgrade 
community wood energy systems, and establish or expand biomass consumer 
cooperatives (7 U.S.C. 8113).
    (xlv) Conduct activities that assist the Chief Economist in 
developing guidelines regarding the development of environmental 
services markets.
    (xlvi) Administer the programs authorized by the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), except for the 
Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized in title V of such act (16 
U.S.C. 6571-6578).
    (xlvii) Administer Good Neighbor contracts and cooperative 
agreements with a State to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed 
restoration services on National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 2113a).
    (xlviii) Utilize the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services 
(ACES) Program (16 U.S.C. 3851) to provide technical services for 
conservation-related programs and authorities carried out on National 
Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 3851a).
    (xlix) Enter into reciprocal fire agreements or contracts with 
domestic entities. Administer reimbursements received for fire 
suppression (42 U.S.C. 1856-1856e).
    (l) Administer the large airtanker and aerial asset lease program 
(16 U.S.C. 551c).
    (li) Provide technical and other assistance with respect to 
eligibility of forest products for the ``USDA Certified Biobased 
Products'' labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102(g)).
    (lii) Cooperate with public or private entities or individuals to 
perform work on state, county, municipal, or private lands within or 
near the boundary of National Forest System lands for administration, 
protection, improvement, reforestation, and other kinds of work the 
Forest Service is authorized to do on National Forest System lands, and 
cooperate with public or private entities or individuals to perform the 
same kinds of work in connection with the use or occupancy of National 
Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 572).

[[Page 65509]]

    (liii) Enter into reciprocal fire agreements with foreign fire 
organizations. (42 U.S.C. 1856m-1856o).
    (liv) Administer the payments to states program (16 U.S.C. 500; 16 
U.S.C. 7101-7153); establish, maintain, and appoint members to Resource 
Advisory Committees (16 U.S.C. 7125).
    (lv) Administer the Wood Innovation Grant program (7 U.S.C. 7655d).
* * * * *

0
8. Amend Sec.  2.21 by:
0
a. Adding paragraph (a)(1)(iii);
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(iv);
0
c. Adding paragraph (a)(1)(xvii);
0
d. In paragraph (a)(1)(xviii), removing the term ``7 U.S.C. 450a'' and 
adding in its place the term ``7 U.S.C. 3318a''; in paragraph 
(a)(1)(xix), removing the term ``7 U.S.C. 450i(e)'' and adding in its 
place the term ``7 U.S.C. 3157(e)''; and in paragraph (a)(1)(xx), 
removing the term ``7 U.S.C. 450i(b), (c)'' and adding in its place the 
term ``7 U.S.C. 3157(b), (c)'';
0
e. Adding paragraphs (a)(1)(xxxi), (xlii), (xlv), (lv), (lxiii), 
(lxvii), (lxxii), (lxxiii), (lxxviii), (lxxxiii), (cxi), and (cxlii);
0
f. In paragraph (a)(1)(clxxiii), removing the term ``7 U.S.C. 3319f'' 
and adding in its place the term ``7 U.S.C. 2279(d)'';
0
g. Adding paragraph (a)(1)(cc); and
0
h. Revising paragraph (a)(8)(xi).
    The revisions to read as follows:


Sec.  2.21  Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) Exercise the authorities of the Secretary in administering 
the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, including 
awarding grants and entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, 
and other transactions (7 U.S.C. 3319k).
    (iv) Carry out research, technology development, technology 
transfer, and demonstration projects related to the economic 
feasibility of the manufacture and commercialization of natural rubber 
from plants containing hydrocarbons and other critical agricultural 
materials from native agricultural crops having strategic and 
industrial importance (7 U.S.C. 178-178n).
* * * * *
    (xvii) Administer a program to make competitive grants to assist in 
the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, 
or remodeling of agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 390b).
* * * * *
    (xxxi) Prepare an annual report to Congress on disbursements of 
funds for agricultural research and extension at 1890 and 1862 
Institutions for programs under the following authorities: 7 U.S.C. 
3221; 7 U.S.C. 3222; 7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c); and 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq. 
(7 U.S.C. 2207d).
* * * * *
    (xlii) Promote cooperation and coordination between 1862, 1890, 
1994, and NLGCA Institutions, HSACUs, and cooperating forestry schools 
and international partner institutions in developing countries by 
exercising the Secretary's authority in 7 U.S.C. 3292, including 
coordinating with the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs to 
place interns from covered institutions in, or in service to benefit, 
developing countries.
* * * * *
    (xlv) Administer a next generation agriculture technology challenge 
competition to incentivize mobile technology that removes marketplace 
entry barriers for beginning farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 3158).
* * * * *
    (lv) Administer grants to 1890 Institutions, including Tuskegee 
University, for purposes of awarding scholarships to individuals 
pursuing careers in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 
3222a).
* * * * *
    (lxiii) Make competitive grants to land-grant colleges and 
universities, including 1994 Institutions, to provide identifiable 
support specifically targeted for Tribal students (7 U.S.C. 3222e).
* * * * *
    (lxvii) Administer competitive grants for the acquisition of 
special purpose scientific research equipment for use in the food and 
agricultural sciences programs of eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 
3310a).
* * * * *
    (lxxii) Establish a National Plant Diagnostic Network to monitor 
and surveil through diagnostics threats to plant health from diseases 
or pests of concern in the United States, and establish cooperative 
agreements with land-grant colleges and universities (7 U.S.C. 
8914(c)).
    (lxxiii) Establish a National Plant Disease Recovery System to 
engage in strategic long-range planning to recover from high-
consequence plant transboundary diseases (7 U.S.C. 8914(d)).
* * * * *
    (lxxviii) In consultation with the Secretary of Energy, administer 
competitive grants to provide education about carbon utilization and 
biogas (7 U.S.C. 8115).
* * * * *
    (lxxxiii) In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production Advisory Committee, administer competitive grants to support 
research, education, and extension activities for the purposes of 
facilitating the development of urban, indoor, and other emerging 
agricultural production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, 
packaging, distribution, and markets (7 U.S.C. 5925g).
* * * * *
    (cxi) Administer an experienced services program to obtain 
technical, professional, and administrative services to support the 
research, education, and economics mission area of the Department (16 
U.S.C. 3851).
* * * * *
    (cxlii) In consultation with the Under Secretary for Food, 
Nutrition, and Consumer Services, administer pilot projects to 
encourage the use of public-private partnerships committed to 
addressing food insecurity (7 U.S.C. 2036d).
* * * * *
    (cc) Administer a competitive grant program to support the 
development and expansion of advanced training programs in agricultural 
biosecurity planning and response for food science professionals and 
veterinarians (7 U.S.C. 8913).
    (8) * * *
    (xi) Collect and, not less frequently than once every 3 years 
report, data and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, 
and entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 2204i).
* * * * *

0
9. Amend Sec.  2.22 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a)(1)(viii)(CCC);
0
b. Adding paragraphs (a)(1)(viii)(MMM), (PPP), and (TTT) and 
(a)(1)(xvi) and (xvii);
0
c. Revising paragraphs (a)(2)(ii), (xiv), (xviii), (xxiii), and (xxiv); 
and
0
d. Adding paragraphs (a)(2)(xliii) through (xlvi).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  2.22  Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (viii) * * *
    (CCC) Local Agriculture Market Program (7 U.S.C. 1627c), in 
coordination with the Under Secretary for Rural Development.
* * * * *

[[Page 65510]]

    (MMM) Section 12108 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 1622 note).
* * * * *
    (PPP) Section 4206 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 7518).
* * * * *
    (TTT) Section 12513 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 1632d).
* * * * *
    (xvi) Administer the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile 
Mills program (7 U.S.C. 9037(c))
    (xvii) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Farm Production 
and Conservation, administer payments under the Special Competitive 
Provisions for Extra Long Staple Cotton (7 U.S.C. 9038).
    (2) * * *
    (ii) The Terminal Inspection Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 7760);
* * * * *
    (xiv) Talmadge Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 1633) with respect to 
cooperation with States in control and eradication of plant and animal 
diseases and pests;
* * * * *
    (xviii) Section 101(d), Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 398);
* * * * *
    (xxiii) The Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351-8352);
    (xxiv) The Act of December 22, 1987 (7 U.S.C. 8353);
* * * * *
    (xliii) Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322).
    (xliv) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Farm Production 
and Conservation, Section 2408 relating to the Feral Swine Eradication 
and Control Pilot Program (7 U.S.C. 8351 note),
    (xlv) Section 12203(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
relating to diseases and pests of concern (7 U.S.C. 8914(b)).
    (xlvi) Section 12601 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
relating to baiting of migratory game birds (16 U.S.C. 704 note).
* * * * *

