[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1466.21]

[Page 688-689]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XIV--COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1466_ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart B_Contracts and Payments
 
Sec. 1466.21  Contract requirements.

    (a) In order for a participant to receive cost-share or incentive 
payments, the participant must enter into a contract agreeing to 
implement one or more conservation practices. Cost-share payments and 
incentive payments as well as reimbursement for Technical Service 
Provider technical assistance may be included in a contract.
    (b) An EQIP contract will:
    (1) Identify all conservation practices to be implemented, the 
timing of practice installation, the operation and maintenance 
requirements for the practices, and applicable cost-shares and incentive 
payments allocated to the practices under the contract;
    (2) Be for a minimum duration of one year after completion of the 
last practice, but not more than 10 years;
    (3) Incorporate all provisions as required by law or statute, 
including requirements that the participant will:
    (i) Not implement any practices on the farm or ranch unit under the 
contract, or agricultural operation of the

[[Page 689]]

producer for ground and surface water conservation contracts, that would 
tend to defeat the purposes of the program;
    (ii) Refund any program payments received with interest, and forfeit 
any future payments under the program, on the violation of a term or 
condition of the contract, consistent with the provisions of Sec. 
1466.26;
    (iii) Refund all program payments received on the transfer of the 
right and interest of the producer in land subject to the contract, 
unless the transferee of the right and interest agrees to assume all 
obligations of the contract, consistent with the provisions of Sec. 
1466.25;
    (iv) Implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan when the 
EQIP contract includes a waste storage or waste treatment facility; and
    (v) Supply information as may be required by NRCS to determine 
compliance with the contract and requirements of the program.
    (4) Specify the participant's requirements for operation and 
maintenance of the applied conservation practices consistent with the 
provisions of Sec. 1466.22; and
    (5) Specify any other provision determined necessary or appropriate 
by NRCS.
    (c) The participant must start at least one financially assisted 
practice within the first 12 months of signing a contract. If a 
participant, for reasons beyond their control, is unable to start a 
practice within the first year of the contract, they can request a 
waiver from the State Conservationist.
    (d) Each contract will be limited to no more than $450,000.