16 U.S.C. § 3871f — Critical conservation areas

(a)(1) “Critical conservation area” means a geographic area containing a critical conservation condition that the program^* can address. (a)(2) “Priority resource concern” means a resource concern in such an area that can be addressed by improving water quality, including erosion, sediment, or nutrient management affecting significant large water bodies; improving water quantity relating to drought, groundwater, surface water, aquifers, other water sources, water retention, or flood prevention; restoring wildlife habitat for federally, State-, or locally-concerning species; or other resource improvements the Secretary determines. (b) When administering the cited funds, the Secretary must select partnership and program-contract applications in designated areas that address one or more designated priority concerns. (c)(1) For each area designated after February 7, 2014, the Secretary must identify one or more priority concerns and conservation goals and outcomes sufficient to show progress. (c)(2) Designation priority goes to areas covering multiple States with significant agricultural production; covered by an existing qualifying regional, State, binational, or multistate agreement or plan; containing priority concerns; or containing producers needing help to meet or avoid a resource regulation that could harm the area’s agricultural operations. (c)(3) The Secretary may review designations no more often than every five years and may withdraw one only if the area is no longer critical. (c)(4) No more than eight geographic areas may be designated. (d) The Secretary must provide outreach and education to partners and producers in designated areas to encourage projects addressing each identified concern. (e)(1) The Secretary must administer agreements and contracts consistently with program terms. (e)(2) As far as practicable, activities in designated areas must complement and be consistent with other Federal and State programs and water-quality and quantity strategies.