Collapse to view only § 3451. Definitions
- § 3451. Definitions
- § 3452. Resource conservation and development program
- § 3453. Selection of designated areas
- § 3454. Powers of the Secretary
- § 3455. Eligibility; terms and conditions
- § 3456. Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board
- § 3457. Repealed.
- § 3458. Limitation on assistance
- § 3459. Supplemental authority of the Secretary
- § 3460. Authorization of appropriations
The term “Board” means the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board established under section 3456(a) of this title.
The term “designated area” means a geographic area designated by the Secretary to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter.
The term “financial assistance” means a grant or loan provided by the Secretary (or the Secretary and other Federal agencies) to, or a cooperative agreement entered into by the Secretary (or the Secretary and other Federal agencies) with, a council, or association of councils, to carry out an area plan in a designated area, including assistance provided for planning, analysis, feasibility studies, training, education, and other activities necessary to carry out the area plan.
The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of title 25.
The term “planning process” means actions taken by a locally led council to develop and carry out an effective area plan in a designated area, including development of the area plan, goals, purposes, policies, implementation activities, evaluations and reviews, and the opportunity for public participation in the actions.
The term “project” means a project that is carried out by a council to achieve any of the elements of an area plan.
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
The Secretary shall select designated areas for assistance under this subchapter on the basis of the elements of area plans.
To improve the provision of technical assistance to councils under this subchapter, the Secretary shall designate for each council an individual to be the coordinator for the council.
A coordinator for a council shall be directly responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the council.
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a loan made under this subchapter shall be made on such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe.
A loan for a project made under this subchapter shall have a term of not more than 30 years after the date of completion of the project.
A loan made under this subchapter shall bear interest at the average rate of interest paid by the United States on obligations of a comparable term, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter may not be made available to a council to carry out an area plan unless the area plan has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary.
The Secretary may withdraw technical assistance and financial assistance with respect to any area plan if the Secretary determines that the assistance is no longer necessary or that sufficient progress has not been made toward developing or implementing the elements of the area plan.
The Secretary shall establish within the Department of Agriculture a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board.
The Board shall be composed of at least 7 employees of the Department of Agriculture selected by the Secretary.
A member of the Board shall be designated by the Secretary to serve as chairperson of the Board.
The Board shall advise the Secretary regarding the administration of this subchapter, including the formulation of policies for carrying out this subchapter.
In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance and financial assistance with respect to not more than 450 active designated areas.
The authority of the Secretary under this subchapter to assist councils in the development and implementation of area plans shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, any authority of the Secretary under any other provision of law.
There are authorized to be 1
The Secretary shall not use more than $15,000,000 of any funds made available for a fiscal year to make loans under this subchapter.
Funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter shall remain available until expended.