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29 rows where agency = "NRCS", part_number = 634 and title_number = 7 sorted by section_id
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| section_id ▼ | title_number | title_name | chapter | subchapter | part_number | part_name | subpart | subpart_name | section_number | section_heading | agency | authority | source_citation | amendment_citations | full_text |
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| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.1.1.1 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | A | Subpart A—General | 634.1 | § 634.1 Purpose and scope. | NRCS | (a) The purpose of this part is for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the concurrence of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to set forth regulations to carry out a Rural Clean Water Program (RCWP) under section 35, Pub. L. 95-217; 91 Stat. 1579; 33 U.S.C. 1288. (b) The Rural Clean Water Program provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners and operators (participants) having control of rural land. The assistance is provided through long-term contracts (5 to 10 years) to install best management practices (BMP's) in project areas which have critical water quality problems resulting from agricultural activities. The proposed project area must be within a high priority area in an approved agricultural portion of a 208 water quality management plan. Participation in RCWP is voluntary. (c) The program is a new USDA program and an extension of existing water-quality management programs of EPA. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.1.1.2 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | A | Subpart A—General | 634.2 | § 634.2 Objective. | NRCS | The RCWP is designed to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollutants to improve water quality in rural areas to meet water quality standards or water quality goals. The objective is to be achieved in the most cost-effective manner possible in keeping with the provision of adequate supplies of food and fiber and a quality environment. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.1.1.3 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | A | Subpart A—General | 634.3 | § 634.3 Administration. | NRCS | At the national level, the Secretary of Agriculture, with the concurrence of the Administrator, EPA, administers RCWP. The Secretary of Agiculture has delegated responsibility for administration of the program (43 FR 8252) to the Administrator, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS will be assisted by other USDA agencies in accordance with existing authorities. (a) A National Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committee (NRCWCC), chaired by the Administrator, NRCS, is to assist in carrying out the Rural Clean Water Program. (b) At the State level, a State Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committee (SRCWCC) is to assist the State Conservationist, NRCS, in administering the program. The State Conservationist will chair the SRCWCC. (c) To assure coordination at the project level, a local Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committee is to be established at the time the application is developed. An existing local committee may be used, where practicable, to perform the functions of this committee. (d) The Administrator, NRCS, through the State Conservationists, NRCS, is to enter into agreements, where practicable, with soil conservation districts, State soil and water conservation agencies, or State water quality agencies to administer all or part of the program for a project area. That portion of program administration to be conducted by these agencies will be defined in the project application and grant agreement. Where this is not practicable, USDA will administer the program in a project area. In those instances where USDA retains administration of the program in a project area, NRCS will enter into agreements for the transfer of funds to the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for the administration of part of the program. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.1.1.4 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | A | Subpart A—General | 634.4 | § 634.4 Responsibilities. | NRCS | (a) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will — (1) Approve 208 water quality management plans, (2) Participate in the National and State Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committees, (3) Review and concur in project applications approved for funding in accordance with § 634.14, (4) Advise the Secretary of Agriculture of practices which tend to defeat the purposes of contracts with rural landowners or operators in accordance with section 208(j)(1)(iv) of the act, (5) Assist USDA in evaluating the effectiveness of the program in improving water quality, and (6) Concur in the selection of project areas and the criteria for comprehensive, joint USDA-EPA water quality monitoring, evaluation, and analysis in accordance with § 634.50. (b) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will — (1) With the concurrence of EPA, administer a program to enter into contracts to install and maintain best management practices to control agricultural nonpoint source pollution for improved water quality, (2) Act through NRCS and such other USDA agencies as the Secretary may designate, (3) Provide technical assistance and share the cost of carrying out best management practices that are set forth in the contracts, (4) Where practicable, enter into agreements with soil conservation districts, State soil and water conservation agencies, or State water quality agencies to administer all or part of the program for a project area, (5) Administer the program where it is not practicable for soil conservation districts, State soil and water conservation agencies, or State water quality agencies to administer all or part of the program for a project area, (6) Together with local soil conservation