0
10. Amend Sec.  2.24 by:
0
a. Removing and reserving paragraph (a)(2);
0
b. Adding paragraph (a)(4)(xxii);
0
c. Removing and reserving paragraphs (a)(6)(ii)(J) and (K); and
0
d. Revising paragraph (a)(8); and
0
e. Adding paragraph (a)(13)(ii).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.24  Assistant Secretary for Administration.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (xxii) Exercise the authority to noncompetitively convert to an 
appointment in the competitive service a recent graduate or student who 
is a United States citizen and has been awarded and successfully 
completed a scholarship program granted to the individual by the 
Department through the 1890 National Scholars Program or the 1994 
Tribal Scholars Program, provided the individual meets the requirements 
for such conversion and meets Office of Personnel Management 
qualification standards, as determined by the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration (7 U.S.C. 2279j).
* * * * *
    (8) Related to homeland security, personnel and document security, 
and emergency coordination. (i) Serve as the principal advisor to the 
Secretary on homeland security, including emergency management and 
agriculture and food defense;
    (ii) Coordinate activities of the Department, including policies, 
processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to homeland security, 
including emergency management and agriculture and food defense;
    (iii) Act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department with 
other Federal departments and agencies in activities relating to 
homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and 
food defense, and provide for interagency coordination and data 
sharing;
    (iv) Coordinate in the Department the gathering of information 
relevant to early warning and awareness of threats and risks to the 
food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and share that 
information with, and provide assistance with interpretation and risk 
characterization of that information to, the intelligence community (as 
defined in 5 U.S.C. 3003), law enforcement agencies, the Secretary of 
Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in section 
210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j));
    (v) Liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to assist in 
the development of periodic assessments and intelligence estimates, or 
other intelligence products, that support the defense of the food and 
agriculture critical infrastructure sector;
    (vi) Coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement of 
exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness and response;
    (vii) Produce a Department-wide centralized strategic coordination 
plan to provide a high-level perspective of the operations of the 
Department relating to homeland security, including emergency 
management and agriculture and food defense; and
    (viii) Establish and carry out an interagency Agriculture and Food 
Threat Awareness Partnership Program, including by entering into 
cooperative agreements or contracts with Federal, State, or local 
authorities (7 U.S.C. 6922).
    (ix) Provide administrative supervision to the unit that grants, 
denies, or revokes security clearances for USDA employees and 
contractors.
    (x) Administer the Department Emergency Preparedness Program. This 
includes:
    (A) Coordinate the delegations and assignments made to the 
Department under the Defense Production Act of 1950, 50 U.S.C. App. 
2061, et seq.; the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq.; and by Executive Orders 12148, 
``Federal Emergency Management'' (3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 412), 12656, 
``Assignment of Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities'' (3 CFR, 1988 
Comp., p. 585), and 13603, ``National Defense Resources Preparedness'' 
(3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 225), or any successor to these Executive 
Orders, to ensure that the Department has sufficient capabilities to 
respond to any occurrence, including natural disaster, military attack, 
technological emergency, or any all hazards incident.
    (B) Manage the Department Emergency Operations Center at 
Headquarters and the Secretary's alternative facilities; provide senior 
staff with international, national, and regional situational awareness 
reports; and provide and maintain current information systems 
technology and National Security Systems to support USDA executive 
crisis management capability.
    (C) Provide facilities and equipment to facilitate inter-agency 
coordination during emergencies.
    (D) Activate the USDA incident management system in accordance with 
the National Response Framework and the National Incident Management 
System in the event of a major incident; and provide oversight and 
coordination of the Department's Emergency Support Functions as 
outlined in the National Response Framework.
    (E) Develop and promulgate policies for the Department regarding 
emergency preparedness and national security, including matters 
relating to anti-terrorism and agriculture-related emergency 
preparedness planning both

[[Page 65511]]

national and international, and guidance to USDA State and County 
Emergency Boards.
    (F) [Reserved]
    (G) Provide representation and liaison for the Department in 
contacts with other Federal entities and organizations, including the 
National Security Council, Homeland Security Council, Office of 
Management and Budget, Department of Homeland Security, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Office of The Director of National 
Intelligence, and Department of Defense concerning matters of a 
national security, natural disaster, other emergencies, and 
agriculture/food-related international civil emergency planning and 
related activities.
    (H) Act as the primary USDA representative for anti-terrorism 
activities.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Provide guidance and direction regarding radiological emergency 
preparedness programs and the implementation of the National Response 
Framework's Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex to Departmental staff 
offices, mission areas, and agencies.
    (K) Provide program leadership and coordination for USDA's 
radiological emergency preparedness requirements with respect to 
Emergency Management and Assistance (44 CFR parts 350-352).
    (L) Represent USDA on the Federal Radiological Preparedness 
Coordinating Committee (FRPCC) and Regional Assistance Committees 
(RACs) and assist them in carrying out their functions.
    (M) Support USDA in its management of the Department's emergency 
response program with respect to radiological emergency response 
activities.
    (iii) Administer the Classified Network, Controlled Unclassified 
Information, and Insider Threat programs of the Department (E.O. 13587; 
E.O. 13556 and 32 CFR part 2002).
    (iv) Serve as the primary point of contact for Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) 
audits of USDA homeland security activities.
    (v) Coordinate interaction between Department agencies and private 
sector businesses and industries in emergency planning and public 
education under Department authorities delegated or assigned under the 
National Response Framework, National Infrastructure Protection Plan, 
Defense Production Act of 1950, 50 U.S.C. App. 2061, et seq., and 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 
U.S.C. 5121, et seq.
    (vi) Oversee the Department's ability to collect and disseminate 
information and prepare for an agricultural disease emergency, 
agroterrorist act, or other threat to agricultural biosecurity, and 
coordinate such activities among agencies and offices within the 
Department (7 U.S.C. 8912).
    (vii) Carry out protection operations for the Secretary, Deputy 
Secretary, and other individuals as specified in Section 12520 of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, including by authorizing law 
enforcement officers or special agents to carry firearms; conduct 
criminal investigations into potential threats to the security of 
individuals protected under Section 12520; make arrests without a 
warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the 
presence of the law enforcement officer or special agent; perform 
protective intelligence work, including identifying and mitigating 
potential threats and conducting advance work to review security 
matters relating to sites and events; and coordinate with local law 
enforcement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2279k).
    (viii) Promulgate Departmental policies, standards, techniques, and 
procedures; and represent the Department in maintaining the security of 
physical facilities and providing security guidance to the Food and 
Agricultural Sector nationwide.
    (A) Lead and coordinate the development and maintenance of a 
mission critical facility inventory with agency involvement to ensure 
proper security countermeasures are implemented in the Department's 
most critical infrastructure.
    (B) Provide guidance to USDA agencies in matters of physical 
security through use of physical security assessments and development 
of mitigation strategies.
    (C) Provide guidance to USDA agencies and the Food and Agricultural 
Sector in matters of security through use of assessments and 
development of mitigation strategies.
    (D) Represent and act as liaison for the Department in contacts 
with other Federal security entities and organizations, including the 
Interagency Security Committee and the Department of Homeland Security.
    (E) Provide guidance and direction to ensure physical security and 
agriculture/food security are fully integrated in USDA's security 
preparations, which are reported to and coordinated with the White 
House.
    (F) Provide assistance to the USDA agencies in preparation for and 
during a disaster to identify critical assets and possible alternate 
storage locations.
    (G) Conduct physical security investigations and compliance reviews 
Department-wide.
    (H) Review and provide coordinated technical physical security 
assessments for all new construction of laboratories, data centers, 
germplasm repositories, and other mission critical infrastructure 
during the design phase, and all leased facilities prior to contract 
award.
    (I) Oversee and manage physical security aspects of the Common 
Identification Card (LincPass) Program to ensure National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) and General Services Administration 
(GSA) compliancy within the National Capital Region and the physical 
access to USDA facilities.
    (J) Provide enterprise connectivity to agency physical access 
control systems that provide cost leveraging and provisioning/de-
provisioning nationwide.
    (ix) Provide oversight and coordination of the development and 
administration of the Department Continuity Program. This includes:
    (A) Provide guidance and direction regarding continuity of 
operations to the Office of the Secretary, Departmental staff offices, 
mission areas, and agencies.
    (B) Represent and act as liaison for the Department in contacts 
with other Federal entities and organizations concerning matters of 
assigned continuity program responsibilities.
    (C) Oversee Department continuity of operations and emergency 
relocation facility planning, development, equipping, and preparedness 
to ensure that resources are in a constant state of readiness.
    (x) Provide for the development and administration of a Public 
Trust program for the safeguarding of national security information:
    (A) Direct and administer USDA's public trust program established 
pursuant to 5 CFR part 731 and Executive Order 13488, ``Granting 
Reciprocity on Excepted Service and Federal Contractor Employee Fitness 
and Reinvestigating Individuals in Positions of Public Trust'' (74 FR 
4111, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 189).
    (B) Direct and administer USDA's program under which information is 
safeguarded pursuant to Executive Order 13526, ``Classified National 
Security Information'' (75 FR 707, 3 CFR, Comp. 2010, p. 298), or 
subsequent orders.
    (C) Establish and maintain Information Security policies and 
procedures for classifying, declassifying, safeguarding, and disposing 
of classified

[[Page 65512]]

national security information and materials.
    (D) Investigate or delegate authority to investigate any potential 
compromises of classified national security information and take 
corrective action for violations or infractions under section 5.5(b) of 
Executive Order 13526 or any subsequent order.
    (E) Develop and maintain oversight of all facilities throughout 
USDA where classified national security information is or will be 
safeguarded, discussed, or processed including sole authority to 
liaison with the Central Intelligence Agency concerning guidance, 
approval, requirements, and oversight of USDA secure facilities.
    (F) Act as the USDA focal point to identify, receive, disseminate 
and safeguard USDA related intelligence information as required; convey 
information to USDA policy officials; and liaise with the intelligence 
community, as appropriate.
    (xi) Control within USDA the acquisition, use, and disposal of 
material and equipment that can be a source of ionizing radiation.
    (A) Promulgate policies and procedures for ensuring the safety of 
USDA employees, the public, and the environment resulting from USDA's 
use of ionizing radiation sources.
    (B) Maintain and ensure compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission regulations (Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations) and 
license(s) issued to USDA for the acquisition, use, and disposal of 
radioactive materials.
* * * * *
    (13) * * *
    (ii) Provide Departmentwide coordination for efforts to improve 
customer service.
* * * * *

0
11. Amend Sec.  2.25 by adding paragraph (a)(26) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.25  Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

    (a) * * *
    (26) As directed by section 12403(a) of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018, conduct civil rights impact analyses in accordance with 
Departmental Regulation 4300-004 issued on October 17, 2016, with 
respect to the Department's employment, federally conducted programs 
and activities, and federally assisted programs and activities.
* * * * *

0
12. Amend Sec.  2.26 by adding paragraphs (a)(1)(xxx), (xlv), and 
(xlviii) and (a)(1)(l) to read as follows:


 Sec.  2.26  Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 
Affairs.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (xxx) Promote cooperation and coordination between 1862, 1890, 
1994, and NLGCA Institutions, HSACUs, and cooperating forestry schools 
and international partner institutions in developing countries by 
exercising the Secretary's authority in 7 U.S.C. 3292, including 
coordinating with the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics to place interns from covered institutions in, or in service 
to benefit, developing countries.
* * * * *
    (xlv) Administer the International Agricultural Education 
Fellowship Program (7 U.S.C. 3295).
* * * * *
    (xlviii) Compile and make available information relating to the 
improvement of international food security, and provide technical 
assistance for the improvement of international food security to 
Federal, State, or local agencies; agencies or instrumentalities of the 
government of foreign country; domestic or international organizations; 
or intergovernmental organizations (7 U.S.C. 1736dd).
* * * * *
    (l) In consultation with the Tribal Advisory Committee and the 
Director of the Office of Tribal Relations, and in coordination with 
the Secretaries of Commerce, State, Interior, and the heads of any 
other relevant Federal agencies, implement section 3312 of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 5608) to support greater 
inclusion of Tribal agricultural food products in Federal trade 
activities.
* * * * *

Subpart D--Delegations of Authority to Other General Officers and 
Agency Heads

0
13. Amend Sec.  2.29 by adding paragraphs (a)(4)(v) and (a)(14)(iv) and 
revising paragraph (a)(16) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.29  Chief Economist.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (v) Coordinate with the Director of the National Drought Mitigation 
Center and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to enhance the collection of data to improve the 
accuracy of the United States Drought Monitor (7 U.S.C. 5856).
* * * * *
    (14) * * *
    (iv) Carry out the duties of the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison, including entering into contracts or cooperative agreements 
with the research centers of the Research, Education, and Economics 
mission area, institutions of higher education, or non-profit 
organizations (7 U.S.C. 6924).
* * * * *
    (16) Related to Pest Management and Policy. (i) Coordinate USDA 
policy relative to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide 
Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) and coordinate the Department's 
Integrated Pest Management Programs and the Pesticide Assessment 
Program (7 U.S.C. 136-136y) (7 U.S.C. 7653).
    (ii) Conduct a multiple crop and pesticide use survey as authorized 
by section 10109 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.
* * * * *

0
14. Amend Sec.  2.31 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.31  General Counsel.

