---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3831"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3831"
heading: "Conservation reserve"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3831"
units:
  - "Chapter 58 — Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation and Reserve Program"
  - "Subchapter IV — Agricultural Resources Conservation Program"
  - "Part I — Comprehensive Conservation Enhancement Program"
  - "Subpart b — conservation reserve"
---

# §3831. Conservation reserve

- (a) **In general—** Through the 2023 fiscal year, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall formulate and carry out a conservation reserve program under which land is enrolled through the use of contracts to assist [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) and operators of land specified in [subsection (b)](#b) to conserve and improve the soil, water, and wildlife resources of such land and to address issues raised by [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), regional, and national conservation initiatives.
- (b) **Eligible land—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may include in the program established under this subpart—
  - (1) [highly erodible cropland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-10) that—
    - (A)
      - (i) if permitted to remain untreated could substantially reduce the agricultural production capability for future generations; or
      - (ii) cannot be farmed in accordance with a plan that complies with the requirements of subchapter II; and
    - (B) the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) determines had a cropping history or was considered to be planted for 4 of the 6 years preceding December 20, 2018, on the condition that the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall consider to be planted cropland enrolled in the conservation reserve program;
  - (2) marginal pasture land to be devoted to appropriate vegetation, including trees, in or near riparian [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), or devoted to similar water quality purposes (including marginal pastureland converted to [wetland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) or established as wildlife habitat);
  - (3) grasslands that—
    - (A) contain forbs or shrubland (including improved rangeland and pastureland) for which grazing is the predominant use;
    - (B) are located in an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) historically dominated by grasslands; and
    - (C) could provide habitat for animal and plant populations of significant ecological value if the land is retained in its current use or restored to a natural condition;
  - (4) cropland, marginal pasture land, and grasslands that will have a positive impact on water quality and will be devoted to—
    - (A) a grass sod waterway;
    - (B) a contour grass sod strip;
    - (C) a prairie strip;
    - (D) a filterstrip;
    - (E) a riparian buffer;
    - (F) a [wetland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) or a [wetland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) buffer;
    - (G) a saturated buffer;
    - (H) a bioreactor; or
    - (I) another similar water quality practice, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21);
  - (5) cropland that is otherwise ineligible if the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) determines that—
    - (A) if permitted to remain in agricultural production, the land would—
      - (i) contribute to the degradation of soil, water, or air quality; or
      - (ii) pose an on-site or off-site environmental threat to soil, water, or air quality;
    - (B) the land is a—
      - (i) newly-created, permanent grass sod waterway; or
      - (ii) a contour grass sod strip established and maintained as part of an approved [conservation plan](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-3);
    - (C) the land will be devoted to newly established living snow fences, permanent wildlife habitat, windbreaks, [shelterbelts](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-22), salt tolerant vegetation, [field](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-9) borders, or practices to benefit [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) or federally identified wellhead protection [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
    - (D) the land poses an off-farm environmental threat, or a threat of continued degradation of productivity due to soil salinity, if permitted to remain in production; or
    - (E) enrollment of the land would facilitate a net savings in groundwater or surface water resources of the agricultural operation of the producer;
  - (6) the portion of land in a [field](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-9) not enrolled in the conservation reserve in a case in which—
    - (A) more than 50 percent of the land in the [field](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-9) is enrolled as a buffer or filterstrip, or more than 75 percent of the land in the [field](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-9) is enrolled as a conservation practice other than as a buffer or filterstrip; and
    - (B) the remainder of the [field](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-9) is—
      - (i) infeasible to farm; and
      - (ii) enrolled at regular rental rates; or
  - (7) as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), land—
    - (A) that was enrolled in the conservation reserve program under a 15-year contract that expired on September 30, 2017, or September 30, 2018;
    - (B) for which there was no opportunity for additional enrollment in that program; and
    - (C) on which the conservation practice under the expired contract under [subparagraph (A)](#b-7-A) is maintained.
- (c) **Planting status of certain land—** For purposes of determining the eligibility of land to be placed in the conservation reserve established under this subpart, land shall be considered to be planted to an [agricultural commodity](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-1) during a crop year if, during the crop year, the land was devoted to a conserving use.
- (d) **Enrollment—**
  - (1) **Maximum acreage enrolled—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time during—
    - (A) fiscal year 2019, not more than 24,000,000 acres;
    - (B) fiscal year 2020, not more than 24,500,000 acres;
    - (C) fiscal year 2021, not more than 25,000,000 acres;
    - (D) fiscal year 2022, not more than 25,500,000 acres; and
    - (E) fiscal year 2023, not more than 27,000,000 acres.
  - (2) **Grasslands—**
    - (A) **Limitation—** For purposes of applying the limitations in [paragraph (1)](#d-1)—
      - (i) the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall enroll and maintain in the conservation reserve not fewer than 2,000,000 acres of the land described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3) by September 30, 2023; and
      - (ii) in carrying out [clause (i)](#d-2-A-i), to the maximum extent practicable, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time during—
        - (I) fiscal year 2019, 1,000,000 acres;
        - (II) fiscal year 2020, 1,500,000 acres; and
        - (III) fiscal years 2021 through 2023, 2,000,000 acres.