districts, determine the priorities for assistance to individual participants to assure that the most critical water quality problems are addressed, (7) Assist in evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program in improving water quality, and (8) Within the framework of the 208 planning process, make additional investigations or plans, w… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.1.1.5 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | A | Subpart A—General | 634.5 | § 634.5 Definitions. | NRCS | (a) Adequate level of participation. An adequate level of participation is reached when participants, having control of 75 percent of the identified critical area or source of the pollution problem in the project area, are under contract. Exceptions may be made where the approved agricultural portion of the 208 plan provides data and analyses which indicate that a greater or lesser percentage of the critical area or source treated is needed to attain water quality standards or water quality goals. Fifty (50) percent of the adequate level of participation is to be achieved within 3 years; the remainder within 5 years. (b) Administering agency. A soil conservation district, State soil and water conservation agency, or State water quality agency that enters into an agreement with the State Conservationist, NRCS, to administer assigned responsibilities for RCWP projects; or ASCS, when USDA retains contract administration. (c) Administrative cost. Grant and fund transfer costs, including allowable costs incurred by the Administering agency in contract administration. These costs, indirect and direct, include charges for personnel, travel, materials, and supplies. The costs are limited to a maximum of 5 percent of the Federal share for BMP cost. (d) Agreement. A legal instrument reflecting the relationship between NRCS and the administering agency for performance of RCWP activities. (e) Agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Pollution originating from existing nonpoint sources that are (a) agriculturally related, including runoff from animal waste disposal areas and from land used for livestock and crop production, or (b) silviculturally related pollution. (f) Agricultural portion of a 208 plan. That portion of the 208 plan that deals with agriculture and those silvicultural activities related to farming and ranching enterprises. (g) Appeals board. A group of three or more individuals, including a hearing officer, established by the administering agency with the concurrence of the State conservatio… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.1 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.10 | § 634.10 Applicability. | NRCS | RCWP is applicable in project areas that meet the criteria for eligibility contained in § 634.12 and are authorized for funding by the Administrator, NRCS. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.10 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.19 | § 634.19 Project completion and closeout. | NRCS | (a) The maximum total life of a project shall be fifteen (15) years or less. (b) The allowable contracting period may be increased if an adequate level of participation has been achieved and the designated management agency assures a significant increase in participation can be reached in a reasonable time. (c) The grant or fund transfer agreement with an administering agency shall expire when the administering agency has fulfilled all of its obligations in the long-term RCWP contracts. (d) When a project is completed, the administering agency is to provide the State Conservationist, NRCS, a closeout report which summarizes the actions accomplished. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.2 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.11 | § 634.11 Availability of funds. | NRCS | (a) The provisions of the program are subject to the appropriation of funds by Congress to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (b) The allocation of funds to the administering agencies is to be made on the basis of the total funds needed to carry out the project. (c) The obligation of Federal funds for RCWP contracts with participants is to be made on the basis of the total contract costs. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.3 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.12 | § 634.12 Eligible project areas. | NRCS | (a) Only those project areas which are included in an approved agricultural portion of a 208 water quality management plan, or revised portions thereof, and have identified agricultural nonpoint source water quality problems are eligible for authorization under RCWP. Those critical areas or sources of pollutants significantly contributing to the water quality problems are eligible for financial and technical assistance. (b) The management agency designated by the Governor under section 208(c)(1) of the Act to implement the agricultural portion of the 208 plan must assure in writing in the project application that there will be an adequate level of participation by land owners or operators with critical areas or sources in a project area. (c) An RCWP project area is a hydrologically related land area. Exceptions may be made for ease of administration, or to focus on concentrated critical areas. To be designated as an RCWP project area eligible for authorization, the area's water quality problems must be related to agricultural nonpoint source pollutants, including sediment animal waste, irrigation return flows, runoff, or leachate that contain high concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved solids, toxics (pesticides and heavy metals), or high pathogen levels. Generally, the project areas will be less than 200,000 acres. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.4 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.13 | § 634.13 Project applications. | NRCS | (a) The SRCWCC is to assure that a process exists to prepare the RCWP project applications for submission by the Governor in order of priority to the Administrator, NRCS, through the State Conservationst, NRCS. This process must include the opportunity for public participation, especially participation by potential RCWP participants. Applications will be submitted in conformance with OMB Circular A-95. (b) The preparation and submission of applications are to be based on the priorities established by the Governor and data and information in the approved agricultural portion of the State or areawide 208 water quality management plan. (c) Applications shall contain the following components. Additional material may be added when, in the judgment of the applicant, it is needed to fully support the application and/or would enhance the probability of project authorization. Information provided under each component shall be in sufficient detail to permit the NRCWCC to evaluate the application using priority criteria in § 634.14. (1) Description of the project area, (2) Severity of the water quality problem (3) Objectives and planned action, (4) Schedule for carrying out the plan, and (5) Estimated cost. This component is to identify and show the basis for those costs associated with completing the project. The project application shall include an estimate of the total cost of the project, the Federal contribution, and the non-Federal contribution. The Federal contribution shall not exceed 50 percent unless the application, based on offsite benefits and financial burden, show that a higher level is appropriate. (6) Estimated water quality benefits and effects. (7) Arrangements for project administration. This component is to set out the applicant's plan for carrying out the program in the project area. The plan should: (i) Identify the administering agency and document the capability of the agency to carry out the responsibilities described in § 634.4(p). In addition, information should be included to desc… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.5 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.14 | § 634.14 Review and approval of project applications. | NRCS | (a) In reviewing applications and recommending priorities, the NRCWCC will consider the following: (1) Severity of the water quality problem caused by agricultural and silvicultural related pollutants, including: (i) State designated uses of the water affected, (ii) Kinds, sources, and effects of pollutants, and (iii) Miles of stream or acres of water bodies affected, (2) Demonstration of public benefits from the project, including: (i) Effects on human health, (ii) Population benefited by improved water quality, (iii) Effects on the natural environment, and (iv) Additional beneficial uses of the waters that result from improvement of the water quality, (3) Economic, and technical feasibility to control water quality problems within the life of the project, including: (i) Cost effectiveness of BMP's, (ii) Size of the area and BMP's needed, and (iii) Cost per participant and cost per acre for solution of problem, (4) State and local input in the project area, including: (i) Funds for cost-sharing, technical, and administrative costs. States or local governments with their own cost-share programs may receive greater consideration for the funding of RCWP projects, (ii) Commitment of local leadership to promote the program, and (5) The project area's contribution to meeting the national water quality goals. (b) Based on the project applications, the NRCWCC is to recommend an upper limit of the Federal contribution to the total cost of the project. (c) All project applications will be reviewed by EPA. Project applications approval for funding require written EPA concurrence, except that the Administrator, NRCS, may assume EPA's concurrence if EPA does not act within 45 days following receipt of the project application. EPA review of project applications will occur concurrently with review by the NRCWCC. (d) The Administrator, NRCS, will approve projects for funding. The NRCWCC acting through the Chairman will announce the approval of the project. The State Conservationist, NRCS, through the SRCWCC,… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.6 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.15 | § 634.15 Agreements. | NRCS | The State Conservationist, NRCS, upon receiving notice of an approved project, is to enter into a grant agreement with the administering agency, except in those cases where USDA is to administer the program. When USDA retains administration, the State Conservationist, NRCS, is to enter into a fund transfer agreement with the State Executive Director, ASCS. (a) Grant agreements. Grant agreements detail the working arrangements and applicable operating regulations between NRCS and the administering agency. A written grant agreement identifying the parties involved, their responsibilities for carrying out the program, and the amount of program funds to be encumbered by NRCS is to be executed by the parties. This agreement is the fund obligating document. It also sets out the necessary working arrangements between parties for determining and allocating the administering agency's costs. All grants to administering agencies are to be in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-102, Department of the Treasury Circular No. 1075, and Federal Management Circular No. 74-4. State or local administering agency grants will be funded under Letter-of-Credit serviced by the U.S. Treasury Regional Disbursing Office, or by NRCS approved advance/reimbursement financing arrangements subject to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement. (1) The grant agreement will provide for payment of cost-sharing for BMP (§ 634.5(j)) and administrative costs (§ 634.5(c)). (2) The grant agreement may provide for payment of technical assistance costs when the administering agency has the capability, and the NRCS designates that agency to provide this assistance to RCWP participants. (3) The administering agency is to monitor the performance of activities supported by RCWP grant funds to assure