* * * * *
    (c) Related to the Freedom of Information Act. (1) Serve as the 
Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer for the Department; oversee 
general officers and agency heads in efficient and appropriate 
compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552); monitor implementation of 5 U.S.C. 552 throughout the 
agency and keep the Secretary and the Attorney General informed 
regarding agency performance in its implementation; recommend to the 
Secretary necessary adjustments to agency practices, policies, 
personnel, and funding to improve implementation of 5 U.S.C. 552; 
review and report to the Attorney General, through the Secretary, as 
the Attorney General may direct; and, facilitate public understanding 
of the purposes of the statutory exemptions contained in 5 U.S.C. 552.
    (2) Manage the Freedom of Information Act operations for the 
Research, Education, and Economics mission area, the Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs mission area, and all staff offices of the 
Department.

0
15. Add Sec.  2.32 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.32  Chief Information Officer.

    (a) Delegations. The Chief Information Officer is responsible for 
executing the duties enumerated in Public Law 104-106 for agency Chief 
Information Officers, and additional specified duties, as follows:
    (1) Report directly to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding 
information technology matters.
    (2) Oversee all information technology and information resource 
management activities relating to the programs and

[[Page 65513]]

operations of the Department and component agencies. This oversight 
includes approving information technology investments, monitoring and 
evaluating the performance of those investments and information 
resource management activities, approval of all architectures and 
components thereto and determining whether to continue, modify, or 
terminate an information technology program or project.
    (3) Provide advice and other assistance to the Secretary and other 
senior management personnel to ensure that information technology 
acquired and managed for the Department consistent with chapter 35 of 
title 44, United States Code (Coordination of Federal Information 
Policy).
    (4) Develop, implement, and maintain a sound and integrated 
Departmentwide information technology architecture.
    (5) Promote the effective and efficient design and operation of all 
major information resources management processes for the Department, 
including improvements to work processes of the Department.
    (6) Approve the acquisition or procurement of information 
technology resources by, or on behalf of, any Department agency or 
office.
    (7) Collaborate with Department procurement personnel with respect 
to information technology acquisition strategy and policy.
    (8) Function as the Major Information Technology Systems Executive 
in USDA to integrate and unify the management process for the 
Department's major information technology system acquisitions and to 
monitor implementation of the policies and practices set forth in 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-109, Major Systems 
Acquisitions, for information technology. This includes the authority 
to:
    (i) Ensure that OMB Circular No. A-109 is effectively implemented 
for information technology systems in the Department and that the 
management objectives of the Circular are realized.
    (ii) Review the program management of each major information 
technology system acquisition.
    (iii) Approve the appointment of the program manager for each major 
information technology systems acquisition.
    (iv) Designate any Departmental information technology acquisition 
as a major system acquisition under OMB Circular No. A-109.
    (9) On an annual basis:
    (i) Assess Departmentwide personnel requirements regarding 
knowledge and skill in information resources management, and the 
adequacy of such requirements, to achieve the performance goals 
established for information resources management.
    (ii) Develop strategies and specific plans for hiring, training, 
and professional development at the executive and management level to 
meet personnel information technology personnel requirements.
    (iii) Report to the Assistant Secretary for Administration on 
progress made in improving information resources management capability.
    (10) Function as the senior official to carry out the 
responsibilities of the Department under chapter 35 of title 44, United 
States Code (Coordination of Federal Information Policy), including:
    (i) Ensure that the information policies, principles, standards, 
guidelines, rules and regulations prescribed by OMB are appropriately 
implemented within the Department.
    (ii) Review proposed Department reporting and record keeping 
requirements, including those contained in rules and regulations, to 
ensure that they impose the minimum burden upon the public and have 
practical utility for the Department.
    (iii) Develop and implement procedures for assessing the burden to 
the public and costs to the Department of information requirements 
contained in proposed legislation affecting Department programs.
    (iv) Assist OMB in the performance of its functions assigned under 
the E-Government Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-347), including review of 
Department and Agency activities for compliance.
    (v) Assist OMB in the performance of its functions assigned under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), including 
review of Department and Agency activities for compliance.
    (11) The Chief Information Officer is also responsible for the 
following:
    (i) Provide Departmentwide guidance and direction in planning, 
developing, documenting, and managing applications software projects in 
accordance with Federal and Department information processing 
standards, procedures, and guidelines.
    (ii) Provide Departmentwide guidance and direction in all aspects 
of information technology, including: Feasibility studies; economic 
analyses; systems design; acquisition of equipment, software, services, 
and timesharing arrangements; systems installation; systems performance 
and capacity evaluation; information technology investment governance; 
cybersecurity; and privacy. Monitor these activities for agencies' 
major systems development efforts to assure effective and economic use 
of resources and compatibility among systems of various agencies when 
required.
    (iii) Manage the Enterprise Data Centers, with the exception of the 
National Finance Center; and oversee the delivery of Enterprise Data 
Center goods and services, with authority to take actions required by 
law or regulation to perform such services as a Working Capital Fund 
activity.
    (iv) Manage a comprehensive set of end user office automation 
services and oversee the delivery of goods and services associated with 
end user office automation services, including desktop computers, 
enterprise networking support, handheld devices, and voice 
telecommunications, with authority to take actions required by law or 
regulation to perform such services as a Working Capital Fund activity.
    (v) Manage the Agricultural Security Operations Center to enable 
the Department to effectively monitor, detect, analyze, protect, 
report, and respond against known cyber vulnerabilities, attacks, and 
exploitations.
    (vi) Manage the Department's Certification and Accreditation 
process to ensure the Department and agencies have successfully 
conducted periodic risk assessments of its systems; grant the authority 
to operate for systems that have successfully completed the 
Certification and Accreditation process; and rescind or suspend the 
authority to operate for systems subject to repeated and/or significant 
security issues.
    (vii) Ensure that OMB Circular No. A-16, Coordination of Geographic 
Information and Related Spatial Data Activities, is effectively 
implemented in the Department and that the management objectives of the 
Circular are realized; and providing Departmentwide guidance and 
direction in governing, developing, implementing, and maintaining a 
sound and integrated geospatial architecture.
    (viii) Provide technical assistance, coordination, and guidance to 
Department agencies in planning, developing, and carrying out satellite 
remote sensing activities to ensure full consideration and evaluation 
of advanced technology; designate the Executive Secretary for the 
Remote Sensing Coordination Committee; and coordinate administrative, 
management, and budget information relating to the Department's remote 
sensing activities including:
    (A) Inter- and intra-agency meetings, correspondence, and records;
    (B) Budget and management tracking systems; and

[[Page 65514]]

    (C) Inter-agency contacts and technology transfer.
    (ix) Review and evaluate information technology activities related 
to delegated functions to assure that they conform to all applicable 
Federal and Department information technology management policies, 
plans, standards, procedures, and guidelines.
    (x) Design, develop, implement, and revise systems, processes, work 
methods, and techniques to improve the management and operational 
effectiveness of information resources.
    (xi) Manage all aspects of the USDA Telecommunications Program 
including planning, development, acquisition, and use of equipment and 
systems for voice, data, and communications, excluding the actual 
procurement of data transmission equipment, software, maintenance, and 
related supplies.
    (xii) Manage Departmental telecommunications contracts.
    (xiii) Provide technical advice throughout the Department.
    (xiv) Implement a program for applying information resources 
management technology to improve productivity in the Department.
    (xv) Plan, develop, install, and operate computer-based systems for 
message exchange, scheduling, computer conferencing, televideo 
technologies, and other applications of office automation technology 
which can be commonly used by multiple Department agencies and offices.
    (xvi) Represent the Department in contacts with the Government 
Accountability Office, the General Services Administration, OMB, the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, and other organizations 
or agencies on matters related to delegated responsibilities.
    (12) Implement policies established pursuant to paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (a)(11) of this section by:
    (i) Disposing of information technology that is acquired by a 
Department agency in violation of procedures or standards for the 
Department Information Systems Technology Architecture.
    (ii) Establishing information technology and information resources 
management performance standards for mission area Chief Information 
Officers, information resources managers, and project managers to be 
used in the performance appraisal process.
    (iii) Approving the selection of mission area Chief Information 
Officers and mission area major information technology system project 
managers in accordance with OMB policies.
    (iv) Providing recommendations to mission area heads for the 
removal or replacement of information technology project managers, 
when, in the opinion of the Chief Information Officer, applicable laws 
and policies are being violated, or, when the cost, schedule, or 
performance of an information technology project would indicate 
management deficiencies.
    (v) Withdrawing agencies' authority to obligate funds on 
Information Technology programs or projects if the agency violates the 
Chief Information Officer policies, standards, or Department 
Information Systems Technology Architecture.
    (vi) Requiring mission areas to validate and verify major 
information technology systems through the use of an existing contract 
for such purpose designated by the Chief Information Officer.
    (vii) Requiring approval by the Chief Information Officer of any 
proposed acquisition of information technology (whether through the 
award or modification of a procurement contract, a cooperative or other 
agreement with a non-Federal party, or an interagency agreement) to 
ensure technical conformance to the Department technical architecture.
    (viii) Providing guidance to USDA regarding implementation of 
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as on-going consultative 
assistance regarding information technology accessibility, and 
reviewing progress made toward achieving information technology 
accessibility for USDA employees and individuals with disabilities.
    (13) Related to the Privacy Act. Appoint a Department Privacy Act 
Officer; oversee general officers and agency heads in the development 
and implementation of policies issued pursuant to the provisions of the 
Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a; and provide consultation and guidance 
regarding those policies.
    (b) [Reserved]