    - (B) **Priority—** In enrolling acres under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may give priority to land, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21)—
      - (i) with expiring conservation reserve contracts;
      - (ii) at risk of conversion or development; or
      - (iii) of ecological significance, including land that—
        - (I) may assist in the restoration of threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ([16 U.S.C. 1531](/usc/16/1531.md) et seq.);
        - (II) may assist in preventing a species from being listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ([16 U.S.C. 1531](/usc/16/1531.md) et seq.); or
        - (III) improves or creates wildlife habitat corridors.
    - (C) **Method of enrollment—**
      - (i) **In general—** In enrolling acres under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall make the program available to [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) or operators of eligible land on an annual enrollment basis with one or more ranking periods.
      - (ii) **Timing of grassland ranking period—** For purposes of grasslands described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall announce at least 1 ranking period subsequent to the announcement of general enrollment offers.
    - (D) **Reservation of unenrolled acres—** If the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) is unable in a fiscal year to enroll enough acres of land described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3) to meet the number of acres described in clause [(ii)](#d-2-D-ii) or (iii)[^1] of [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A) for the fiscal year—
      - (i) the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall reserve the remaining number of acres for that fiscal year for the enrollment of land described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3); and
      - (ii) that number of acres shall not be available for the enrollment of any other type of eligible land.
  - (3) **Water quality practices to foster clean lakes, estuaries, and rivers (clear initiative)—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall give priority within continuous enrollment under [paragraph (6)](#d-6) to the enrollment of land described in [subsection (b)(4)](#b-4).
    - (B) **Sediment and nutrient loadings—** In carrying out [subparagraph (A)](#d-3-A), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall give priority to the implementation of practices on land that, if enrolled, will help reduce sediment loadings, nutrient loadings, and harmful algal blooms, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21).
    - (C) **Acreage—**
      - (i) **In general—** Of the acres maintained in the conservation reserve in accordance with [paragraph (1)](#d-1), to the maximum extent practicable, not less than 40 percent of acres enrolled in the conservation reserve using continuous enrollment under [paragraph (6)](#d-6) shall be of land described in [subsection (b)(4)](#b-4).
      - (ii) **Limitation—** The acres described in [clause (i)](#d-3-C-i) shall not include grasslands described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3).
    - (D) **Report—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall—
      - (i) in the monthly publication of the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) describing conservation reserve program statistics, include a description of enrollments through the priority under this paragraph; and
      - (ii) publish on the website of the Farm Service Agency an annual report describing a summary of, with respect to the enrollment priority under this paragraph—
        - (I) new enrollments;
        - (II) expirations;
        - (III) geographic distribution; and
        - (IV) estimated water quality benefits.
  - (4) **State enrollment rates—** At the beginning of each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to the maximum extent practicable, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall allocate to the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) proportionately 60 percent of the available number of acres each year for enrollment in the conservation reserve, in accordance with historical [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) enrollment rates, [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) into consideration—
    - (A) the average number of acres of all land enrolled in the conservation reserve in each [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) during each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016;
    - (B) the average number of acres of all land enrolled in the conservation reserve nationally during each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016; and
    - (C) the acres available for enrollment during each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, excluding acres described in [paragraph (2)](#d-2).
  - (5) **Frequency—** In carrying out this subpart, for contracts that are not available on a continuous enrollment basis, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall hold a signup and enrollment not less often than once each year.
  - (6) **Continuous enrollment procedure—**
    - (A) **In general—** To the maximum extent practicable, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall allow producers to submit applications on a continuous basis for enrollment in—
      - (i) the conservation reserve of—
        - (I) marginal pasture land described in [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2);
        - (II) land described in [subsection (b)(4)](#b-4); and
        - (III) cropland described in [subsection (b)(5)](#b-5); and
      - (ii) the conservation reserve enhancement program under [section 3831a of this title](/usc/16/3831a.md).
    - (B) **Limitation—** For purposes of applying the limitations in [paragraph (1)](#d-1)—
      - (i) the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enroll and maintain not fewer than 8,600,000 acres of land under [subparagraph (A)](#d-6-A) by September 30, 2023; and
      - (ii) in carrying out [clause (i)](#d-6-B-i), to the maximum extent practicable, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time during—
        - (I) fiscal year 2019, 8,000,000 acres;
        - (II) fiscal year 2020, 8,250,000 acres;
        - (III) fiscal year 2021, 8,500,000 acres; and
        - (IV) fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 8,600,000 acres.
- (e) **Duration of contract—**
  - (1) **In general—** For the purpose of carrying out this subpart, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall enter into contracts of not less than 10, nor more than 15, years.
  - (2) **Special rule for certain land—** In the case of land devoted to hardwood trees, [shelterbelts](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-22), windbreaks, or wildlife corridors under a contract entered into under this subpart, the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) or operator of the land may, within the limitations prescribed under [paragraph (1)](#e-1), specify the duration of the contract.
- (f) **Conservation priority areas—**
