16 U.S.C. § 3451 — Definitions

In this subchapter: (1) **Area plan** — The term “area plan” means a resource conservation and use plan developed through a locally led planning process by a council for a designated area of 1 or more States, or of land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, that includes 1 or more of the following elements: (A) A land conservation element, the purpose of which is to control erosion and sedimentation. (B) A water management element that provides 1 or more clear environmental or conservation benefits, the purpose of which is to provide for— (i) the conservation, use, and quality of water, including irrigation and rural water supplies; (ii) the mitigation of floods and high water tables; (iii) the repair and improvement of reservoirs; (iv) the improvement of agricultural water management; and (v) the improvement of water quality. (C) A community development element, the purpose of which is to improve— (i) the development of resources-based industries; (ii) the protection of rural industries from natural resource hazards; (iii) the development of adequate rural water and waste disposal systems; (iv) the improvement of recreation facilities; (v) the improvement in the quality of rural housing; (vi) the provision of adequate health and education facilities; (vii) the satisfaction of essential transportation and communication needs; and (viii) the promotion of food security, economic development, and education. (D) A land management element, the purpose of which is— (i) energy conservation, including the production of energy crops; (ii) the protection of agricultural land, as appropriate, from conversion to other uses; (iii) farmland protection; and (iv) the protection of fish and wildlife habitats. (2) **Board** — The term “Board” means the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board established under [section 3456(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title16-section3456/a&num=0&edition=prelim). (3) **Council** — The term “council” means a nonprofit entity (including an affiliate of the entity) operating in a State that is— (A) established by volunteers or representatives of States, local units of government, Indian tribes, or local nonprofit organizations to carry out an area plan in a designated area; and (B) designated by the chief executive officer or legislature of the State to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter. (4) **Designated area** — The term “designated area” means a geographic area designated by the Secretary to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter. (5) **Financial assistance** — 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. (6) **Indian tribe** — The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in [section 5304 of title 25](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title25-section5304&num=0&edition=prelim). (7) **Local unit of government** — The term “local unit of government” means— (A) any county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general-purpose subdivision of a State; and (B) any local or regional special district or other limited political subdivision of a State, including any soil conservation district, school district, park authority, and water or sanitary district. (8) **Locally led planning process** — 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. (9) **Nonprofit organization** — The term “nonprofit organization” means any organization that is— (A) described in [section 501(c) of title 26](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title26-section501/c&num=0&edition=prelim); and (B) exempt from taxation under [section 501(a) of title 26](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title26-section501/a&num=0&edition=prelim). (10) **Project** — The term “project” means a project that is carried out by a council to achieve any of the elements of an area plan. (11) **Secretary** — The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture. (12) **State** — The term “State” means— (A) any State; (B) the District of Columbia; or (C) any territory or possession of the United States. (13) **Technical assistance** — The term “technical assistance” means any service provided by the Secretary or agent of the Secretary, including— (A) inventorying, evaluating, planning, designing, supervising, laying out, and inspecting projects; (B) providing maps, reports, and other documents associated with the services provided; (C) providing assistance for the implementation of area plans and projects; and (D) providing services that involve the resources of Department of Agriculture programs in a local community, as defined in the locally led planning process.