Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73
§4209 Prohibition on maintenance of actions
Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 73— - FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY › § 4209
Summary
People cannot sue over federal projects that affect farmland; only a State Governor with a farmland-protection program may sue in federal district court to enforce section 4202.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §4209
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
This chapter shall not be deemed to provide a basis for any action, either legal or equitable, by any person or class of persons challenging a Federal project, program, or other activity that may affect farmland: Provided, That the Governor of an affected State where a State policy or program exists to protect farmland may bring an action in the Federal district court of the district where a Federal program is proposed to enforce the requirements of section 4202 of this title and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1985—Pub. L. 99–198 substituted “by any person” for “by any State, local unit of government, or any person” and inserted proviso.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective six months after Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1549 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under section 4201 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 4209
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73