  - (1) **Designation—** On application by the appropriate [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) agency, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall designate [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of special environmental sensitivity as conservation priority [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (2) **Eligible areas—** [Areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) eligible for designation under this subsection shall include [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) with actual and significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts related to agricultural production activities.
  - (3) **Expiration—** Conservation priority [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designation under this subsection shall expire after 5 years, subject to redesignation, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may withdraw an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)’s designation if the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) finds that the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) no longer contains actual and significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts related to agricultural production activities.
  - (4) **Duty of Secretary—** In carrying out this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall attempt to maximize water quality and habitat benefits in the watersheds described in [paragraph (1)](#f-1) by promoting a significant level of enrollment of land within the watersheds in the program under this subpart by whatever means the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) determines are appropriate and consistent with the purposes of this subpart.
- (g) **Multi-year grasses and legumes—**
  - (1) **In general—** For purposes of this subpart, alfalfa and other multi-year grasses and legumes in a rotation practice, approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), shall be considered [agricultural commodities](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-1).
  - (2) **Cropping history—** Alfalfa, when grown as part of a rotation practice, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), is an [agricultural commodity](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-1) subject to the cropping history criteria under [subsection (b)(1)(B)](#b-1-B) for the purpose of determining whether [highly erodible cropland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-10) has been planted or considered planted for 4 of the 6 years referred to in such subsection.
- (h) **Eligibility for consideration—**
  - (1) **In general—** On the expiration of a contract entered into under this subpart, the land subject to the contract shall be eligible to be considered for reenrollment in the conservation reserve.
  - (2) **Reenrollment limitation for certain land—**
    - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#h-2-B), land subject to a contract entered into under this subpart shall be eligible for only one reenrollment in the conservation reserve under [paragraph (1)](#h-1) if the land is devoted to hardwood trees.
    - (B) **Exclusions—** [Subparagraph (A)](#h-2-A) shall not apply to—
      - (i) riparian forested buffers;
      - (ii) forested [wetlands](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) enrolled under [subsection (d)(3)](#d-3) or the conservation reserve enhancement program under [section 3831a of this title](/usc/16/3831a.md); and
      - (iii) [shelterbelts](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-22).
- (i) **Balance of natural resource purposes—** In determining the acceptability of contract offers under this subpart, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, an equitable balance among the conservation purposes of soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. There is no cl. (iii) of subpar. (A).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1231, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 238; amended Pub. L. 109–148, div. B, title I, § 107(a), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2750; Pub. L. 109–234, title III, § 3022, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 478; Pub. L. 110–28, title IV, § 4101, May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 152; Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §§ 2101–2105, 2106(a)(2), (b)(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1028, 1029, 1031, 1032; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, §§ 2101–2105, 2106(a)(2), (b)(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1756, 1757, 1759, 1760; Pub. L. 112–240, title VII, § 701(c)(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2363; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2001, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 713; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2201, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4530.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii)(I), (II), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3831, Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1231, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1509; Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(a) [title VI, § 643], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783, 1783–36, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(a) [title VI, § 643], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341, 3341–36; Pub. L. 99–641, title II, § 205, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3563; Pub. L. 101–624, title XIV, §§ 1432(2), 1447(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3577, 3605; Pub. L. 102–324, § 1(a), July 22, 1992, 106 Stat. 447; Pub. L. 103–66, title I, § 1402(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 332; Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 332(a)(1), (b), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 994; Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title XI, § 1102(a)], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–75; Pub. L. 107–76, title VII, § 758(a), Nov. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 741, related to a conservation reserve program to be formulated and carried out by the Secretary through the 2002 calendar year, prior to the general amendment of this subpart by Pub. L. 107–171.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(a), substituted “2023” for “2018”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(b)(1), substituted “4 of the 6 years preceding December 20, 2018, on the condition that the Secretary shall consider to be planted cropland enrolled in the conservation reserve program” for “4 of the 6 years preceding February 7, 2014 (except for land enrolled in the conservation reserve program as of that date)”.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(b)(3), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec (b)(5). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(b)(2), (4)(A), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and substituted “salt tolerant vegetation, field borders, or practices to benefit State or federally identified wellhead protection areas” for “or filterstrips or riparian buffers devoted to trees, shrubs, or grasses” in subpar. (C). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(b)(2), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(b)(4)(B)–(6), added par. (7).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(c)(1), added subpars. (A) to (E) and struck out former subpars. (A) to (E) which read as follows:

