[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1415.13]

[Page 422-423]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XIV--COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1415_GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  1415.13  Transfer of land.

    (a) Any transfer of the property prior to the participant's 
acceptance into the program shall void the offer of enrollment, unless 
at the option of USDA at the State level, an offer is extended to the 
new participant and the new participant agrees to the same easement or 
rental agreement terms and conditions.
    (b) After acreage is accepted in the program, for easements with 
multiple payments, any remaining easement payments will be made to the 
original landowner unless USDA receives an assignment of proceeds.
    (c) Future annual rental payments will be made to the successor 
participant.
    (d) The new landowner or contract successor is responsible for 
complying with the terms of the recorded easement or rental agreement 
and for assuring completion of all measures and practices required by 
the associated restoration agreement. Eligible cost share payments will 
be made to the new participant upon presentation that the successor 
assumed the costs of establishing the practices.
    (e) With respect to any and all payments owed to landowners, the 
United States bears no responsibility for any full payments or partial 
distributions of funds between the original landowner and the 
landowner's successor. In the event of a dispute or claim on the 
distribution of cost share payments, USDA may withhold payments without 
the accrual of interest pending an agreement or adjudication on the 
rights to the funds.
    (f) The rights granted to the United States in an easement shall 
apply to any of its agents or assigns. All obligations of the landowner 
under the GRP conservation easement deed also binds the landowner's 
heirs, successors, agents, assigns, lessees, and any other person 
claiming under them.
    (g) Rental agreements may be transferred to another landowner, 
operator or tenant that acquires an interest in the land enrolled in 
GRP. The successor must be determined by USDA to be eligible to 
participate in GRP and

[[Page 423]]

must assume full responsibility under the agreement. USDA may require a 
participant to refund all or a portion of any financial assistance 
awarded under GRP, plus interest, if the participant sells or loses 
control of the land under a GRP rental agreement, and the new owner or 
controller is not eligible to participate in the program or declines to 
assume responsibility under the agreement.