0
16. Amend Sec.  2.38 by revising paragraph (a)(1)(iv) and adding 
paragraphs (a)(2)(vi) through (viii) and (a)(7) and (8) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.38  Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iv) Administer section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279), as amended, except 
for the beginning farmer and rancher development program in subsection 
(d) and authorities related to the Census of Agriculture and economic 
studies in subsection (j) of that section.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vi) Consult with the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs on the implementation of section 3312 of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 5608) to support greater 
inclusion of Tribal agricultural food products in Federal trade 
activities.
    (vii) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Rural 
Development, provide technical assistance to improve access by Tribal 
entities to rural development programs funded by the Department of 
Agriculture through available cooperative agreement authorities (7 
U.S.C. 2671).
    (viii) Oversee the Tribal Advisory Committee (7 U.S.C. 6921).
* * * * *
    (7) Oversee the Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator (7 
U.S.C. 6934b).
    (8) Exercise the authority of the Secretary related to Tribal 
Promise Zones under section 12510 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018 (25 U.S.C. 4301 note).
* * * * *

Subpart F--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for Farm 
Production and Conservation

0
17. Amend Sec.  2.41 by adding paragraph (a)(6) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.41  Chief Operating Officer, Farm Production and Conservation 
Business Center.

    (a) * * *
    (6) Administer a Century Farms Program as authorized by section 
12508 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 2266a).
* * * * *

0
18. Amend Sec.  2.42 by:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(10), removing the term ``7 U.S.C. 450j et seq.'' 
and adding in its place the term ``7 U.S.C. 4551 et seq.''; and
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(58) introductory text; and
0
c. Adding paragraph (a)(63).
    The revision and additions read as follows:


Sec.  2.42  Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

    (a) * * *
    (58) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 
2014, Public Law 113-79, as amended:
* * * * *
    (63) Administer the following provisions of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 116-334:

[[Page 65515]]

    (i) Section 5413 relating to reporting on farm loans (7 U.S.C. 
2008x).
    (ii) Section 12304 relating to the National Beginning Farmer and 
Rancher Coordinator (7 U.S.C. 6934a).
    (iii) Section 12612 relating to a national agriculture imagery 
program (7 U.S.C. 2204j).
    (iv) Section 12615 relating to the eligibility for farm operators 
on heirs' property to obtain a farm loan number (7 U.S.C. 2266b).
* * * * *

0
19. Amend Sec.  2.43 by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (a)(3) introductory text and (a)(4)(i);
0
b. Removing and reserving paragraph (a)(5);
0
c. Revising paragraph (a)(13);
0
d. Adding paragraph (a)(16);
0
e. Revising paragraph (a)(23)(xiv); and
0
f. Adding paragraphs (a)(31) and (32).
    The revisions and additions to read as follows:


Sec.  2.43  Chief, Natural Resources and Conservation Service.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Administer the basic program of soil and water conservation 
under Public Law 74-46, as amended, and related laws (16 U.S.C. 590a-f, 
q, q-1; 42 U.S.C. 3271-3274; 7 U.S.C. 2201), including:
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) The eleven authorized watershed projects authorized under the 
Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534), except for responsibilities 
assigned to the Forest Service;
* * * * *
    (13) Administer natural resources conservation authorities, 
including authorities related to programs of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation that provide assistance with respect to natural resources 
conservation, under Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 
Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), including the following:
    (i) Technical assistance related to the conservation of highly 
erodible lands and wetlands pursuant to sections 1211-1224 of the Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3811-3824);
    (ii) Technical assistance related to the Conservation Reserve 
Program authorized by sections 1231-1235 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3831-
3835);
    (iii) The Wetlands Reserve Program and the Emergency Wetlands 
Reserve Program authorized by sections 1237-1237F of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
3837-3837f) prior to February 7, 2014, the transition authority under 
section 2703 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, and the Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations for Relief from the Major, Widespread 
Flooding in the Midwest Act, Public Law 103-75;
    (iv) The Conservation Security Program authorized by sections 1238-
1238C of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3838-3838c) and the Conservation 
Stewardship Program authorized by sections 1240I-1240L-1 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-21--3839aa-25).
    (v) The Farmland Protection Program authorized by sections 1238H-
1238I of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3838h-3838i) prior to February 7, 2014, and 
the transition authority under section 2704 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014;
    (vi) The Farm Viability Program authorized by section 1238J of the 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838j) prior to February 7, 2014, and the transition 
authority under section 2704 of the Agricultural Act of 2014;
    (vii) The Environmental Quality Incentives Program authorized by 
sections 1240-1240H of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3839aa-8), the 
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program authorized by section 1240H of 
the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-9) prior to February 7, 2014, and section 
2706 of the Agricultural Act of 2014;
    (viii) The conservation of private grazing lands authorized by 
section 1240M of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb);
    (ix) The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program authorized by section 
1240N of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1) prior to February 7, 2014 and 
Section 2707 of the Agricultural Act of 2014;
    (x) The program for soil erosion and sedimentation control in the 
Great Lakes basin authorized by section 1240P of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
3839bb-3) prior to February 7, 2014, and section 2708 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014;
    (xi) The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program authorized by section 
1240Q of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-4) prior to February 7, 2014, and 
section 2709 of the Agricultural Act of 2014;
    (xii) The delivery of technical assistance under section 1242 of 
the Act (16 U.S.C. 3842), including the approval of persons or entities 
outside of USDA to provide technical services;
    (xiii) The authority for partnerships and cooperation provided by 
section 1243 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3843) prior to February 7, 2014, and 
section 2710 of the Agricultural Act of 2014; and
    (xiv) The incentives for certain farmers and ranchers and Indian 
tribes and the protection of certain proprietary information related to 
natural resources conservation programs as provided by section 1244 of 
the Act (16 U.S.C. 3844), except for responsibilities assigned to the 
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
    (xv) The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program 
authorized by section 1252 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3851).
    (xvi) The authority under sections 1261-1262 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
3861-3862) to establish and utilize State Technical Committees.
    (xvii) Those portions of the Grassland Reserve Program under 
sections 1238N-1238Q of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3838n-3838q) prior to 
February 7, 2014, and section 2705 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 that 
are or become the responsibility of the Under Secretary for Farm 
Production and Conservation.
    (xiii) The authority in section 1241 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3841) to 
accept and use voluntary contributions of non-Federal funds in support 
of natural resources conservation programs under subtitle D of title 
XII of the Act with respect to authorities delegated to the Chief, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
    (xix) The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program authorized by 
sections 1265-1265D of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3865-3865d).
    (xx) The Regional Conservation Partnership Program authorized by 
sections 1271-1271F of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3871-3871f).
    (xxi) The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program 
authorized by section 1240R of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5).
    (xxii) A wetlands mitigation banking program authorized by section 
1222(k) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3822(k)).
* * * * *
    (16) Administer the state and private forest landscape-scale 
restoration program (16 U.S.C. 2109a).
* * * * *
    (23) * * *
    (xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to 
settlement, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act.
* * * * *
    (31) Enter into cooperative agreements, which may provide for the 
acquisition of goods or services, including personal services, as 
authorized by Public Law 106-387 (7 U.S.C. 6962a).
    (32) Administer the following provisions of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 116-334):
    (i) Section 1704 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a), authorizing waivers of the 
adjusted gross income limitation.
    (ii) In consultation with the Administrator, Farm Service Agency, 
and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Section 2707 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 note), relating to wildlife management.

[[Page 65516]]

    (iii) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs, Section 2408 (7 U.S.C. 8351 note), relating to the 
Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program.
    (iv) Section 8628, relating to the purchase of Natural Resources 
Conservation Service property in Riverside County, California.
    (v) Section 12302, relating to the Office of Urban Agriculture and 
Innovative Production.
* * * * *

0
20. Amend Sec.  2.44 by adding paragraph (a)(9) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.44  Administrator, Risk Management Agency and Manager, Federal 
Crop Insurance Corporation.

    (a) * * *
    (9) Coordinate with the Administrator, Farm Service Agency, on the 
type and format of data received under the noninsured crop assistance 
program authorized by Sec. 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L 104-127, as amended) (7 U.S.C. 7333).
* * * * *

Subpart G--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Rural Development

0
21. Correctly designate Sec. Sec.  2.45 through 2.49 as subpart G under 
the heading set forth above.

0
22. Add Sec.  2.45 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.45  Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development.

    Pursuant to Sec.  2.17(a), subject to reservations in Sec.  
2.17(b), and subject to policy guidance and direction by the Under 
Secretary for Rural Development, the following delegation of authority 
is made to the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, to be 
exercised only during the absence or unavailability of the Under 
Secretary: Perform all the duties and exercise all the powers which are 
now or which may hereafter be delegated to the Under Secretary for 
Rural Development.