“(A) fiscal year 2014, no more than 27,500,000 acres;

“(B) fiscal year 2015, no more than 26,000,000 acres;

“(C) fiscal year 2016, no more than 25,000,000 acres;

“(D) fiscal year 2017, no more than 24,000,000 acres; and

“(E) fiscal year 2018, no more than 24,000,000 acres.”

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(c)(2)(A), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of applying the limitations in paragraph (1), no more than 2,000,000 acres of the land described in subsection (b)(3) may be enrolled in the program at any one time during the 2014 through 2018 fiscal years.”

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(c)(2)(A), added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In enrolling acres under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give priority to land with expiring conservation reserve program contracts.”

Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(c)(2)(B), designated existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted heading, substituted “an annual enrollment basis” for “a continuous enrollment basis”, and added cl. (ii).

Subsec. (d)(2)(D). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(c)(2)(C), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (d)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(c)(3), added pars. (3) to (6).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2201(d), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and added par. (2).

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(a), substituted “2018” for “2012”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(b)(1), substituted “February 7, 2014” for “the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008”.

Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(b)(2), (3), redesignated par. (3) as (2), added par. (3), and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “marginal pasture land converted to wetland or established as wildlife habitat prior to November 28, 1990;”.

Subsec. (b)(4)(C). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(b)(4), substituted “filterstrips or riparian buffers devoted to trees, shrubs, or grasses” for “filterstrips devoted to trees or shrubs”.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(b)(5), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “the portion of land in a field not enrolled in the conservation reserve in a case in which more than 50 percent of the land in the field is enrolled as a buffer, if—

“(A) the land is enrolled as part of the buffer; and

“(B) the remainder of the field is—

“(i) infeasible to farm; and

“(ii) enrolled at regular rental rates.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(c), substituted “if, during the crop year, the land was devoted to a conserving use.” for “if—” and struck out pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:

“(1) during the crop year, the land was devoted to a conserving use; or

“(2)(A) during the crop year or during any of the 2 years preceding the crop year, the land was enrolled in the water bank program; and

“(B) the contract of the owner or operator of the cropland expired or will expire in calendar year 2000, 2001, or 2002.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(d), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary may maintain up to 39,200,000 acres in the conservation reserve at any 1 time during the 2002 through 2009 fiscal years (including contracts extended by the Secretary pursuant to section 1437(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 3831 note; Public Law 101–624)). During fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Secretary may maintain up to 32,000,000 acres in the conservation reserve at any 1 time.”

Subsec. (e)(2), (3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(e), added par. (2) and struck out former pars. (2) and (3) which related to duration of contracts for certain land and 1-year extensions, respectively.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(f)(1), struck out “watershed areas of the Chesapeake Bay Region, the Great Lakes Region, the Long Island Sound Region, and other” before “areas of special”.

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(f)(2), substituted “areas” for “watersheds” in heading and “Areas” for “Watersheds” in text.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2001(f)(3), substituted “an area’s designation if the Secretary finds that the area no longer contains actual and significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts related to agricultural production activities.” for “a watershed’s designation—” and struck out subpars. (A) and (B) which read as follows:

“(A) on application by the appropriate State agency; or

“(B) in the case of an area covered by this subsection, if the Secretary finds that the area no longer contains actual and significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts related to agricultural production activities.”

2013—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–240 substituted “2012, and 2013” for “and 2012”.

