7 U.S.C. § 4202 — Identifying effects of Federal programs on conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses
submitted 45 years ago by Pub. L. 97-98 to r/title-7-AGRICULTURE · 178 words · no verdicts yet
This section requires the Department of Agriculture to create criteria for identifying how federal programs affect the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses. Federal units must use those criteria, consider ways to reduce harmful effects, and try to align their programs with farmland-protection policies.
(a) The Department of Agriculture, working with other federal departments, agencies, independent commissions, and units, must develop criteria for identifying how federal programs affect converting farmland* to nonagricultural uses.
(b) Federal departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units must use the criteria to identify the amount of farmland actually converted by federal programs and identify and consider those programs’ harmful effects on preserving farmland. They must consider, when appropriate, alternative actions that could reduce those harmful effects. They must also ensure, as far as practicable, that the federal programs are compatible with State*, local-government, and private programs and policies that protect farmland. This section does not define the quoted terms “farmland,” “nonagricultural uses,” “adverse effects,” or “to the extent practicable.”
(c) The Department of Agriculture may make information available to States, local governments, individuals, organizations, and other federal units that is useful for restoring, maintaining, and improving the amount and quality of farmland.
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.
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.
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.
Source credit: (Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1541, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1342; Pub. L. 101–624, title XIV, § 1454, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3614.)
- 1981Enacted · Pub. L. 97-98 · 95 Stat. 1342
- 1990Amended · Pub. L. 101-624 · 104 Stat. 3614
A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 97-98 on 1981-12-22.
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