[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 7, Parts 700 to 899]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR700.5]

[Page 10-14]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
                            CHAPTER VII--FARM
                SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 700--EXPERIMENTAL RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 700.5  Responsibilities.

    (a) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall:
    (1) Administer the RCWP by entering into contracts with land owners 
and operators to install and maintain BMPs to control agricultural 
nonpoint source pollution for improved water quality and:
    (i) Consult with EPA in the selection of projects;
    (ii) Obtain concurrence from EPA in approval of BMPs; and
    (iii) Insure an adequate joint USDA/EPA monitoring and evaluation 
plan is carried out on selected projects.
    (2) Provide technical assistance and share the cost of carrying out 
BMPs as specified in the contracts.
    (3) Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program in improving 
water quality.
    (b) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will:
    (1) Participate on the NCC, SCC and LCC.
    (2) Furnish information from the water quality management planning 
process which can assist in identifying areas with the most critical 
water quality problems for project applications.
    (3) Participate in the approval of project applications for funding.
    (4) Concur with the Secretary on BMPs recommended by the County and 
State ASC Committees and approved by the Secretary for funding, or 
recommended by the Secretary, with concurrence of the Administrator, 
EPA, and approved by the State and County ASC Committees.
    (5) Assist USDA in evaluating the effectiveness of the program in 
improving water quality, including concurrence on projects selected for 
comprehensive monitoring and evaluation and development of the criteria 
for the comprehensive, joint USDA/EPA water quality monitoring, 
evaluation, and analysis program.
    (c) The Farm Service Agency shall:
    (1) Serve as chairperson of the NCC, SCC and LCC and be responsible 
for developing and administering the RCWP.
    (2) Provide to the Secretary those project applications recommended 
for approval, including the recommendations of the NCC.
    (3) Through County FSA Offices, provide the administrative support 
in all approved RCWP projects, such as accepting applications, preparing 
and approving contracts, carrying out funds control, issuing cost-share 
payments, otherwise administering contracts and payments, provide 
compliance oversight, maintain records and develop reports.
    (4) Enter into agreements with Federal, State and local agencies and 
others as needed for support to be provided in an approved RCWP project.

[[Page 11]]

    (5) Through County and Community ASC Committees work with landowners 
and operators in the project area to encourage participation.
    (6) Develop cost-share rates for installing needed BMPs.
    (7) Assure that RCWP is in addition to and is coordinated with other 
related programs.
    (8) Provide guidance to State and County ASC Committees and 
coordinate the Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP), the Forestry 
Incentives Program (FIP), and related conservation programs, with RCWP.
    (9) Allocate project funds to County ASC Committees in the approved 
project areas.
    (10) Designate the State ASC Chairperson where a project area 
involves a part(s) of two or more States to chair the SCC, for that 
project.
    (d) The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) shall:
    (1) Participate on the NCC, SCC and LCC.
    (2) Coordinate technical assistance and recommend appropriate agency 
or group to provide technical assistance on a project by project basis.
    (3) Provide technical assistance for the appropriate BMPs.
    (4) Assist the LCC in developing criteria for use by the County ASC 
Committees and the Conservation Districts in determining priorities of 
assistance among individual applicants for developing the water quality 
plan.
    (5) Provide technical assistance in developing and certifying the 
technical adequacy of the participant's water quality plan.
    (e) The Forest Service (FS) shall:
    (1) Participate on the NCC and as appropriate, SCC and LCC.
    (2) Have technical responsibility for forestry.
    (3) Provide technical assistance for appropriate BMPs, by providing 
technical assistance through the State Forestry Agency (State Forester 
as appropriate) for planning, applying and maintaining forestry BMPs.
    (4) Participate in the monitoring and evaluation as appropriate.
    (5) As appropriate, assist in developing the water quality plan to 
assure that the most critical water quality problems are addressed.
    (f) The Science and Education Administration (SEA), through the 
State and County Extension Services, Appropriate, shall:
    (1) Participate on the NCC, SCC and LCC.
    (2) Develop, implement, and coordinate informational and educational 
programs for agricultural nonpoint source water pollution control.
    (3) Encourage the State and County Extension Services to develop and 
carry out a comprehensive educational and informational program.
    (4) Provide technical assistance for appropriate BMPs including, but 
not limited to, fertilizer management, pest management, conservation 
tillage, and animal waste as appropriate.
    (g) The Economics and Statistics Service (ESS) shall:
    (1) Participate on the NCC and as appropriate, SCC and LCC.
    (2) Assist in the economic evaluation of RCWP projects and BMPs.
    (3) Make data available from existing and planned ESS surveys 
relating to water quality and related matters.
    (4) Conduct socioeconomic research, within ESS authorities and 
funds, on relevant policy and program issues pertinent to RCWP.
    (5) Assist in the annual program evaluation and be responsible for 
the economic component of the comprehensive evaluation of selected 
projects.
    (h) The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) shall:
    (1) Participate on the NCC, SCC and LCC.
    (2) Provide assistance and coordinate their farm loan and grant 
programs with RCWP.
    (3) Assist in the annual program evaluation.
    (i) The National Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committee (NCC). The 
NCC is chaired by the Administrator, FSA. Other members of the National 
Committee are Director, Office of Environmental Quality, the 
Administrators of, FmHA, and ESS: the Chief of FS, SCS; the Director of 
SEA; and the Assistant Administrator for Water and Waste Management, 
EPA. Nonfederal agencies such as Conservation Districts, State soil and 
water conservation agencies, State water quality management agencies, 
and other organizations

