[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1491]

[Page 732-733]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XIV--COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1491--FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A--General Provisions
 
Sec.  1491.7  Funding priorities.

    (a) NRCS will only consider funding the acquisition of eligible land 
in the Program if the agricultural viability of the land can be 
demonstrated. For example, the land must be of sufficient size and have 
boundaries that allow for efficient management of the area. The land 
must also have access to markets for its products and a support 
infrastructure appropriate for agricultural production.
    (b) NRCS may not fund the acquisition of eligible lands if NRCS 
determines that the protection provided by the FRPP would not be 
effective because of on-site or off-site conditions.
    (c) NRCS will place a higher priority on easements acquired by 
entities that

[[Page 733]]

have extensive experience in managing and enforcing easements.
    (d) During the application period, pending offers having appraisals 
completed and signed by State-certified general appraisers within the 
preceding one year shall receive higher funding priority by the NRCS 
State Conservationist. Before funding is released for easement 
acquisition, the cooperating entity must provide NRCS with a copy of the 
certified appraisal.
    (e) NRCS may place a higher priority on lands and locations that 
help create a large tract of protected area for viable agricultural 
production and that are under increasing urban development pressure(s).
    (f) NRCS may place a higher priority on lands and locations that 
link to other Federal, Tribal, or State governments or non-governmental 
organization efforts with complementary farmland protection objectives 
(e.g. open space, watershed and wildlife habitat protection).
    (g) NRCS may place a higher priority on lands that provide 
multifunctional benefits including social, economic, historical and 
archaeological, and environmental benefits.
    (h) NRCS may place a higher priority on certain geographic regions 
where the enrollment of particular lands may help achieve National, 
State, and regional goals and objectives, or enhance existing government 
or private conservation projects.
    (i) NRCS may place a higher priority on farms or ranches that have 
or will have a greater variety of natural resources protected.
    (j) NRCS may place a higher priority on farms or ranches that have a 
farm succession plan or similar plan established to encourage farm 
viability for future generations.
    (k) NRCS may place a higher priority on the national ranking 
criteria listed in Sec.  1491.6(a)(1) than State criteria, if the NRCS 
Chief deems appropriate.