Regulacje i polityka gospodarcza · 12/4/1997

Technical Assistance

Section 342 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act) expands the membership and roles of State Technical Committees established pursuant to Section 1261 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 1985 Act), as amended. Under Section 1261, the Secretary must establish a technical committee in each State to assist in making technical considerations related to the implementation of the 1985 Act's conservation provisions. Consistent with the 1985 Act, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses these State Technical Committees in an advisory capacity. This proposed rule sets forth the policies and procedures for the use of State Technical Committees by the USDA, the membership criteria, and the responsibilities assigned to these Committees. It also amends Sec. 610.2 to reflect the responsibilities assigned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) beyond that of soil conservation. This proposed rule amends Sec. 610.2 to acknowledge the NRCS mission to promote the long-term sustainability of all agricultural lands, including cropland, grazing land, pastureland, rangeland, and forestland.