0
23. Amend Sec.  2.47 by revising (a)(1) and adding paragraphs (a)(9), 
(11), and (15) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.47  Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

    (a) * * *
    (1) Administer the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 901, et seq.): Provided, however, that the Administrator may 
utilize consultants and attorneys for the provision of legal services 
pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 918, with the concurrence of the General Counsel.
* * * * *
    (9) Consult with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Communications and Information to assist in the verification of 
eligibility of the broadband loan and grant programs of the Department 
of Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 950bb-6).
* * * * *
    (11) In coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, 
administer Section 12511 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
(Pub. L. 115-334) relating to the precision agriculture connectivity 
task force.
* * * * *
    (15) In coordination with the Office of Tribal Relations, provide 
technical assistance to improve access by Tribal entities to rural 
development programs funded by the Department of Agriculture through 
available cooperative agreement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2671).
* * * * *

0
24. Amend Sec.  2.48 by adding paragraph (a)(15), revising paragraphs 
(a)(28) and (29), and adding paragraphs (a)(35) and (36) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.48  Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

    (a) * * *
    (15) In coordination with the Office of Tribal Relations, provide 
technical assistance to improve access by Tribal entities to rural 
development programs funded by the Department of Agriculture through 
available cooperative agreement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2671).
* * * * *
    (28) In coordination with the Administrator of the Agricultural 
Marketing Service, administer the value-added producer grants program 
and farmers' markets and local food promotion program (7 U.S.C. 
1627c(d)(5)-(6)).
    (29) Administer the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration 
program (7 U.S.C. 1632b).
* * * * *
    (35) Implementation of a program for the Federal procurement of 
biobased products and of a voluntary ``USDA Certified Biobased 
product'' labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102).
    (36) Entering into cooperative agreements to further research 
programs in the food and agricultural sciences, related to establishing 
and implementing Federal biobased procurement and voluntary biobased 
labeling programs (7 U.S.C. 3318).
* * * * *

0
25. Amend Sec.  2.49 by adding paragraphs (a)(7) and (9) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.49  Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

    (a) * * *
    (7) In coordination with the Office of Tribal Relations, provide 
technical assistance to improve access by Tribal entities to rural 
development programs funded by the Department of Agriculture through 
available cooperative agreement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2671).
* * * * *
    (9) In consultation with the Department of Justice, Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development, and Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, administer the emergency and transitional pet shelter and 
housing assistance grant program (34 U.S.C. 20127).
* * * * *

Subpart I--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

0
26. Amend Sec.  2.57 by adding paragraphs (a)(1)(xiii) and (xiv) and 
revising paragraph (a)(2)(xii) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.57  Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (xiii) Section 4208 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 2026a).
    (xiv) Section 12614 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 6925).
    (2) * * *
    (xii) Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
7501 et seq.);
* * * * *

Subpart J--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Natural Resources and Environment

0
27. Amend Sec.  2.60 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.60  Chief, Forest Service.

    (a) Delegations. Pursuant to Sec.  2.20(a)(1), (2), and (6), 
(a)(7)(ii), and (a)(8), the following delegations of authority are made 
by the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to the 
Chief of the Forest Service:

[[Page 65517]]

    (1) Provide national leadership in forestry. (As used here and 
elsewhere in this section, the term ``forestry'' encompasses renewable 
and nonrenewable resources of forests, including lands governed by the 
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, forest-related 
rangeland, grassland, brushland, woodland, and alpine areas including 
but not limited to recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, 
wildlife and fish; natural scenic, scientific, cultural, and historic 
values of forests and related lands; and derivative values such as 
economic strength and social well-being).
    (2) Protect, manage, and administer the national forests, national 
forest purchase units, national grasslands, and other lands and 
interests in lands administered by the Forest Service, which 
collectively are designated as the National Forest System.
    (3) Acquire, dispose, and lease lands and interest in lands as may 
be authorized for the protection, management, and administration of the 
National Forest System, except that the authority to approve 
acquisition of land under the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, as amended, 
and special forest receipts acts (Pub. L. No. 337, 74th Cong., 49 Stat. 
866, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 505, 
75th Cong., 52 Stat. 347, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 
Stat. 227; Pub. L. 634, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 699, as amended by Pub. L. 
310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. No. 748, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 
1205, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 427, 
76th Cong., 54 Stat. 46; Pub. L. 589, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 297; Pub. L. 
591, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 299; Pub. L. 637, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 402; 
Pub. L. 781, 84th Cong., 70 Stat. 632) is limited to acquisitions of 
less than $250,000 in value.
    (4) As necessary for administrative purposes, divide into and 
designate as national forests any lands of 3,000 acres or less which 
are acquired under or subject to the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, as 
amended, and which are contiguous to existing national forest 
boundaries established under the authority of the Weeks Act.
    (5) Plan and administer wildlife and fish conservation 
rehabilitation and habitat management programs on National Forest 
System lands, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 670g, 670h, and 670.
    (6) For the purposes of the National Forests System Drug Control 
Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 559b 559g), specifically designate certain 
specially trained officers and employees of the Forest Service, not 
exceeding 500, to have authority in the performance of their duties 
within the boundaries of the National Forest System:
    (i) To carry firearms;
    (ii) To enforce and conduct investigations of violations of section 
401 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 841) and other criminal 
violations relating to marijuana and other controlled substances that 
are manufactured, distributed, or dispensed on National Forest System 
lands;
    (iii) To make arrests with a warrant or process for misdemeanor 
violations, or without a warrant for violations of such misdemeanors 
that any such officer or employee has probable cause to believe are 
being committed in that employee's presence or view, or for a felony 
with a warrant or without a warrant if that employee has probable cause 
to believe that the person being arrested has committed or is 
committing such a felony;
    (iv) To serve warrants and other process issued by a court or 
officer of competent jurisdiction;
    (v) To search, with or without a warrant or process, any person, 
place, or conveyance according to Federal law or rule of law; and
    (vi) To seize, with or without warrant or process, any evidentiary 
item according to Federal law or rule of law.
    (7) Cooperate with the law enforcement officials of any Federal 
agency, State, or political subdivision, in the investigation of 
violations of, and enforcement of, section 401 of the Controlled 
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841), other laws and regulations relating to 
marijuana and other controlled substances, and State drug control laws 
or ordinances, within the boundaries of the National Forest System.
    (8) Administer programs under section 23 of the Federal Highway Act 
(23 U.S.C. 101(a), 120(f), 125(a)-(c), 138, 202(a)-(b), 203, 204(a)-
(c), 205(a)-(d), 211, 317, 401).
    (9) Administer provisions of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1272, 1305) as they relate to 
management of the National Forest System.
    (10) Conduct, support, and cooperate in investigations, 
experiments, tests, and other activities deemed necessary to obtain, 
analyze, develop, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information 
about protecting, managing, and utilizing forest and rangeland 
renewable resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas in the United 
States and foreign countries. The activities conducted, supported, or 
cooperated in shall include, but not be limited to: Renewable resource 
management research; renewable resource environmental research; 
renewable resource protection research, renewable resource utilization 
research, and renewable resource assessment research (16 U.S.C. 1641-
1647).
    (11) Use authorities and means available to disseminate the 
knowledge and technology developed from forestry research (16 U.S.C. 
1645).
    (12) Coordinate activities with other agencies in USDA, other 
Federal and State agencies, forestry schools, and private entities and 
individuals (16 U.S.C. 1643).
    (13) Enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements for 
the support of scientific research in forestry activities (7 U.S.C. 
3105, 1624; 16 U.S.C. 582a-8, 1643-1645, 1649).
    (14) Enter into cooperative research and development agreements 
with industry, universities, and others; institute a cash award program 
to reward scientific, engineering, and technical personnel; award 
royalties to inventors; and retain and use royalty income (15 U.S.C. 
3710a-3710c).
    (15) Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to 
further research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and 
agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3152, 3318).
    (16) Enter into cost-reimbursable agreements relating to 
agricultural research, extension, or teaching activities (7 U.S.C. 
3319a).
    (17) Administer programs of cooperative forestry assistance in the 
protection, conservation, and multiple resource management of forests 
and related resources in both rural and urban areas and forest lands in 
foreign countries (16 U.S.C. 2101-2114).
    (18) Provide assistance to States and other units of government in 
forest resources planning and forestry rural revitalization (7 U.S.C. 
6601, 6611-6617; 16 U.S.C. 2107).
    (19) Conduct a program of technology implementation for State 
forestry personnel, private forest landowners and managers, vendors, 
forest operators, public agencies, and individuals (16 U.S.C. 2107).
    (20) Administer rural fire protection and control program (16 
U.S.C. 2106c).
    (21) Provide technical assistance on forestry technology or the 
implementation of the conservation reserve and softwood timber programs 
authorized in sections 1231-1244 and 1254 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831-3844; 7 U.S.C. 1981 note).
    (22) Administer forest insect, disease, and other pest management 
programs (16 U.S.C. 2104).
    (23) Exercise the custodial functions of the Secretary for lands 
and interests

[[Page 65518]]