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2101, substituted “2012 fiscal year” for “2007 calendar year” and inserted “and to address issues raised by State, regional, and national conservation initiatives” before period at end.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2102(1), substituted “the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008” for “May 13, 2002” and substituted semicolon for period at end.

Subsec. (b)(4)(C) to (E). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2102(2), in subpar. (C) struck out “or” at end, in subpar. (D) substituted “or” for “and” at end, and in subpar. (E) inserted “or” at end.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2103, substituted “2009 fiscal years” for “2007 calendar years” and “(16 U.S.C.” for “( 16 U.S.C.” and inserted at end “During fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012, the Secretary may maintain up to 32,000,000 acres in the conservation reserve at any 1 time.”

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2104, substituted “the Chesapeake Bay Region” for “the Chesapeake Bay Region (Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia)”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2105, amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this subpart, alfalfa and other multi-year grasses and legumes in a rotation practice, approved by the Secretary, shall be considered agricultural commodities.”

Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2106(a)(2), redesignated subsecs. (i) and (j) as (h) and (i), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (h) which related to pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in conservation reserve during 2002 through 2007 calendar years.

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2106(b)(1), renumbered subsec. (k) as section 3831a of this title.

2007—Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 110–28 substituted “The” for “During calendar year 2006, the”.

2006—Subsec. (k)(3)(G). Pub. L. 109–234 substituted “$504,100,000” for “$404,100,000”.

2005—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 109–148 added subsec. (k).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–240 effective Sept. 30, 2012, see section 701(j) of Pub. L. 112–240, set out in a 1-Year Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

### Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

### Regulations

Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title XI, § 1105], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–78, required the Secretary of Agriculture, as soon as practicable after Oct. 28, 2000, to promulgate regulations to implement the amendments by section 1(a) [title XI] of Pub. L. 106–387, amending former sections 3831 and 3832 of this title.

### Eligible Land; State Law Requirements

Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2209, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4551, provided that: “The Secretary shall revise paragraph (4) of section 1410.6(d) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide that land enrolled under a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program agreement initially established before January 1, 2014 (including an amended or successor Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program agreement, as determined by the Secretary), shall not be ineligible for enrollment in the conservation reserve program established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) under that paragraph if the Deputy Administrator (as defined in section 1410.2(b) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), on recommendation from and in consultation with the applicable State technical committee established under section 1261(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(a)) determines, under such terms and conditions as the Deputy Administrator, in consultation with the State technical committee, determines to be appropriate, that making that land eligible for enrollment in that program is not contrary to the purposes of that program.”

### Effect on Existing Contracts

Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2008, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 720, provided that: In General.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle A (§§ 2001–2008) of title II of Pub. L. 113–79, amending this section and sections 3831b and 3832 to 3835 of this title and repealing section 3835a of this title] shall not affect the validity or terms of any contract entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [Feb. 7, 2014], or any payments required to be made in connection with the contract. Updating of Existing Contracts.—The Secretary shall permit an owner or operator of land subject to a contract entered into under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [Feb. 7, 2014], to update the contract to reflect the activities and uses of land under contract permitted under the terms and conditions of section 1233(b) of that Act [16 U.S.C. 3833(b)] (as amended by section 2004), as determined appropriate by the Secretary.”

### Study on Economic Effects

Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2101(b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 252, provided that, not later than 18 months after May 13, 2002, the Secretary of Agriculture would submit to Congress a report, to include specified analyses, that describes the economic and social effects on rural communities resulting from the conservation reserve program established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.).

### Study of Impact of Pilot Program

Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title XI, § 1104], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–78, required the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of the impact of the pilot program established under former section 3831(h) of this title, as added by section 1(a) [title XI, § 1102(a)] of Pub. L. 106–387, and to report on the results of the study to committees of Congress not later than Mar. 1, 2003.

### Study of Land Use for Expiring Contracts and Extension of Authority

Pub. L. 101–624, title XIV, § 1437, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3584, which required the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of cropland subject to expiring conservation reserve contracts entered into prior to Nov. 28, 1990, and to report on the study to committees of Congress not later than Dec. 31, 1993, and authorized the Secretary, during calendar years 1996 to 2000, to extend up to 10 years contracts entered into under this subpart prior to Nov. 28, 1990, or to purchase long-term or permanent easements as provided for in former part III of this subchapter, at the option of the owner or operator on land that the Secretary has determined under the study should remain in conserving uses, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–334, title II, § 2815, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4602.

### Existing Conservation Programs

Pub. L. 99–263, Mar. 24, 1986, 100 Stat. 59, provided: “That the conservation reserve program shall not replace or reduce any existing conservation program.”