[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR625.7]

[Page 449]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 625_HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 625.7  Enrollment of easements.

    (a) Offers of enrollment. Based on the priority ranking, NRCS will 
notify an affected landowner of tentative acceptance into the program 
for which the landowner has 15 calendar days to sign a letter of intent 
to continue.
    (b) Effect of letter of intent to continue (enrollment). An offer of 
tentative acceptance into the program does not bind NRCS or the United 
States to acquire an easement, nor does it bind the landowner to convey 
an easement or agree to HFRP restoration plan activities. However, 
receipt of an executed letter of intent to continue will authorize NRCS 
to proceed with easement acquisition activities and the land will be 
considered enrolled into HFRP.
    (c) Acceptance of offer of enrollment. An option agreement to 
purchase will be presented by NRCS to the landowner, which will describe 
the easement area; the easement terms and conditions; and other terms 
and conditions for participation that may be required by NRCS.
    (d) Effect of the acceptance of the offer. After the option 
agreement to purchase is executed by NRCS and the landowner, NRCS will 
proceed with the remaining activities necessary for NRCS to purchase an 
easement, which may include conducting a survey of the easement area, 
securing necessary subordination agreements, procuring title insurance, 
and conducting other activities necessary to record the easement or 
implement the HFRP restoration plan. If the landowner breaches an option 
agreement to purchase, NRCS is entitled to recover any costs, including 
administrative or technical costs, expended in reliance of the option 
agreement to purchase.
    (e) Withdrawal of offers. Prior to execution and recordation by the 
United States and the landowner of the easement, NRCS may withdraw its 
offer anytime due to availability of funds, inability to clear title, or 
other reasons. The offer to the landowner shall be void if not executed 
by the landowner within the time specified.