7 U.S.C. § 4202: Identifying effects of…

Summary

The Department of Agriculture must work with other federal agencies to make clear rules for finding how federal programs cause farmland to be changed to nonfarm uses. Federal agencies must then use those rules to count how much farmland federal actions convert, note harmful effects on saving farmland, consider other ways to reduce harm, and, as much as possible, match federal programs with state, local, and private farmland protection efforts. The Department of Agriculture can also share information with states, local governments, people, groups, and other federal units to help restore, keep, and improve the amount and quality of farmland.

Title 7, §4202

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Development of criteria to identify

The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with other departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the Federal Government, shall develop criteria for identifying the effects of Federal programs on the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses.

(b)Use of criteria to identify

Departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the Federal Government shall use the criteria established under subsection (a) of this section, to identify the quantity of farmland actually converted by Federal programs, and to identify and take into account the adverse effects of Federal programs on the preservation of farmland; consider alternative actions, as appropriate, that could lessen such adverse effects; and assure that such Federal programs, to the extent practicable, are compatible with State, unit of local government, and private programs and policies to protect farmland.

(c)Availability of restorative, etc., information

The Department of Agriculture may make available to States, units of local government, individuals, organizations, and other units of the Federal Government information useful in restoring, maintaining, and improving the quantity and quality of farmland.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–624 inserted “to identify the quantity of farmland actually converted by Federal programs, and” after “of this section,”.

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.

§4202 Identifying Effects of Federal Programs on Conversion of Farmland to Nonagricultural Uses