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on a field in which highly erodible land is predominant or on converted wetland shall be ineligible:

(1) As to any commodity produced during that crop year by such person:

(i) For any type of price support or payment made available under the Agricultural Act of 1949, the CCC Charter Act, or any other Act;

(ii) For a farm storage facility loan made under section 4(h) of the CCC Charter Act;

(iii) For any disaster payments made under the Agricultural Act of 1949;

(iv) For crop insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act;

(v) For a farm loan made, insured, or guaranteed by the FmHA, if FmHA determines that the proceeds of such loan will be used for a purpose that will contribute to excessive erosion of highly erodible land (i.e., production of an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land without a conservation plan or conservation system as required by this part) or to conversion of wetland for agricultural commodity production; or

(2) For a payment made under section 4 or 5 of the CCC Charter Act during such crop year for the storage of an agricultural commodity owned by CCC.

(b) A person shall be determined to have produced an agricultural commodity on a field in which highly erodible land is predominant or converted wetland if:

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(1) SCS has determined that(i) Highly erodible land is predominant in such field or

(ii) All or a portion of the field is converted wetland;

(2) ASCS has determined that the person is or was entitled to share in the crops available from the land, or in the proceeds thereof; and

(3) ASCS has determined that the land is or was planted to an agricultural commodity or was planted to an agricultural commodity during the year for which the person is requesting benefits.

(c) Persons who produce agricultural commodities and wish to participate in any of the USDA programs described in paragraph (a) of this section are responsible for contacting the appropriate agency of the Department well in

advance of intended participation date so that Form AD 1026 can be completed. This contact will help assure that the appropriate determinations regarding highly erodible land or wetland, and conservation plans or conservation systems are scheduled in a timely manner. A late contact may not allow sufficient time for USDA to service the request and could result in a substantial delay in receiving a USDA determination of eligibility or ineligibility.

§ 12.5 Exemptions.

(a) Highly erodible cropland in production or in Department programs during 1981 through 1985 crop years. During the period beginning on December 23, 1985, and ending on the later of January 1, 1990, or the date that is two years after the date the cropland on which an agricultural commodity is produced was surveyed by the SCS to determine if such land is highly erodible, no person shall be determined to be ineligible for benefits as provided in § 12.4(a) as the result of the production of a crop of an agricultural commodity on any highly erodible land:

(1) That was planted to an agricultural commodity in any year 1981 through 1985; or

(2) That was set aside, diverted or otherwise not cultivated in any such crop years under a program administered by the Secretary for any such crops to reduce production of an agricultural commodity.

(b) Compliance with a conservation plan or conservation system. As further specified in this part, no person shall be ineligible for the program benefits described in § 12.4(a) as the result of production of an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land if such production is in compliance with an approved conservation plan or conservation system.

(1) With respect to the production of an agricultural commodity on any land identified under paragraph (a) of this section, if, as of January 1, 1990, or the date that is 2 years after the date SCS has completed a soil survey of the cropland on the tract or farm, whichever is later, a person is actively

applying a conservation plan based on the local SCS field office technical guide and approved by the CD, in consultation with the local ASC committees and SCS, such person shall have until January 1, 1995, to fully comply with the plan without being determined to be ineligible for benefits under § 12.4.

(2) Persons who had, during each of the 1981 to 1985 crop years, alfalfa on highly erodible land in a crop rotation determined by SCS to be adequate for the protection of highly erodible land shall have until June 1, 1988 to fully implement an approved conservation system without being subject to program ineligibility under § 12.4. Failure to fully implement an approved conservation system by June 1, 1988 shall cause a person to be determined to have been ineligible for program benefits for the 1988 crop year, and to be ineligible for each following crop year that an agricultural comnmodity is produced on such land without an approved conservation system.

(3) A person shall not be ineligible for program benefits under § 12.4(a) as the result of the production of an agricultural commodity which was produced on highly erodible land in and area:

(i) Under a conservation system that has been approved by the CD after the CD determined that the conservation system is in conformity with technical standards set forth in the SCS field office technical guide for such district; or

(ii) Not within a CD, under a conservation system that has been approved by SCS, to be adequate for the production of such agricultural commodity on highly erodible land.

(c) Reliance upon SCS determination for highly erodible land. A person shall not be ineligible for program benefits as the result of the production of an agricultural commodity which was produced on highly erodible land in reliance on a determination by SCS that such land was not highly erodible land, except that paragraph (b)(3) of this section shall not apply to any agricultural commodity that was planted on any land after SCS determines that such land is highly erodi

ble land, and the person is notified of such determinations.