that time schedules and participant RCWP contract requirements are being met. Performance goals are to be measured against the terms of the grant agreement and program directives. When NRCS determines that onsite technical inspections, certified completi… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.7 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.16 | § 634.16 Suspension of grants. | NRCS | (a) Suspension orders. Work on a project or on a portion or phase of a project for which a grant has been awarded, may be suspended by order of the State Conservationist, NRCS. Suspension does not affect RCWP contracts existing at the time the suspension order is issued, or the administering agency's responsibility to make payments under such contracts unless specifically provided for in the suspend order. In no event will the participant's right to cost-share payment be diminished by action taken under this section. (b) Use of suspension orders. Suspension may be required for good cause, such as default by the administering agency, failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant, realignment of programs, or advancements in the state of the art. (c) Contents of suspension orders. Prior to issuance, suspension orders will be discussed with the administering agency and may be appropriately modified, in the light of such discussions. Suspension orders are to include: (1) A clear description of the work to be suspended, (2) Instructions as to the issuance of further orders by the administering agency for materials or services, (3) Instructions as to the administering agency entering into new RCWP contracts in the project area, (4) Instructions as to the administering agency servicing existing RCWP contracts in the project area, and (5) Other instructions to the administering agency for minimizing Federal costs. (d) Issuance of suspension order. Suspension orders are issued by the State Conservationist, NRCS, by letter to the administering agency (certified mail, return receipt requested). A suspension order may not exceed forty-five (45) calendar days. (e) Effect of suspension order. (1) Upon receipt of a suspension order, the administering agency shall promptly comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimize costs allocable to the work covered by the order during the period of work suspension. During the suspension period, NRCS shall either: (i) Cancel the suspension … | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.8 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.17 | § 634.17 Termination of grant agreement. | NRCS | (a) Termination agreement or notice. (1) The State Conservationist, NRCS, may, based on evidence of failure to comply with the terms of the grant agreement, issue a notice of intent to terminate the grant agreement. The notice of intent to terminate has the force and effect of extending or modifying the conditions of the suspend order. Any modification of the conditions of the suspend order shall be shown in the notice and discussed with the administering agency. The State Conservationist shall give not less than ten (10) days written notice to the administering agency (certified mail, return receipt requested) of intent to terminate the grant in whole or in part. (2) After the administering agency has been afforded an opportunity for consultation, the State Conservationist, NRCS, may request authorization from the Administrator, NRCS, to terminate the grant in whole or in part. If the Administrator, NRCS, concurs in the termination action, the proposed termination notice will be forwarded to the Administrator, EPA, for concurrence. (3) After the Administrators, NRCS and EPA, have been informed of any expressed views of the administering agency and concurred in the proposed termination, the State Conservationist, NRCS, may, in writing (certified mail, return receipt requested), terminate the grant in whole or in part. (4) Termination of all or part of the grant agreement may be carried out by either execution of a termination agreement by the State Conservationist, NRCS, or issuance of a grant termination notice by the State Conservationist, NRCS. The agreement or notice shall establish the effective date of termination of the grant, the basis for settlement of grant termination costs, and the amount and date of payment of any sums due either party. (b) Basis for termination. A grant may be terminated by NRCS for good cause subject to negotiation and payment of appropriate termination settlement costs. Cause for termination by NRCS includes: (1) Failure by the administering agency to make satisfactory pr… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.2.1.9 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | B | Subpart B—Project Authorization and Funding | 634.18 | § 634.18 Termination of project. | NRCS | (a) An RCWP project is terminated by the State Conservationist because an adequate level of participation cannot be achieved. Upon this determination, the State Conservationist shall publish in a newspaper of public record in the project area a notice of intent to terminate all or part of the grant agreement and the project (§ 634.7(c)), and an announcement of the time and place of a public hearing. (b) No sooner than 15 days from the publication of the notice of intent to terminate all or part of the project and grant agreement, the State Conservationist will conduct a public hearing in the project area. (c) If, based on the hearing record, the performance record of the administering agency, and the recommendations of the SRCWCC, the State Conservationist determines that the project will be terminated pursuant to § 634.17(c), the State Conservationist will enter into a grant termination agreement or issue a grant termination notice. (d) The existing RCWP contracts will be transferred to the ASCS county office pursuant to § 634.17(c)(1)(ii). (e) The State Conservationist will prepare a project close-out report summarizing the actions accomplished. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.1 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.20 | § 634.20 Eligible land. | NRCS | RCWP is only applicable to privately owned land. Land owned by corporations whose ownership is public (i.e., their stock is publicly traded over the market) is eligible for program assistance only if the corporation can document that the installation of BMP's places an inappropriate financial burden on the corporation. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.10 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.29 | § 634.29 Violations. | NRCS | (a) Actions causing violations. The following actions constitute violation of a contract by a participant: (1) Knowingly or negligently damaging or causing BMP's to become impaired. (2) Adopting a land use or practice during the contract period which tends to defeat the purposes of the program. (3) Failing to comply with the terms of the contract. (4) Filing a false claim. (5) Misusing authorizations for payment. (b) Contract termination as a result of violations. (1) By signing a contract, the participant agrees to forfeit all rights to further cost-sharing payments under a contract and to refund all cost-share payments received, with interest, if the administering agency, with the concurrence of the State Conservationist, NRCS, determines that: (i) There was a violation of the contract during the time the participant had control of the land; and (ii) The violation was of such a nature as to warrant termination of the contract. (2) The participant shall be obligated to refund all cost-share payments and all cost shares paid under authorizations, with interest, at the rates established by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to Pub. L. 92-41, 85 Stat. 97. (c) Payment adjustments and refunds resulting from violations. (1) By signing a contract, the participant agrees to refund cost-share payments received under the contract or to accept payment adjustments if the administering agency determines and the State Conservationist, NRCS, concurs that: (i) There was a violation of the contract during the time the participant had control of the land; and (ii) The nature of the violation does not warrant termination of the contract. (2) Payment adjustments may include decreasing the rate of cost share, or deleting from the contract a cost-share commitment, or withholding cost-share payments earned but not paid. The participant who signs the contract may be obligated to refund cost-share payments. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.11 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.30 | § 634.30 Appeals in USDA administered projects. | NRCS | [60 FR 67316, Dec. 29, 1995] | The participant in a USDA-administered RCWP project may appeal decisions of the administering agency in accordance with part 614 of this title. | ||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.12 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.31 | § 634.31 Appeals of contract violations. | NRCS | (a) Scope. This section prescribes the regulations dealing with contract violations. The Administrator, NRCS, reserves the right to revise or supplement any of the provisions of this section at any time if the action does not adversely affect the participant, or if the participant has been officially notified before this action is taken. (b) Determination by administering agency. Upon notification that a contract violation may have occurred, the administering agency: (1) Determines that a violation did not occur or that the violation was of such a nature that no further action is to be taken; or (2) Determines that a violation did occur and the participant agrees to accept a written penalty of forfeiture, refund, payment adjustment, or termination. If no agreement is reached, further action is to be taken. (c) Notice of possible violation. (1) When the administering agency is notified that a contract violation may have occurred and the matter is not resolved under § 634.31(b)(1) it shall notify, in writing, each participant who signed the contract of the alleged violation. This notice setting forth the alleged violation may be personally delivered or sent by certified or registered mail. A participant is considered to have received the notice at the time of personal receipt acknowledged in writing, at the time of delivery of a certified or registered letter, or at the time of the return of a refused certified or registered letter. (2) The notice shall give the participant an opportunity to appear at a hearing before an appeals board. The participant's request for a hearing shall be submitted in writing, and must be received by the appeals board within 30 days after receipt of the notice. The participant shall be notified in writing by the appeals board of the time, date, and place for the hearing. The participant shall have no right to a hearing if he does not file a written request for a hearing, or if he or his representative does not appear at the appointed time, unless the appeals board, at its dis… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.2 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.21 | § 634.21 Eligible participants. | NRCS | (a) Any landowner or operator whose land or activities in a project area is contributing to the area's agricultural nonpoint source water quality problems and who has an approved water quality plan is eligible to enter into an RCWP contract. (b) This program will be conducted in compliance with all nondiscrimination requirements as contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and amendments thereto and the Regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture (7 CFR 15.1 through 15.12). | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.3 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.22 | § 634.22 Application for assistance. | NRCS | (a) Landowners or operators must apply for RCWP assistance through the office of the administering agency or its designee(s) by completing the prescribed application form. (b) The priority for assistance among landowners and operators in developing water quality plans is to be determined jointly, through an agreed-to process, by the county ASC committee and the soil conservation district, with technical assistance from NRCS. (c) Applications that are ineligible or technically infeasible are to be returned to the applicant with a letter stating the reasons for disapproval. Applications that are of a low priority will be retained and the applicant will be sent a notice that the application is being held for a period to be determined locally for future consideration. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.4 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.23 | § 634.23 Water quality plan. | NRCS | (a) The participant's water quality plan, developed with technical assistance by the NRCS or its designee, is to include appropriate BMP's identified in the approved agricultural portion of the 208 water quality management plan. Such BMP's must reduce the amount of pollutants that enter a stream or lake by: (1) Methods, such as reducing the application rates or changing the application methods of potential pollutants, and (2) Methods, such as practices or combinations of practices which prevent potential pollutants from leaving source areas or reduce the amount of potential pollutants that reach a stream or lake after leaving a source area. (b) Participant's water quality plans shall as a minimum include BMP's for all critical areas or sources. The plans will include BMP's which are required but not cost-shared. Non-cost-shared BMP's, essential for the performance and maintenance of cost-shared BMP's shall be required as a condition of the RCWP contract. (c) The participant is responsible for compliance with all other applicable Federal, State, and local laws that deal with the participant's nonpoint source water quality problems, such as the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. BMP's required for compliance may be cost shared. (d) It is recognized that the participants' water-quality plans upon which the RCWP contracts are to be based may include conservation measures other than those related to water quality improvement. These measures are not eligible for cost sharing under this program. The installation of such conservation measures will not be required as a condition of the RCWP contract and will not be shown in the time schedules for implementing BMP's. (e) Time schedules for implementing BMP's are to be provided in the participant's water quality plan. The time schedule is to establish the length of the contract within the 5 to 10 year period established by law. (f) The Natural Resources Conservation Service will certify as to the technical adequacy of the water-quality plan. (g) Th… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.5 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.24 | § 634.24 Cost sharing. | NRCS | (a) The portion of BMP cost (including labor) to be cost shared shall be that part which the Secretary determines is necessary and appropriate. The value of land upon which BMP's are applied, or the participant's water rights, cannot be considered a part of the participant's share of the cost. (b) The administering agency, in consultation with the county ASC committee(s), soil conservation district(s), and designated management agency will annually set maximum individual BMP cost-share levels for the project area. However, the Federal share of the cost of the contract cannot exceed 50 percent unless a variance has been granted. (c) Recommended variances exceeding the 50 percent level must be in the public interest and based on the following criteria: (1) The main benefits to be derived from measures are related to improving offsite water quality, and (2) The matching share requirements would place a burden on the landowner or operator which would probably prevent him or her from participating in the program. (d) BMP's to be cost shared must have a positive effect on water quality by reducing the amount of agricultural nonpoint source pollutants that enter a stream or lake. (e) Cost sharing is not to be made available for: (1) Measures installed primarily for bringing additional land into crop production, including but not limited to land clearing and brush removal; (2) Measures installed primarily for increasing production on existing cropland, including but not limited to bedding, field ditches, open drains, and tile drains; (3) Measures having flood protection as the primary purpose, including but not limited to open channels, clearing and snagging, and obstruction removal; (4) Structural measures authorized for installation under Pub. L. 83-566. (f) The Federal cost-share level is not to be reduced by the contribution of a State or subdivision thereof. Total payments from Federal, State, and local sources for a BMP may not exceed the total cost of that BMP. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.6 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.25 | § 634.25 Contracting. | NRCS | (a) To participate in RCWP, a landowner or operator must enter into a contract in which he or she agrees to apply his or her water-quality plan. Any person who controls, or shares control, of the farm, ranch, or other land for the proposed contract period (5 to 10 years) must sign the contract. (b) Cost-sharing payments cannot be provided for any measure that is initiated before the contract is approved by the administering agency. (c) The participant must furnish satisfactory evidence of his or her control of the farm, ranch, or other land. The administering agency is to determine the acceptability of the evidence and maintain current ownership evidence in the contract file. (d) RCWP contracts shall include the basic contract document, special provisions as needed, the participant's water-quality plan, schedule of operations, and any other data necessary. (e) NRCS or its designee shall approve the technical adequacy of the RCWP contract and obtain the required signature of the