7 U.S.C. § 4204 — Technical assistance

Page 1682 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 4203 1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma. such adverse effects; and assure that such Fed- eral programs, to the extent practicable, are compatible with State, unit of local govern- ment, and private programs and policies to pro- tect farmland. (c) Availability of restorative, etc., information 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 quan- tity and quality of farmland. (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.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–624 inserted ‘‘to identify the quantity of farmland actually converted by Federal programs, and’’ after ‘‘of this section,’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective six months after Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1549 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under sec- tion 4201 of this title. § 4203. Existing policies and procedures; review, etc. (a) Each department, agency, independent commission, or other unit of the Federal Gov- ernment, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, shall review current provisions of law, administrative rules and regulations, and policies and procedures applicable to it to deter- mine whether any provision thereof will prevent such unit of the Federal Government from tak- ing appropriate action to comply fully with the provisions of this chapter. (b) Each department, agency, independent commission, or other unit of the Federal Gov- ernment, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, shall, as appropriate, develop proposals for action to bring its programs, au- thorities, and administrative activities into con- formity with the purpose and policy of this chapter. (Pub. L. 97–98, title XIV, § 1542, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1343.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective six months after Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1549 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under sec- tion 4201 of this title. § 4204. Technical assistance The Secretary is encouraged to provide tech- nical assistance to any State or unit of local government, or any nonprofit organization, as determined by the Secretary, that desires to de- velop programs or policies to limit the conver- sion of productive farmland to nonagricultural uses. (Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1543, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1343.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective six months after Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1549 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under sec- tion 4201 of this title. § 4205. Farmland resource information (a) The Secretary, through existing agencies or interagency groups, and in cooperation with the cooperative extension services of the States, shall design and implement educational pro- grams and materials emphasizing the impor- tance of productive farmland to the Nation’s well-being and distribute educational materials through communications media, schools, groups, and other Federal agencies. (b) The Secretary shall designate one or more farmland information centers to serve as central depositories and distribution points for informa- tion on farmland issues, policies, programs, technical principles, and innovative actions or proposals by local and State governments. (Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1544, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1343.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective six months after Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1549 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under sec- tion 4201 of this title. § 4206. Grants, contracts, etc., authority The Secretary may carry out the purposes of this chapter, with existing facilities and funds otherwise available, through the use of grants, contracts, or such other means as the Secretary deems appropriate. (Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1545, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1343.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective six months after Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1549 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under sec- tion 4201 of this title. § 4207. Reporting requirement On January 1, 1987, and at the beginning of each subsequent calendar year.1 the Secretary of Agriculture shall report to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Sen- ate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives on the progress made in implementing the provisions of this chapter. Such report shall include information on— (1) the effects, if any, of Federal programs, authorities, and administrative activities with respect to the protection of United States farmland; and (2) the results of the reviews of existing poli- cies and procedures required under section 4203(a) of this title. (Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, § 1546, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1343; Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1255(a), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1518.)