(d) Exemptions for wetland. (1) A person shall not be determined to be ineligible for program benefits under § 12.4 as the result of the production of an agricultural commodity on:

(i) Converted wetland if the conversion of such wetland was commenced or completed before December 23, 1985; or

(ii) An artificial lake, pond or wetland created by excavating or diking non-wetland to collect and retain water for purposes such as water for livestock, fish production, irrigation (including subsurface irrigation), a settling basin, cooling, rice production, or flood control; or

(iii) A wet area created by a water delivery system, irrigation, irrigation system, or application of water for irrigation; or

(iv) Wetland on which production of an agricultural commodity is possible as a result of a natural condition, such as drought, and is possible without action by the person that destroys a natural wetland characteristic; or

(v) Converted wetland if SCS has determined that the actions of the person with respect to the production of an agricultural commodity on the converted wetland, individually and in connection with all other similar actions authorized by SCS in the area, would have only a minimal impact on the hydrological and biological aspect of wetlands.

(vi) Wetlands converted by actions of persons other than the person applying for USDA program benefits or any of the person's predecessors in interest after December 23, 1985, if such conversion was not the result of a scheme or device to avoid compliance with this part. Further drainage improvement on such lands is not permitted without loss of eligibility for USDA program benefits, unless the SCS determines under paragraph (d)(1)(v) of this section that further drainage activities applied to such lands would have minimal effect on any remaining wetland values. In applying this paragraph, converted wetlands shall be presumed to have been converted by the person applying for USDA program benefits unless the

person can show that the conversion was caused by a third party with whom the person was not associated through a scheme or device as described under § 12.10. In this regard, activities of a water resource district, drainage district or similar entity will be attributed to all persons within the jurisdiction of the district or other entity who are assessed for the activities of the district or entity. Accordingly, where a person's wetlands are converted due to the actions of the district or entity, the person shall be considered to have caused or permitted the drainage.

(2) The conversion of a wetland, for purposes of this section, is considered to have been completed before December 23, 1985 if before that date, the draining, dredging, leveling, filling or other manipulation, (including any activity that resulted in the impairing or reducing the flow, circulation, or reach of water) was applied to the wetland and made the production of an agricultural commodity possible without further manipulation described herein where such production on the wetland would not otherwise have been possible.

(3) Except as provided under paragraph (d)(4) of this section, the conversion of a wetland is considered to have been commenced before December 23, 1985 if before such date:

(i) Any of the activities described in § 12.2(a)(6) were actually started on the wetland; or

(ii) The person applying for benefits has expended or legally committed substantial funds either by entering into a contract for the installation of any of the activities described in § 12.2(a)(6) or by purchasing construction supplies or materials for the primary and direct purpose of converting the wetland; and

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menced before December 23, 1985, if before such date:

(i) A project drainage plan setting forth in detail the planned drainage measures or other works of improvement had been officially adopted by the district or other entity; and

(ii) The district or other entity started installation of the drainage measures, or legally committed substantial funds toward the conversion of wetlands by entering into a contract for the installation of any of the activities described in § 12.2(a)(6) or by purchasing construction supplies and materials for the primary and direct purpose of converting wetland; and

(iii) The person applying for benefits can show that the wetland conversion with which the person is associated was the basis of a financial obligation to the district or other entity prior to December 23, 1985, and that a specific assessment for the project construction or a legal obligation to pay a specific assessment was made as to the person's wetlands prior to December 23, 1985.

(5) The purpose of the determination of conversion commencement made under paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) of this section is to implement the legislative intent that those persons who had actually started conversion of wetland or obligated funds for conversion prior to the effective date of the Act (December 23, 1985) would be allowed to complete the conversion so as to avoid unnecessary economic hardship. Accordingly, the following requirements shall apply to all determinations of commencement made under paragraphs (d)(3) or (d)(4).

(i) All persons who believe they have a wetland or converted wetland for which conversion began but was not completed prior to December 23, 1985, must, before September 19, 1988, request ASCS to make a determination of commencement in order to be considered for exemption under § 12.4(d)(1)(i).

(ii) A person must show that the commenced activity has been actively pursued or the conversion will not be exempt under this section. In this context, "actively pursued" means that efforts toward the completion of the conversion activity have continued on

a regular basis since initiation of the conversion, except for delays due to circumstances beyond the person's control. With regard to wetland conversion by a person that is related to the project activities of a drainage district or other similar entity, the application of "actively pursued" begins when the project works are functional for connection and use by the person. (iii) Any conversion activity considered to be commenced under this section shall lose its exempt status if not completed on or before January 1, 1995.

(iv) Only those wetlands for which the construction has begun or to which the contract or purchased supplies and materials relate may qualify for a determination of commencement. However, in those circumstances where the conversion of wetland does not meet the specific requirements of this paragraph, the person may request a commencement of conversion determination from the Deputy Administrator, State and County Operations, ASCS (the "Deputy Administrator"), upon a showing that undue economic hardship will result because of substantial financial obligations incurred prior to December 23, 1985, for the primary and direct purpose of converting the wetland.

