116 STAT. 226 PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 planted, or devoted to crop production for at least 4 of the 6 years preceding that date (except for land enrolled in the conservation reserve program under subchapter B of chapter 1) or that has been maintained using longterm crop rotation practices, as determined by the Secretary, shall.not be the basis for any payment under the conservation security program. "(4) ECONOMIC USES.— The Secretary shall permit a producer to implement, with respect to all eligible land covered by a conservation security plan, economic uses that— "(A) maintain the agricultural nature of the land; and "(B) are consistent with the natural resource and conservation objectives of the conservation security program. "(c) CONSERVATION SECURITY PLANS. — "(1) IN GENERAL.—^A conservation security plan shall— "(A) identify the designated land and resources to be conserved under the conservation security plan; "(B) describe the tier of conservation security contract, and the particular conservation practices to be implemented, maintained, or improved, in accordance with subsection (d) on the land covered by the conservation security contract for the specified term; and "(C) contain a schedule for the implementation, maintenance, or improvement of the conservation practices described in the conservation security plan during the term of the conservation security contract. "(2) RESOURCE PLANNING. —The Secretary may assist producers that enter into conservation security contracts in developing a comprehensive, long-term strategy for improving and maintaining all natural resources of the agricultural operation of the producer. " (d) CONSERVATION CONTRACTS AND PRACTICES,— " (1) IN GENERAL.— "(A) ESTABLISHMENT OF TIERS. — The Secretary shall establish, and offer to eligible producers, 3 tiers of conservation contracts under which a payment under this subchapter may be received. " (B) ELIGIBLE CONSERVATION PRACTICES. — "(i) IN GENERAL. —The Secretary shall make eligible for payment under a conservation security contract land management, vegetative, and structural practices. " (ii) DETERMINATION.—In determining the eligibility of a practice described in clause (i), the Secretary shall require, to the maximum extent practicable, that the lowest cost alternatives be used to fulfill the purposes of the conservation security plan, as determined by the Secretary. " (2) ON-FARM RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION OR PILOT TESTING.— With respect to land enrolled in the conservation security program, the Secretary may approve a conservation security plan that includes— "(A) on-farm conservation research and demonstration activities; and "(B) pilot testing of new technologies or innovative conservation practices.
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