[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: 7CFR658.3]

[Page 475-476]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 658--FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY ACT--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 658.3  Applicability and exemptions.

    (a) Section 1540(b) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 4201(b), states that the 
purpose of the Act is to minimize the extent to which Federal programs 
contribute to the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to 
nonagricultural uses. Conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses 
does not include the construction of on-farm structures necessary for 
farm operations. Federal agencies can obtain assistance from USDA in 
determining whether a proposed location or site meets the Act's 
definition of farmland. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS) field office serving the area will provide the assistance. Many 
State or local government planning offices can also provide this 
assistance.
    (b) Acquisition or use of farmland by a Federal agency for national 
defense purposes is exempted by section 1547(b) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 
4208(b).
    (c) The Act and these regulations do not authorize the Federal 
Government in any way to regulate the use of private or non-Federal 
land, or in any way affect the property rights of owners of such land. 
In cases where either a private party or a non-Federal unit of 
government applies for Federal assistance to convert farmland to a 
nonagricultural use, the Federal agency should use the criteria set 
forth in this part to identify and take into account any adverse effects 
on farmland of the assistance requested and develop alternative actions 
that would avoid or mitigate such adverse effects. If, after 
consideration of the adverse effects and suggested alternatives, the 
landowners want to proceed with conversion, the Federal agency, on the 
basis of the analysis set forth in Sec. 658.4 and any agency policies or 
procedures for implementing the Act, may provide or deny the requested 
assistance. Only assistance and actions that would convert farmland to 
nonagricultural uses are subject to this Act. Assistance and actions 
related to the purchase, maintenance, renovation, or replacement of 
existing structures and sites converted prior to the time of an 
application for assistance from a Federal agency, including assistance 
and actions related to the construction of minor new ancillary 
structures (such as garages or sheds), are not subject to the Act.
    (d) Section 1548 of the Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 4209, states that 
the Act

[[Page 476]]

shall not be deemed to provide a basis for any action, either legal or 
equitable, by any person or class of persons challenging a Federal 
project, program, or other activity that may affect farmland. Neither 
the Act nor this rule, therefore, shall afford any basis for such an 
action. However, as further provided in section 1548, the governor of an 
affected state, where a state policy or program exists to protect 
farmland, may bring an action in the Federal district court of the 
district where a Federal program is proposed to enforce the requirements 
of section 1541 of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 4202, and regulations issued 
pursuant to that section.

[49 FR 27724, July 5, 1984, as amended at 59 FR 31117, June 17, 1994]