[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: 7CFR652.1]

[Page 455-456]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 652--TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDER ASSISTANCE--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A--General Provisions
 
Sec. 652.1  Definitions.


    The following definitions apply to this part and all documents 
issued in accordance with this part, unless specified otherwise:
    Approved list means the list of individuals, private sector 
entities, or public agencies certified by the State Conservationist in 
each State to provide technical services to a program participant or to 
the Department.
    Chief means the Chief of NRCS or designee.
    Certification means the action taken by NRCS to approve:
    (1) An individual as meeting the minimum NRCS criteria for providing 
technical service for conservation planning or a specific conservation 
practice or system; or
    (2) An entity or public agency as having an employee or employees 
that meet the minimum NRCS criteria for providing technical service for 
conservation planning or a specific conservation practice or system.

[[Page 456]]

    Conservation practice means a specified treatment, such as a 
structural or vegetative practice, or a land management practice, that 
is planned and applied according to NRCS standards and specifications.
    Contract means the same as that term is defined in the Federal 
Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act, 31 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.
    Contribution agreement means the acquisition of technical services 
entered into under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 6962a.
    Cooperative agreement means the same as that term is defined in the 
Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act, 31 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.
    Department means the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the 
Farm Service Agency, or any other agency or instrumentality of the 
United States Department of Agriculture that is assigned responsibility 
for all or a part of a conservation program subject to this part.
    Entity means a corporation, joint stock company, association, 
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability 
company, nonprofit organization, a member of a joint venture, or a 
member of a similar organization.
    Program participant or participant means a person who is eligible to 
receive technical or financial assistance under a conservation program 
covered by this rule.
    Public agency means a unit or subdivision of Federal, State, local, 
or Tribal government, other than the Department.
    Recommending organization means a professional organization, 
association, licensing board or similar organization with which NRCS has 
entered into an agreement to recommend qualified individuals for NRCS 
certification as technical service providers for specific technical 
services.
    Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Agriculture.
    State Conservationist means the NRCS employee authorized to direct 
and supervise NRCS activities in a State, the Caribbean Area, or the 
Pacific Basin Area.
    Technical service means the technical assistance provided by 
technical service providers, including conservation planning, and/or the 
design, layout, and installation of approved conservation practices.
    Technical service provider means an individual, entity, or public 
agency certified by the State Conservationist and placed on the approved 
list to provide technical services to program participants or to the 
Department.