in lands under lease or contract of sale to States and local agencies 
pursuant to title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act and 
administer reserved and reversionary interests in lands conveyed under 
that Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1013a).
    (24) Under such general program criteria and procedures as may be 
established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service:
    (i) Administer the forestry aspects of the programs listed in 
paragraphs (a)(24)(i)(A) through (C) of this section on the National 
Forest System, rangelands with national forest boundaries, adjacent 
rangelands which are administered under formal agreement, and other 
forest lands:
    (A) The cooperative river basin surveys and investigations program 
(16 U.S.C. 1006);
    (B) The eleven authorized watershed improvement programs and 
emergency flood prevention measures program under the Flood Control Act 
of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534);
    (C) The small watershed protection program under the Pilot 
Watershed Protection and Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Acts 
(7 U.S.C. 701a-h; 16 U.S.C. 1001-1009).
    (ii) Exercise responsibility in connection with the forestry 
aspects of the resource conservation and development program authorized 
by title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(e)).
    (25) Provide assistance to the Farm Service Agency in connection 
with the agricultural conservation program, the naval stores 
conservation program, and the cropland conversion program (16 U.S.C. 
590g-q).
    (26) Provide assistance to the Rural Housing Service in connection 
with grants and loans under authority of section 303 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1923;
    (27) Coordinate mapping work of USDA including:
    (i) Clearing mapping projects to prevent duplication;
    (ii) Keeping a record of mapping done by USDA agencies;
    (iii) Preparing and submitting required USDA reports;
    (iv) Serving as liaison on mapping with the Office of Management 
and Budget, Department of the Interior, and other departments and 
establishments;
    (v) Promoting interchange of technical mapping information, 
including techniques which may reduce costs or improve quality; and
    (vi) Maintaining the mapping records formerly maintained by the 
Office of Operations.
    (28) Administer the radio frequency licensing work of USDA, 
including:
    (i) Representing USDA on the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory 
Committee and its Frequency Assignment Subcommittee of the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of 
Commerce;
    (ii) Establishing policies, standards, and procedures for allotting 
and assigning frequencies within USDA and for obtaining effective 
utilization of them;
    (iii) Providing licensing action necessary to assign radio 
frequencies for use by the agencies of USDA and maintenance of the 
records necessary in connection therewith; and
    (iv) Providing inspection of USDA's radio operations to ensure 
compliance with national and international regulations and policies for 
radio frequency use.
    (29) Represent USDA in all matters relating to responsibilities and 
authorities under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a-823).
    (30) Administer the Youth Conservation Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1701-
1706)) for USDA.
    (31) Establish and operate the Job Corps Civilian Conservation 
Centers on National Forest System lands as authorized by title I, 
sections 106 and 107 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2716), in accordance with the terms of an agreement dated May 11, 1967, 
between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Labor; and 
administration of other cooperative manpower training and work 
experience programs where the Forest Service serves as host or prime 
sponsor with other Departments of Federal, State, or local governments.
    (32) Administer the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972 
(16 U.S.C. 558a-558d, 558a note).
    (33) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture 
authorized in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 3101-3215).
    (34) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned under the 
Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.), 
and title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), relating to forests and forest 
products, rural fire defense, and forestry research.
    (35) Represent USDA on Regional Response Teams on hazardous spills 
and oil spills pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), 
the Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the Oil 
Pollution Act (OPA), as amended (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), Executive 
Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, Executive Order 12777, 3 CFR, 
1991 Comp., p. 351, and the National Contingency Plan, 40 CFR part 300.
    (36) Exercise the functions of the Secretary as authorized in the 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271-1287, except for making 
recommendations to the President regarding additions to the National 
Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
    (37) Issue proposed rules relating to the authorities delegated in 
this section, issue final rules and regulations as provided in 36 CFR 
261.70, issue technical amendments and corrections to final rules 
issued by the Secretary or Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment, and issue proposed and final rules necessary and 
appropriate to carry out title VIII of the Alaska National Interest 
Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3101-3215) with regard to National 
Forest System Lands.
    (38) Jointly administer gypsy moth eradication activities with the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, under the authority of 
section 102 of the Organic Act of 1944, as amended; and the Act of 
April 6, 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 7759, 148, 148a-148e); and the 
Talmadge Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 1633), by assuming primary responsibility 
for treating isolated gypsy moth infestations on Federal lands, and on 
State and private lands contiguous to infested Federal lands, and any 
other infestations over 640 acres on State and private lands.
    (39) With respect to land and facilities under his or her 
authority, to exercise the functions delegated to the Secretary by 
Executive Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, under the following 
provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act of 1980 (``the Act''), as amended:
    (i) Sections 104(a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604 
(a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in 
the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, 
pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;
    (ii) Sections 104 (e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604 (e)-(h)), with 
respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; 
compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor 
standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;
    (iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with 
respect to the

[[Page 65519]]

reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;
    (iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to 
the acquisition of real property and interests in real property 
required to conduct a remedial action;
    (v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
9605(d)), with respect to petitions for preliminary assessment of a 
release or threatened release;
    (vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to 
consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in 
awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) of the 
Act pertaining to the annual report to Congress;
    (vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the 
assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing 
information;
    (viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect 
to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous 
Substances Superfund;
    (ix) Section 113(g) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(g)), with respect to 
receiving notification of a natural resource trustee's intent to file 
suit;
    (x) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to 
establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection 
of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially 
responsible parties;
    (xi) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to 
preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;
    (xii) Section 117(a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617(a) and 
(c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any 
plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final 
remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, 
including any settlement or consent decree entered into;
    (xiii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9619), with respect to 
indemnifying response action contractors;
    (xiv) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to 
cleanup standards; and
    (xv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to 
settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
9622(b)(1)), related to mixed funding agreements.
    (40) Exercise the functions of the Secretary authorized in the 
Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987 (30 U.S.C. 226 
et seq.).
    (41) With respect to facilities and activities under his or her 
authority, to exercise the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture 
pursuant to section 1-102 related to compliance with applicable 
pollution control standards and section 1-601 of Executive Order 12088, 
3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 243, to enter into an inter-agency agreement with 
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or an administrative 
consent order or a consent judgment in an appropriate United States 
District Court with an appropriate State, interstate, or local agency, 
containing a plan and schedule to achieve and maintain compliance with 
applicable pollution control standards established pursuant to the 
following:
    (i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment, 
and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
    (ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);
    (iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);
    (iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
    (v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);
    (vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, (15 U.S.C. 2601 et 
seq.);
    (vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and
    (viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and 
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).
    (42) With respect to land and facilities under his or her 
authority, exercise the functions delegated to the Secretary by 
Executive Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, and Executive Order 
12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351, to act as Federal trustee for natural 
resources in accordance with section 107(f) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9607(f)), section 311(f)(5) of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(f)(5)), and section 1006(b)(2) of the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2706(b)(2)).
    (43) With respect to land and facilities under his or her 
authority, to exercise the authority vested in the Secretary of 
Agriculture to act as the ``Federal Land Manager'' pursuant to the 
Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
    (44) Administer the Public Lands Corps program (16 U.S.C. 1721 et 
seq.) for USDA consistent with the Department's overall national 
service program.
    (45) [Reserved]
    (46) Focusing on countries that could have a substantial impact on 
global warming, provide assistance that promotes sustainable 
development and global environmental stability; share technical, 
managerial, extension, and administrative skills; provide education and 
training opportunities; engage in scientific exchange; and cooperate 
with domestic and international organizations that further 
international programs for the management and protection of forests, 
rangelands, wildlife, fisheries and related natural resources (16 
U.S.C. 4501-4505).
    (47) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture 
authorized in Title V of the Department of the Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998, Public Law 105-83, relating to the 
acquisition so the New World Mines and other priority land 
acquisitions, land exchanges, and other activities.
    (48) Establish programs with any bureau of the U.S. Department of 
the Interior (DOI), or with other agencies within USDA, in support of 
the Service First initiative for the purpose of promoting customer 
service and efficiency, including delegating to employees of DOI and 
other USDA agencies the authorities of the Forest Service necessary to 
carry out projects on behalf of USDA (43 U.S.C. 1703).
    (49) At the request of the Director, Homeland Security Staff 
(Director), designate law enforcement personnel of the Forest Service 
to assist the Director in providing for the personal security for the 
Secretary and the Deputy Secretary in the National Forest System.
    (50) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 
1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).
    (51) Administer a program, through the Deputy Chief of State and 
Private Forestry, for providing loans to eligible units of local 
government to finance the purchase of equipment to monitor, remove, 
dispose of, and replace infested trees located under their jurisdiction 
and within the borders of quarantined areas (16 U.S.C. 2104a).
    (52) [Reserved]
    (53) Administer the community wood energy program providing grants 
to develop community wood energy plans, acquire or upgrade community 
wood energy systems, and establish or expand biomass consumer 
cooperatives (7 U.S.C. 8113).
    (54) Conduct activities that assist the Director, Office of 
Environmental

[[Page 65520]]

Markets, in developing guidelines regarding the development of 
environmental services markets.
    (55) Administer the programs authorized by the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), except for the 
Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized in title V of such act (16 
U.S.C. 6571-6578).
    (56) Administer Good Neighbor contracts and cooperative agreements 
with a State to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration 
services on National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 2113a).
    (57) Utilize the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services 
(ACES) Program (16 U.S.C. 3851) to provide technical services for 
conservation-related programs and authorities carried out on National 
Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 3851a).
    (58) Enter into reciprocal fire agreements or contracts with 
domestic entities. Administer reimbursements received for fire 
suppression (16 U.S.C. 1856-1856e).
    (59) Administer the large airtanker and aerial asset lease program 
(16 U.S.C. 551c).
    (60) Provide technical and other assistance with respect to 
eligibility of forest products for the ``USDA Certified Biobased 
Products'' labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102(g)).
    (61) Cooperate with public or private entities or individuals to 
perform work on state, county, municipal, or private lands within or 
near the boundary of National Forest System lands for administration, 
protection, improvement, reforestation, and other kinds of work the 
Forest Service is authorized to do on National Forest System lands, and 
cooperate with public or private entities or individuals to perform the 
same kinds of work in connection with the use or occupancy of National 
Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 572).
    (62) Enter into reciprocal fire agreements with foreign fire 
organizations. (42 U.S.C. 1856m-1856o).
    (63) Administer the payments to states program (16 U.S.C. 500; 16 
U.S.C. 7101-7153); establish, maintain, and appoint members to Resource 
Advisory Committees (16 U.S.C. 7125).
    (64) Administer the Wood Innovation Grant program (7 U.S.C. 7655d).
* * * * *

Subpart K--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics

0
28. Amend Sec.  2.65 by revising paragraph (a)(2) and adding paragraphs 
(a)(30) and (47) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.65  Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Conduct research related to the economic feasibility of the 
manufacture and commercialization of natural rubber from hydrocarbon-
containing plants and other critical agricultural materials from native 
agricultural crops having strategic and industrial importance (7 U.S.C. 
178-178n).
* * * * *
    (30) Promote cooperation and coordination between 1862, 1890, 1994, 
and NLGCA Institutions, HSACUs, and cooperating forestry schools and 
international partner institutions in developing countries by 
exercising the Secretary's authority in 7 U.S.C. 3292, including 
coordinating with the Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service to 
place interns from covered institutions in, or in service to benefit, 
developing countries.
* * * * *
    (47) Establish a National Plant Disease Recovery System to engage 
in strategic long-range planning to recover from high-consequence plant 
transboundary diseases (7 U.S.C. 8914(d)).
* * * * *

0
29. Amend Sec.  2.66 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (a)(1);
0
b. Adding paragraphs (a)(9), (14), (15), (21), (27), (34), (35), (43), 
(56), (77), (79), (91), and (103);
0
c. Revising paragraph (a)(132); and
0
d. Adding paragraphs (a)(137) and (152).
    The revisions to read as follows:


Sec.  2.66  Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

    (a) * * *
    (1) Administer research and technology development grants related 
to the economic feasibility of the manufacture and commercialization of 
natural rubber from hydrocarbon-containing plants and other critical 
agricultural materials from native agricultural crops having strategic 
and industrial importance (7 U.S.C. 178-178n).
* * * * *
    (9) Administer a next generation agriculture technology challenge 
competition to incentivize mobile technology that removes marketplace 
entry barriers for beginning farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 3158).
* * * * *
    (14) Administer a program to make competitive grants to assist in 
the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, 
or remodeling of agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 390b).
    (15) Promote cooperation and coordination between 1862, 1890, 1994, 
and NLGCA Institutions, HSACUs, and cooperating forestry schools and 
international partner institutions in developing countries by 
exercising the Secretary's authority in 7 U.S.C. 3292, including 
coordinating with the Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service to 
place interns from covered institutions in, or in service to benefit, 
developing countries.
* * * * *
    (21) Administer grants to 1890 Institutions, including Tuskegee 
University, for purposes of awarding scholarships to individuals 
pursuing careers in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 
3222a).
* * * * *
    (27) Make competitive grants to land-grant colleges and 
universities, including 1994 Institutions, to provide identifiable 
support specifically targeted for Tribal students (7 U.S.C. 3222e).
* * * * *
    (34) Administer competitive grants for the acquisition of special 
purpose scientific research equipment for use in the food and 
agricultural sciences programs of eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 
3310a).
    (35) Establish a National Plant Diagnostic Network to monitor and 
surveil through diagnostics threats to plant health from diseases or 
pests of concern in the United States and establish cooperative 
agreements with land-grant colleges and universities (7 U.S.C. 
8914(c)).
* * * * *
    (43) In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production Advisory Committee, administer competitive grants to support 
research, education, and extension activities for the purposes of 
facilitating the development of urban, indoor, and other emerging 
agricultural production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, 
packaging, distribution, and markets (7 U.S.C. 5925g).
* * * * *
    (56) Prepare an annual report to Congress on disbursements of funds 
for agricultural research and extension at 1890 and 1862 Institutions 
for programs under the following authorities: 7 U.S.C. 3221; 7 U.S.C. 
3222; 7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c); and 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq. (7 U.S.C. 
2207d).
* * * * *
    (77) Recognize centers of excellence, led by 1890 Institutions, 
focused on student success and workforce development; nutrition, 
health, wellness, and quality of life; farming

[[Page 65521]]

systems, rural prosperity, and economic sustainability; global food 
security and defense, natural resources, energy, and environment; and 
emerging technologies, and submit an annual report to Congress on the 
resources invested in and work being done by such centers (7 U.S.C. 
5926).
* * * * *
    (79) Administer grants to consortia of land-grant colleges and 
universities to enhance the ability of the consortia to carry out 
multi-State research projects aimed at understanding and combating 
diseases of wheat, triticale, and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum 
and related fungi or Tilletia indica and related fungi (7 U.S.C. 7628).
* * * * *
    (91) Administer an experienced services program to obtain 
technical, professional, and administrative services to support the 
research, education, and economics mission area of the Department (16 
U.S.C. 3851).
* * * * *
    (103) In consultation with the Administrator of the Food and 
Nutrition Service, administer pilot projects to encourage the use of 
public-private partnerships committed to addressing food insecurity (7 
U.S.C. 2036d).
* * * * *
    (132) Administer a program of competitive grants, establish 
education teams, and establish an online clearinghouse of curricula and 
training materials and programs, all for training, education, outreach, 
and technical assistance initiatives for the benefit of beginning 
farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 2279(d)).
* * * * *
    (137) In consultation with the Secretary of Energy, administer 
competitive grants to provide education about carbon utilization and 
biogas (7 U.S.C. 8115).
* * * * *
    (152) Administer a competitive grant program to support the 
development and expansion of advanced training programs in agricultural 
biosecurity planning and response for food science professionals and 
veterinarians (7 U.S.C. 8913).
* * * * *

0
30. Amend Sec.  2.68 by adding paragraph (a)(14) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.68  Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

    (a) * * *
    (14) Collect and, not less frequently than once every 3 years 
report, data and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, 
and entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 2204i).
* * * * *


Sec.  2.69  [Amended]

0
31. Amend Sec.  2.69 in paragraph (b) by removing the term ``Research, 
Education, and Extension Office'' and adding in its place the term 
``Office of the Chief Scientist''.

Subpart L--Delegations of Authority by the Chief Economist

0
32. Amend Sec.  2.72 by adding paragraph (a)(2)(v) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.72  Chairman, World Agricultural Outlook Board.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Coordinate with the Director of the National Drought Mitigation 
Center and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to enhance the collection of data to improve the 
accuracy of the United States Drought Monitor (7 U.S.C. 5856).
* * * * *

0
33. Amend Sec.  2.75 by adding paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.75  Director, Office of Pest Management Policy.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Conduct a multiple crop and pesticide use survey as authorized 
by section 10109 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.
* * * * *

Subpart N--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

0
34. Amend Sec.  2.79 by revising paragraph (a)(8)(lxiii) and adding 
paragraphs (a)(8)(lxxiii), (lxxvi), (lxxx), and (a)(23) and (24) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  2.79  Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

    (a) * * *
    (8) * * *
    (lxiii) Local Agriculture Market Program (7 U.S.C. 1627c), in 
coordination with the Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service.
* * * * *
    (lxxiii) Section 12108 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
(7 U.S.C. 1622 note).
* * * * *
    (lxxvi) Section 4206 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 7518).
* * * * *
    (lxxx) Section 12513 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 
U.S.C. 1632d).
* * * * *
    (23) Administer the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile 
Mills program (7 U.S.C. 9037(c)).
    (24) In coordination with Administrator, Farm Service Agency, 
administer payments under the Special Competitive Provisions for Extra 
Long Staple Cotton (7 U.S.C. 9038).
* * * * *

0
35. Amend Sec.  2.80 by revising paragraphs (a)(14), (19), (26), and 
(27) and adding paragraphs (a)(49) through (52) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.80  Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

    (a) * * *
    (14) Talmadge-Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 1633) with respect to cooperation 
with States in control and eradication of plant and animal diseases and 
pests.
* * * * *
    (19) Section 101(d), Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 398).
* * * * *
    (26) The Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351-8352).
    (27) The Act of December 22, 1987 (7 U.S.C. 8353).
* * * * *
    (49) Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322).
    (50) In coordination with the Chief, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, Section 2408 relating to the Feral Swine Eradication and 
Control Pilot Program (7 U.S.C. 8351 note).
    (51) Section 12203(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
relating to diseases and pests of concern (7 U.S.C. 8914(b)).
    (52) Section 12601 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
relating to baiting of migratory game birds (16 U.S.C. 704 note).
* * * * *

Subpart P--Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration


Sec.  2.89  [Removed and Reserved]

0
36. Remove and reserve Sec.  2.89.


Sec.  2.90  [Amended]

0
37. Amend Sec.  2.90 by removing paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and (vii).

0
38. Add Sec.  2.94 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.94  Chief Security Director, Office of Safety, Security, and 
Protection.

    (a) Delegations from the Assistant Secretary for Administration. 
Pursuant

[[Page 65522]]

to Sec.  2.24(a)(8) and (9), and with due deference for delegations to 
other Departmental Administration officials, the following delegations 
of authority are made by the Assistant Secretary for Administration to 
the Chief Security Director:
    (1) Promulgate Departmental policies, standards, techniques, and 
procedures; and represent the Department in maintaining the security of 
physical facilities and providing security guidance to the Food and 
Agricultural Sector nationwide. This includes the following activities:
    (i) Lead and coordinate the development and maintenance of a 
mission critical facility inventory with agency involvement to ensure 
proper security countermeasures are implemented in the Department's 
most critical infrastructure.
    (ii) Provide guidance to USDA agencies in matters of physical 
security through use of physical security assessments and development 
of mitigation strategies.
    (iii) Conduct physical security investigations and compliance 
reviews Department-wide.
    (iv) Review and provide coordinated technical physical security 
assessments for all new construction of laboratories, data centers, 
germplasm repositories, and other mission critical infrastructure 
during the design phase, and all leased facilities prior to contract 
award.
    (v) Oversee and manage physical security aspects of the Common 
Identification Card (LincPass) Program to ensure National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) and General Services Administration 
(GSA) compliancy within the National Capital Region and the physical 
access to USDA facilities.
    (vi) Provide enterprise connectivity to agency physical access 
control systems that provide cost leveraging and provisioning/de-
provisioning nationwide.
    (2) Promulgate Departmental regulations, standards, techniques, and 
procedures and represent the Department in managing and maintaining a 
comprehensive physical and technical security program including access 
control, management of special police officer and guard services, 
executive driving, parking, ID badging in accordance with HSPD-12, 
occupant emergency and warden services at the USDA Headquarters 
Complex, George Washington Carver Center and, in coordination with GSA, 
USDA leased facilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, as well 
as at emergency relocation sites and certain critical facilities 
specified by the Assistant Secretary for Administration.
    (3) Carry out protection operations for the Secretary, Deputy 
Secretary, and other individuals as specified in Section 12520 of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, including by authorizing law 
enforcement officers or special agents to carry firearms; conduct 
criminal investigations into potential threats to the security of 
individuals protected under Section 12520; make arrests without a 
warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the 
presence of the law enforcement officer or special agent; perform 
protective intelligence work, including identifying and mitigating 
potential threats and conducting advance work to review security 
matters relating to sites and events; and coordinate with local law 
enforcement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2279k).
    (b) [Reserved]

0
39. Amend Sec.  2.95 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.95  Director, Office of Homeland Security.

