---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7784"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7784"
heading: "Agreements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7784"
units:
  - "Chapter 104 — Plant Protection"
  - "Subchapter V — Noxious Weed Control and Eradication"
---

# §7784. Agreements

- (a) **Consultation and consent—** In carrying out an agreement under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) shall—
  - (1) if the activities funded under the agreement will take place on Federal land, consult with the heads of the Federal agencies having jurisdiction over the land; or
  - (2) obtain the written consent of the non-Federal landowner.
- (b) **Application of other laws—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) may [enter](/usc/7/7702.md?p=3) into agreements under this section with [weed management entities](/usc/7/7781.md?p=2) notwithstanding sections [6301](/usc/31/6301.md) through [6309](/usc/31/6309.md) of title 31 and other laws relating to the procurement of goods and services for the Federal Government.
- (c) **Eligible activities—** Activities carried out under an agreement under this section may include the following:
  - (1) Education, inventories and mapping, management, monitoring, methods development, and other capacity building activities, including the payment of the cost of personnel and equipment that promote control or eradication of [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10).
  - (2) Other activities to control or eradicate [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10).
- (d) **Selection of activities—** Activities funded under this section shall be selected by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) taking into consideration the following:
  - (1) The severity of the [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10) problem or potential problem addressed by the activities.
  - (2) The likelihood that the activity will prevent or resolve the problem, or increase knowledge about resolving similar problems.
  - (3) The extent to which the activity will provide a comprehensive approach to the control or eradication of [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10).
  - (4) The extent to which the program will improve the overall capacity of the [United States](/usc/7/7702.md?p=20) to address [noxious weed](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10) control and management.
  - (5) The extent to which the project promotes cooperation and participation between [States](/usc/7/7702.md?p=17) that have common interests in controlling and eradicating [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10).
  - (6) Other factors that the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) determines to be relevant.
- (e) **Regional, State, and local involvement—** In determining which activities receive funding under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) shall, to the maximum extent practicable—
  - (1) rely on technical and merit reviews provided by regional, [State](/usc/7/7702.md?p=17), or local weed management experts; and
  - (2) give priority to activities that maximize the involvement of [State](/usc/7/7702.md?p=17), local, and, where applicable, representatives of [Indian Tribe](/usc/7/7781.md?p=1) governments.
- (f) **Rapid response program—** At the request of the Governor of a [State](/usc/7/7702.md?p=17), the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) may [enter](/usc/7/7702.md?p=3) into a cooperative agreement with a [weed management entity](/usc/7/7781.md?p=2) in that [State](/usc/7/7702.md?p=17) to enable rapid response to outbreaks of [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10) at a stage which rapid eradication and control is possible and to ensure eradication or immediate control of the [noxious weeds](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10) if—
  - (1) there is a demonstrated need for the assistance;
  - (2) the [noxious weed](/usc/7/7702.md?p=10) is considered to be a significant threat to native fish, wildlife, or their habitats, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16);
  - (3) the economic impact of delaying action is considered by the [Secretary](/usc/7/7702.md?p=16) to be substantial; and
  - (4) the proposed response to such threat—
    - (A) is technically feasible;
    - (B) economically responsible; and
    - (C) minimizes adverse impacts to the structure and function of an ecosystem and adverse effects on nontarget species and ecosystems.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, § 455, as added Pub. L. 108–412, § 1, Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2322.)