participants. The NRCS or its designee will provide the contract to the administering agency for certification of fund availability and for execution. (f) Participants shall install best management practices according to the specifications that are applicable at the time measures are installed. (g) NRCS will provide technical assistance to participants for installing BMPs. The State Conservationist, NRCS, or its designee may enter into contracts with qualified soil conservation districts or others to provide technical assistance. (h) The RCWP contract is to require BMPs to be operated and maintained by the participant at no cost to that administering agency. (i) The contract period is to be not less than 5 and not more than 10 years. A contract is to extend for at least 1 year after the application of the last cost-shared BMPs. All contract items are to be accomplished prior to contract expiration. (j) A land owner or operator may enter into a contract jointly (pooling ageement) with other land owners or operators to solve mutual … | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.7 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.26 | § 634.26 Contract modifications. | NRCS | (a) The administering agency may modify contracts previously entered into if it is determined to be desirable to carry out the purposes of the program, facilitate the practical administration thereof, or to accomplish equitable treatment with respect to other conservation, land-use, or water-quality programs. (b) Requirements of active contracts may be waived or modified by the administering agency only if such waiver or modification is specifically provided for in these regulations. NRCS concurrence in modifications is necessary when modifications involve a technical aspect of the participant's water-quality plan. A contract may be modified only if it is determined that such modifications are desirable to carry out purposes of the program or to facilitate the program's practical administration. (c) Contracts may be modified to add, delete, substitute, or reinstall best management practices when: (1) The installed measure failed to achieve the desired results through no fault of the participant, (2) The installed measure deteriorated because of conditions beyond the control of the participant, or (3) Another BMP is substituted that will achieve the desired results. (d) Contract modifications are not required when items of work are accomplished prior to scheduled completion or within 1 year following the year of scheduled completion. (e) If, during the contract period, all or part of the right and interest in the land is transferred by sale or other transfer action, the contract is terminated on the land unit that was transferred and the participant having control over such land: (1) Forfeits all right to any future cost-share payments on the transferred land unit, and (2) Must refund with interest all cost-share payments that have been made on the transferred land unit unless the new land owner or operator becomes a party to the contract, except that where it is determined by the administering agency, with the approval of the State conservationist, NRCS, that the established BMPs will provide water quali… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.8 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.27 | § 634.27 Cost-share payment. | NRCS | (a) General. Participants are to obtain or contract for materials or services as needed to install BMPs. Federal Cost-share payments are to be made by the administering agency upon certification by the District Conservationist, NRCS, or its designee, that the BMPs, or an identifiable unit thereof, have been properly carried out and meet the appropriate standards and specifications. (b) Payment maximum. The maximum total Federal cost-share payment to a participant shall be limited to $50,000. Exceptions to this limit may be made by the administering agency with concurrence of the Administrator, NRCS, upon recommedation of the NRCWCC, where it determines that the main benefits to be derived are essential for meeting the water quality objectives in the project area. (c) Basis for cost-share payment. (1) Cost-share payments are to be made by the administering agency at the cost-share percentage and by one of the following methods designated by the administering agency and set out in the contract: (i) Average cost, or (ii) Actual cost not to exceed average cost. (2) If the average cost at the time of starting the installation of a BMP or identifiable unit is less than the costs specified in the contract, payment is to be at the lower rate. If the costs at the start of installation are higher, payment may be made at the higher rate. A modification will be necessary if the higher cost results in a significant increase in the total cost-share obligation. Cost-share payment is not to be made until the modification reflecting the increase is approved. (d) Average cost development. Average costs are to be developed by the administering agency for each project using cost data from the local area. These costs should be reviewed by the SRCWCC for consistency with average costs in other USDA programs. The average cost list is to be updated annually by the administering agency. (e) Application for payment. Cost-share payments can be made by the administering agency after a participant has carried out a BMP or an… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.3.1.9 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | C | Subpart C—Participant RCWP Contracts | 634.28 | § 634.28 Appeals not related to contract violations. | NRCS | (a) The participant may, prior to execution of the contract, request that the administering agency review or reconsider criteria being used in developing his or her contract. Such review or reconsideration may include the eligibility of BMP's which had not been approved for application in the project area, cost-sharing levels for BMP's, priorities for developing water quality plans, and standards and specifications. (1) If