§3451 Definitions

Summary

Allows locally run councils to make resource plans for one or more States or tribal lands and to get federal help and money to carry out those plans. The plans can cover land conservation (like stopping erosion), water work (like irrigation, flood control, reservoirs, and water quality), community development (like rural housing, health, schools, roads, recreation, and economic growth), and land management (like energy crops, protecting farmland, and wildlife habitat). The law also explains who and what can get help and what kinds of help the Department of Agriculture provides. Area plan — a local resource plan covering one or more of the topics above. Board — the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board (see 16 U.S.C. 3456(a)). Council — a nonprofit group set up by local volunteers or officials and chosen by the State to run an area plan. Designated area — a place the Secretary picks to get help. Financial assistance — grants, loans, or cooperative agreements for planning, studies, training, and other work to carry out an area plan. Indian tribe — as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304. Local unit of government — a county, city, town, township, parish, village, or special district (like school, soil, water, or park districts). Locally led planning process — the council’s work to make and carry out the plan with public input. Nonprofit organization — an organization meeting IRS rules in 26 U.S.C. 501. Project — work a council does to meet plan goals. Secretary — the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. State — any State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory or possession. Technical assistance — services like surveys, planning, design, maps, inspections, and help using USDA programs locally.