[[Page 12]]

may attend as observers. The duties of the NCC are to:
    (1) Assist the Administrator, FSA, in developing the program 
regulations and procedures.
    (2) Recommend to the Administrator, FSA, the project applications to 
be approved.
    (3) Advise the Secretary on the maximum Federal contribution to the 
total cost of the project and establish the maximum cost-share levels of 
BMPs.
    (4) Assist in coordinating individual agency programs with the RCWP.
    (5) Make recommendations as appropriate on the technical aspects of 
the program.
    (6) Recommend project areas and criteria for comprehensive joint 
USDA/EPA water quality monitoring, evaluation, and analysis.
    (7) Annually review the plans of work and recommend changes in the 
projects.
    (8) Annually review the progress in each project and periodically 
advise the Secretary, the Under Secretary for International Affairs and 
Commodity Programs, and Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources and 
the Environment on program and policy issues.
    (j) The State Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committee (SCC). The 
SCC is chaired by the STC chairperson. Members include a representative 
of the agency members on the NCC or their designee. Other members are 
the State water quality agency having responsibility for the water 
quality management program, the State soil and water conservation 
agency, the State Director, Cooperative Extension Service, and others, 
including those recommended by the Governor, and approved by the 
Chairperson of SCC. Other State and local agencies, and organizations, 
or individuals may attend as observers. The duties of the committee are 
to:
    (1) Submit its recommendations for approval of project 
application(s) to the State ASC Committee for forwarding to the NCC, 
through the Administrator, FSA.
    (2) Insure that each project application referred to the state ASC 
committee includes a water quality monitoring plan which specifies the 
organization(s) responsible for general monitoring, including cost and 
budget breakdown by organization(s).
    (3) Assure coordination of activities at the project level by 
assisting in determining the composition and responsibilities of the 
LCC.
    (4) Assure adequate public participation, including public 
meeting(s), and appropriate environmental evaluation in the preparation 
of RCWP applications.
    (5) Provide oversight for the RCWP in the State and to assist USDA 
and EPA in their comprehensive, joint water quality monitoring and 
evaluation of selected project areas, including coordination with the 
LCC.
    (6) Develop procedures for coordination between the RCWP and other 
water quality programs.
    (7) Assist the State ASC Committee in developing the membership of 
the LCC. For multi county projects, there will be one LCC.
    (8) Annually review and approve the plan(s) of work and changes 
proposed by the LCC and forward a copy to the NCC through the 
administrator, FSA.
    (k) The Local Rural Clean Water Coordinating Committee (LCC). The 
LCC is chaired by the County ASC Committee Chairperson. Other members 
include a representative of the agency members on the NCC, or their 
designee, where applicable, and a representative of the soil and water 
conservation district, the designated water quality management agency, 
State forestry agency, the Director, County Extension Service, and 
others recommended by the LCC and approved by the STC. (Where more than 
one county is in a project area only one LCC will be established in the 
project area.) The duties of the committee are to ensure that a process 
exists and actions are taken to implement any approved project. The 
duties will include, among others which may be outlined by the SCC, the 
following:
    (1) Assure an adequate level of public participation in implementing 
the project.
    (2) Provide project coordination, including development of the plan 
of work for implementing the approved project using various USDA 
agencies, local agencies and interested groups.
    (i) Enlist resources from other agencies and local groups.