(e) The provisions of § 12.4 shall not apply to any loan as described in § 12.4(a) that was made before December 23, 1985.

(f) A person shall not be determined to be ineligible in accordance with the provisions of this part for any benefits listed in § 12.4(a) with respect to the production of an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land which was planted before or in any crop year that began before December 23, 1985.

(g) It is the responsibility of the person seeking an exemption under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section to provide evidence, such as receipts, crop history data, drawings, plans or similar information, that the conversion was started or completed before December 23, 1985, for purposes of determining whether the conversion is exempt in accordance with this section.

[52 FR 35200, Sept. 17, 1987; 53 FR 3999, Feb. 11, 1988]

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(b) Administration by ASCS. (1) The provisions of this part which are applicable to ASCS will be administered under the general supervision of the Administrator, ASCS, and shall be carried out in the field in part by State ASC committees (STC) and county ASC committees (COC).

(2) The Deputy Administrator may determine any question arising under the provisions of this part which are applicable to ASCS and may reverse or modify any determination of eligibility with respect to programs administered by ASCS made by an STC or COC or any other ASCS office or ASCS official (except the Administrator) in connection with the provisions of this part.

(3) ASCS shall make the following determination which are required to be made in accordance with this part:

(i) Whether a person produced an agricultural commodity on a particular field as determined under § 12.4(b); (ii) The establishment of field described

boundaries § 12.2(a)(13);

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(iii) Whether land was planted to an agricultural commodity in any of the years, 1981 through 1985, for the purposes of § 12.5(a)(1);

(iv) Whether to allow a person to exchange certain crop acreage bases (CAB) between CAB's with crops that leave a high residue, if recommended by SCS for inclusion in the conservation plan.

(v) Whether land was set aside, diverted or otherwise not cultivated under a program administered by the Secretary for any crop to reduce production of an agricultural commodity under § 12.5(a)(2);

(vi) Whether the agricultural commodity planted on a particular field

was planted before December 23, 1985, or during any crop year which began before December 23, 1985, in accordance with § 12.5(f);

(vii) Whether for the purposes of § 12.9, the production of an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land or converted wetland by a landlord's tenant or sharecropper is required under the terms and conditions of the agreement between the landlord and such tenant or sharecropper and

(viii) Whether the conversion of a particular wetland was commenced before December 23, 1985, for the purposes of § 12.5(d) (3) or (4).

(ix) Whether the conversion of a wetland was caused by a third party under § 12.5(d)(1)(vi).

(4) A representative number of farms selected in accordance with instructions issued by the Deputy Administrator shall be inspected by an authorized representative of ASCS to determine compliance with any requirement specified in this part as a prerequisite for obtaining program benefits.

(5) ASCS will consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on pending commenced or third party determinations.

(c) Administration by SCS. (1) The provisions of this part that are applicable to SCS shall be administered under the general supervision of the Chief of the SCS and carried out in the field by the state conservationist, area conservationist, and district conservationist.

(2) SCS shall make the following determinations which are required to be made in accordance with this part:

(i) Whether land is highly erodible or is a wetland or a converted wetland in accordance with the provisions of this part;

(ii) Whether highly erodible land is predominant on a particular field under § 12.4(b);

(iii) Whether the conservation plan that a person is actively applying is based on the local SCS field office technical guide and is approved by

(A) The CD, in consultation with local ASC committees and SCS, or (B) By SCS;

(iv) Whether the conservation system that a person is using has been approved by the CD under § 12.5(b)(3)

or, in an area not within a CD, a conservation system approved by the SCS to be adequate for the production of an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land;

(v) Whether production of an agricultural commodity on a wetland is possible as a result of natural conditions and is possible without action by the producer that destroys a natural wetland characteristic; and

(vi) Whether the actions of a person with respect to the production of an agricultural commodity on converted wetland would have only a minimal impact on the hydrological and biological aspects of wetland.

(3) SCS will provide such other technical assistance for implementation of the provisions of this part as is determined to be necessary.

(4) A person may obtain a highly erodible land or wetland determination by making a written request on Form AD 1026. The determination will be made in writing, and a copy will be provided to the person.

(i) A determination of whether or not an area meets the highly erodible land or wetland criteria may be made by the district conservationist based upon existing records or other information and without the need for an on-site determination. This determination will be made, if practicable, within 15 calendar days after receipt of the written request.

(ii) An on-site determination as to whether an area meets the applicable criteria shall be made by the district conservationist if the person has disagreed with the determination made under paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section, or if adequate information is not otherwise available to the district conservationist on which to make a determination.

(iii) An on-site determination, where applicable, will be made as soon as possible, but no later than 60 calendar days following a request for such a determination unless site conditions are unfavorable for the evaluation of soils or vegetation in which case the time period may be extended by the district conservationist until site conditions permit an adequate evaluation.

(iv) With regard to wetland determinations, if an area is continuously in

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