* * * * *
    (b) Delegations from the Assistant Secretary for Administration. 
Pursuant to Sec.  2.24(a)(8), and with due deference for delegations to 
other Departmental Administration officials, the following delegations 
of authority are made by the Assistant Secretary for Administration to 
the Director, Office of Homeland Security:
    (1) Serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on homeland 
security, including emergency management and agriculture and food 
defense;
    (2) Coordinate activities of the Department, including policies, 
processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to homeland security, 
including emergency management and agriculture and food defense;
    (3) Act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department with 
other Federal departments and agencies in activities relating to 
homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and 
food defense, and provide for interagency coordination and data 
sharing;
    (4) Coordinate in the Department the gathering of information 
relevant to early warning and awareness of threats and risks to the 
food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and share that 
information with, and provide assistance with interpretation and risk 
characterization of that information to, the intelligence community (as 
defined in 5 U.S.C. 3003), law enforcement agencies, the Secretary of 
Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in section 
210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j));
    (5) Liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to assist in 
the development of periodic assessments and intelligence estimates, or 
other intelligence products, that support the defense of the food and 
agriculture critical infrastructure sector;
    (6) Coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement of 
exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness and response;
    (7) Produce a Department-wide centralized strategic coordination 
plan to provide a high-level perspective of the operations of the 
Department relating to homeland security, including emergency 
management and agriculture and food defense; and
    (8) Establish and carry out an interagency Agriculture and Food 
Threat Awareness Partnership Program, including by entering into 
cooperative agreements or contracts with Federal, State, or local 
authorities (7 U.S.C. 6922).
    (9) Administer the Department Emergency Preparedness Program. This 
includes:
    (i) Coordinate the delegations and assignments made to the 
Department under the Defense Production Act of 1950, 50 U.S.C. App. 
2061, et seq.; the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq.; and by Executive Orders 12148, 
``Federal Emergency Management'' (3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 412), 12656, 
``Assignment of Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities'' (3 CFR, 1988 
Comp., p. 585), and 13603, ``National Defense Resources Preparedness'' 
(3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 225), or any successor to these Executive 
Orders, to ensure that the Department has sufficient capabilities to 
respond to any occurrence, including natural disaster, military attack, 
technological emergency, or any all hazards incident.
    (ii) Manage the Department Emergency Operations Center at 
Headquarters and the Secretary's alternative facilities; provide senior 
staff with international, national, and regional situational awareness 
reports; and provide and maintain current information systems 
technology and National Security Systems to support USDA executive 
crisis management capability.
    (iii) Provide facilities and equipment to facilitate inter-agency 
coordination during emergencies.

[[Page 65523]]

    (iv) Activate the USDA incident management system in accordance 
with the National Response Framework and the National Incident 
Management System in the event of a major incident; and provide 
oversight and coordination of the Department's Emergency Support 
Functions as outlined in the National Response Framework.
    (v) Develop and promulgate policies for the Department regarding 
emergency preparedness and national security, including matters 
relating to anti-terrorism and agriculture-related emergency 
preparedness planning, both national and international, and guidance to 
USDA State and County Emergency Boards.
    (vi) [Reserved]
    (vii) Provide representation and liaison for the Department in 
contacts with other Federal entities and organizations, including the 
National Security Council, Homeland Security Council, Office of 
Management and Budget, Department of Homeland Security, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Office of The Director of National 
Intelligence, and Department of Defense concerning matters of a 
national security, natural disaster, other emergencies, and 
agriculture/food-related international civil emergency planning and 
related activities.
    (viii) Act as the primary USDA representative for anti-terrorism 
activities.
    (ix) [Reserved]
    (x) Provide guidance and direction regarding radiological emergency 
preparedness programs and the implementation of the National Response 
Framework's Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex to Departmental staff 
offices, mission areas, and agencies.
    (xi) Provide program leadership and coordination for USDA's 
radiological emergency preparedness requirements with respect to 
Emergency Management and Assistance (44 CFR parts 350 through 352).
    (xii) Represent USDA on the Federal Radiological Preparedness 
Coordinating Committee (FRPCC) and Regional Assistance Committees 
(RACs) and assist them in carrying out their functions.
    (xiii) Support USDA in its management of the Department's emergency 
response program with respect to radiological emergency response 
activities.
    (xiv) [Reserved]
    (10) Administer the Classified Network, Controlled Unclassified 
Information, and Insider Threat programs of the Department (E.O. 13587; 
E.O. 13556 and 32 CFR part 2002).
    (11) Serve as the primary point of contact for Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) 
audits of USDA homeland security activities.
    (12) Coordinate interaction between Department agencies and private 
sector businesses and industries in emergency planning and public 
education under Department authorities delegated or assigned under the 
National Response Framework, National Infrastructure Protection Plan, 
Defense Production Act of 1950, 50 U.S.C. App. 2061, et seq., and 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 
U.S.C. 5121, et seq.
    (13) Oversee the Department's ability to collect and disseminate 
information and prepare for an agricultural disease emergency, 
agroterrorist act, or other threat to agricultural biosecurity, and 
coordinate such activities among agencies and offices within the 
Department (7 U.S.C. 8912).
    (14) Promulgate Departmental policies, standards, techniques, and 
procedures and represent the Department in providing security guidance 
to the Food and Agricultural Sector nationwide. This includes the 
following duties:
    (i) Provide guidance to USDA agencies and the Food and Agricultural 
Sector in matters of security through use of assessments and 
development of mitigation strategies.
    (ii) Represent and act as liaison for the Department in contacts 
with other Federal security entities and organizations, including the 
Interagency Security Committee and the Department of Homeland Security.
    (iii) Provide guidance and direction to ensure physical security 
and agriculture/food security are fully integrated in USDA's security 
preparations, which are reported to and coordinated with the White 
House.
    (iv) Provide assistance to the USDA agencies in preparation for and 
during a disaster to identify critical assets and possible alternate 
storage locations.
    (15) Provide oversight and coordination of the development and 
administration of the Department Continuity Program. This includes:
    (i) Provide guidance and direction regarding continuity of 
operations to the Office of the Secretary, Departmental staff offices, 
mission areas, and agencies.
    (ii) Represent and act as liaison for the Department in contacts 
with other Federal entities and organizations concerning matters of 
assigned continuity program responsibilities.
    (iii) Oversee Department continuity of operations and emergency 
relocation facility planning, development, equipping, and preparedness 
to ensure that resources are in a constant state of readiness.
    (16) Provide for the development and administration of a Public 
Trust program for the safeguarding of national security information:
    (i) Direct and administer USDA's public trust program established 
pursuant to 5 CFR part 731 and Executive Order 13488, ``Granting 
Reciprocity on Excepted Service and Federal Contractor Employee Fitness 
and Reinvestigating Individuals in Positions of Public Trust'' (74 FR 
4111, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 189).
    (ii) Direct and administer USDA's program under which information 
is safeguarded pursuant to Executive Order 13526, ``Classified National 
Security Information'' (75 FR 707, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 298), or 
subsequent orders.
    (iii) Establish and maintain Information Security policies and 
procedures for classifying, declassifying, safeguarding, and disposing 
of classified national security information and materials.
    (iv) Investigate or delegate authority to investigate any potential 
compromises of classified national security information and take 
corrective action for violations or infractions under section 5.5(b), 
of Executive Order 13526 or any subsequent order.
    (v) Develop and maintain oversight of all facilities throughout 
USDA where classified national security information is or will be 
safeguarded, discussed, or processed including sole authority to 
liaison with the Central Intelligence Agency concerning guidance, 
approval, requirements, and oversight of USDA secure facilities.
    (vi) Act as the USDA focal point to identify, receive, disseminate 
and safeguard USDA related intelligence information as required; convey 
information to USDA policy officials; and liaise with the intelligence 
community, as appropriate.
    (17) Control within USDA the acquisition, use, and disposal of 
material and equipment that can be a source of ionizing radiation.
    (i) Promulgate policies and procedures for ensuring the safety of 
USDA employees, the public, and the environment resulting from USDA's 
use of ionizing radiation sources.
    (ii) Maintain and ensure compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission regulations (Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations) and 
license(s)

[[Page 65524]]

issued to USDA for the acquisition, use, and disposal of radioactive 
materials.


Sec.  2.96  [Amended]

0
40. Amend Sec.  2.96 by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(3).

Subpart T--Delegations of Authority by the Chief Financial Officer

0
41. Amend Sec.  2.500 by revising the section heading, and in the 
section text by removing ``Deputy Chief Financial Officer'' and adding 
in its place ``Principal Deputy Chief Financial Officer''.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  2.500  Principal Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

* * * * *

Subpart U--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

0
42. Amend Sec.  2.601 by adding paragraphs (a)(21), (46), (49), and 
(51) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.601  Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.

    (a) * * *
    (21) Promote cooperation and coordination between 1862, 1890, 1994, 
and NLGCA Institutions, HSACUs, and cooperating forestry schools and 
international partner institutions in developing countries by 
exercising the Secretary's authority in 7 U.S.C. 3292, including 
coordinating with the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture and Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service to 
place interns from covered institutions in, or in service to benefit, 
developing countries.
* * * * *
    (46) Administer the International Agricultural Education Fellowship 
Program (7 U.S.C. 3295).
* * * * *
    (49) Compile and make available information relating to the 
improvement of international food security, and provide technical 
assistance for the improvement of international food security to 
Federal, State, or local agencies; agencies or instrumentalities of the 
government of foreign country; domestic or international organizations; 
or intergovernmental organizations (7 U.S.C. 1736dd).
* * * * *
    (51) In consultation with the Tribal Advisory Committee and the 
Director of the Office of Tribal Relations, and in coordination with 
the Secretaries of Commerce, State, Interior, and the heads of any 
other relevant Federal agencies, implement section 3312 of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 5608) to support greater 
inclusion of Tribal agricultural food products in Federal trade 
activities.
* * * * *

Subpart V--Delegations of Authority by the Director, Office of 
Partnerships and Public Engagement

0
43. Amend Sec.  2.700 by revising paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  2.700  Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.

    (a) * * *
    (4) Administer section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279), as amended, except for the 
beginning farmer and rancher development program in subsection (d) and 
authorities related to the Census of Agriculture and economic studies 
in subsection (j) of that section.
* * * * *

0
44. Amend Sec.  2.701 by adding paragraphs (a)(6) through (8) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  2.701  Director, Office of Tribal Relations.

    (a) * * *
    (6) Consult with the Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service on 
the implementation of section 3312 of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 5608) to support greater inclusion of Tribal 
agricultural food products in Federal trade activities.
    (7) In coordination with the Administrators of the Rural Utilities 
Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service, 
provide technical assistance to improve access by Tribal entities to 
rural development programs funded by the Department of Agriculture 
through available cooperative agreement authorities (7 U.S.C. 2671).
    (8) Oversee the Tribal Advisory Committee (7 U.S.C. 6921).
* * * * *

    Stephen L. Censky,
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2020-20092 Filed 10-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-90-P