[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR614.203]

[Page 364]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 614--APPEAL PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart C--Appeals of Decisions Related to Conservation Programs (non-
                               Title XII)
 
Sec. 614.203  Mediation of adverse final decisions.

    (a) Any dispute with respect to an adverse final decision related to 
the programs provided in Sec. 614.200 shall, at the request of the 
landowner or program, be mediated:
    (1) Through certified individual in those States where a State 
Mediation Program has been established. Conservation district officials 
in certified State Mediation Program States may become certified by the 
State and utilized for mediation, if they choose to participate.
    (2) In States where no certified mediation program is in effect, 
through mediation by a qualified representative of a local conservation 
district, if a local conservation district chooses to participate. Upon 
mutual agreement of the parties, other individuals may serve as 
mediators.
    (b)(1) The parties shall have not more than 30 days to reach an 
agreement following a mediation session. The mediator shall notify the 
designated conservationist in writing at the end of this period whether 
the parties reached an agreement.
    (2) Any agreement reached during, or as a result of, the mediation 
process shall conform to the statutory, regulatory, and manual 
provisions governing the program.
    (3) If the parties fail to reach an agreement within the specified 
period, the designated conservationist shall have up to 30 days after 
the conclusion of mediation to issue a final decision.