verbal agreement is not reached, the participant may make a written request within 30 days after receiving notice of the decision of his or her verbal request. (2) The administering agency shall have 30 days in which to make a decision and notify the participant in writing. (3) The decision of the administering agency shall be final. (b) If, after the contract has been executed, the participant and the administering agency are unable to reach written agreement relative on matters which are not related to contract violations, the participant may request and receive a review by the appeals board. The administering agency will: (1) Notify the participant, in writing, of the date the appeals board will consider the appeal. (2) Within 30 days after receiving the administering agency's notice, the participant may file a request to appear and present oral and other evidence. If the participant does not request an appearance, the administering agency appeals board will decide the dispute on the evidence available to them, including statements or briefs of the authorized representatives of the soil conservation district and NRCS. The administering agency shall notify the participants of the appeals board's decision in writing. There shall be no further administrative appeal of this decision. (c) Filing of documents. A document is considered filed when it is received in the office of the person or agency concerned. | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.4.1.1 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | D | Subpart D—Financial Management | 634.40 | § 634.40 Financial management. | NRCS | (a)(1) Finance and accounting will be in conformance with Office of Management & Budget Circular A-102, (Rev.); U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare Brochure OASC-10, Federal Management Circular FMC 74-4, “Cost Principles Applicable to Grants and Contracts with State and Local Government”; Department of the Treasury, Department Circular No. 1075 (4th Rev.), “Withdrawal of Cash from the Treasury for Advances under Federal Grant and other Programs”; Office of Management & Budget Circular No. A-34, “Instruction on Budget Execution”; U.S. Treasury Requirements Manual for Guidance of Departments and Agencies; and General Accounting Office Policy & Procedures Manual for Guidance of Federal Agencies. (2) Administering agency RCWP grants will be funded under Letter-of-Credit serviced by the U.S. Treasury Regional Disbursing Office (RCO), subject to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement or by NRCS approved advance/reimbursement financing agreements. (3) The State of local administering agency shall maintain a financial management system which provides accurate and complete disclosure of the financial status of the RCWP grant in accordance with prescribed reporting requirements. (4) The State or local administering agency shall upon request make its financial management system records available to NRCS, USDA Office of Inspector General, and the General Accounting Office. (5) Participation in comprehensive USDA/EPA joint water quality monitoring, evaluating, and analysis will be funded according to the plan approved in § 634.50(a)(3). (b)(1) The carrying out of RCWP will require both financial and performance reporting to the Natural Resources Conservation Service by participating USDA and State or local agencies. (2) USDA participating agencies shall furnish NRCS with reports prescribed by the U.S. Treasury Department; Office of Management and Budget; Administrative Regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and other reports required by law, regulation, or agreement. (3) State or local a… | |||
| 7:7:6.1.3.4.17.5.1.1 | 7 | Agriculture | VI | D | 634 | PART 634—RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM | E | Subpart E—Monitoring and Evaluation | 634.50 | § 634.50 Program and project monitoring and evaluation. | NRCS | (a) Comprehensive USDA/EPA joint water quality monitoring, evaluation, and analysis. (1) Representative RCWP project areas will be selected to evaluate the improvement in water quality in the project area and to make projections on a nationwide basis. Water-quality monitoring, evaluation, and analysis will be conducted to evaluate the overall cost and effectiveness of projects and BMPs to provide information on the impact of the program on improved water quality and for general RCWP program management. (2) Monitoring, evaluation, and analysis is a joint USDA/EPA responsibility. Subject to appropriation of funds, the Administrator, NRCS, and EPA are jointly to select the project areas to be monitored and evaluated based on a list of project areas recommended by the NRCWCC. (3) The Administrator, NRCS, and Administrator, EPA, are jointly to determine the criteria to be used for comprehensive water-quality monitoring, evaluation, and analysis in the selected project areas. A monitoring and evaluation plan is to be developed and agreed to by NRCS and EPA prior to initiating a project selected for monitoring and evaluation. The State water-quality agency and other Federal, State, and local agencies will be involved in the development of the plan for water-quality evaluation. The involvement of concerned agencies in implementing the plan will be determined at the time the plan is prepared. (4) The project areas selected for detailed analysis are to be representative of agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint source pollution problems, categories of agriculture and silvicutural nonpoint source pollutants, agricultural enterprises, and BMPs used in the RCWP. (5) Preference in the selection of project areas for comprehensive evaluation is to be given to those project areas for which long-term baseline information exists on land use, hydrologic data, and water quality. (6) Monitoring and evaluation of selected project areas is to begin sufficiently in advance of the installation of BMPs to document, in a statistical… |
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