[[Page 13]]

    (ii) Conduct informational and educational activities relating to 
the project.
    (iii) Develop criteria with the SCC for use by the County ASC 
Committee and the soil conservation district to establish priorities 
among individual applications for developing water quality plans.
    (iv) Assure the development of an adequate plan for project 
monitoring and evaluation.
    (3) Consult with SCC for coordination with USDA State officials, 
State water quality official, and EPA regional representatives to 
develop criteria for project plan of work and project coordination.
    (4) Review the project Plan of Work annually and recommend changes 
in the approved project to the SCC.
    (l) State ASC Committee shall:
    (1) Provide the chairperson for the SCC and be responsible for 
administration of the RCWP project(s) in the State.
    (2) Submit those project applications recommended by the SCC to the 
Administrator, FSA.
    (3) Provide overall administrative support for the RCWP through the 
County ASC Committee(s).
    (4) Designate a County ASC Committee Chairperson to serve as 
Chairperson of the LCC in multi-county projects.
    (5) Approve the BMPs for inclusion in project applications.
    (6) Be responsible for all other administrative functions as 
provided in these regulations.
    (m) The Governor of each State, at the Governor's option, may:
    (1) Recommend to the SCC Chairperson appropriate additional 
individuals for membership on the SCC.
    (2) Furnish to the SCC a listing of the water quality priority areas 
in the State which are to be used by the SCCs and LCCs in considering 
and developing project applications.
    (n) the State soil and water conservation agency will:
    (1) Participate on the SCC.
    (2) Assist in preparing and submitting RCWP project applications.
    (3) Carry out responsibilities of soil conservation districts, 
including participation on the LCC, where no soil conservation district 
exists.
    (o) The State water quality agency will:
    (1) Participate on the SCC.
    (2) Provide expertise in preparing RCWP project applications.
    (3) Assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the 
water quality projects.
    (p) The County ASC Committee shall:
    (1) Be responsible for administration of the RCWP at the local 
level.
    (2) Provide the chairperson of the LCC.
    (3) Provide overall administrative support for the RCWP approved 
project through the FSA County Office, including accepting applications, 
administering the contracts and making payments and preparing reports.
    (4) Recommend approval of BMP's.
    (5) Together with the Soil Conservation District, determine the 
priority for technical assistance among individual applicants for water 
quality plans bases on criteria developed by the LCC to assure that the 
most critical water quality problems are addressed.
    (6) Establish the recommended cost share level for BMP's in the RCWP 
project applications in consultation with the LCC.
    (7) Utilize the Community ASC Committee(s) and LCC in encouraging 
farmers in the project area to install needed BMPs on the priority basis 
developed by the LCC.
    (8) Be responsible for developing, and annually reviewing, and 
carrying out the plan of work for the approved project.
    (q) The Soil Conservation District will:
    (1) Participate on the LCC.
    (2) Assist in the preparation and submission of applications for the 
RCWP.
    (3) Assist in the promotion of the approved RCWP project.
    (4) Together with the County ASC Committee, determine the priority 
of technical assistance among individual applicants for water quality 
plans based on criteria developed by the LCC to assure that the most 
critical water quality problems are addressed.

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    (5) Approve applicants' water quality plans and revisions.

[45 FR 14009, Mar. 4, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 29454, June 2, 1981; 59 
FR 60299, Nov. 23, 1994]