116 STAT. 272 PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 "(D) providing services of an agency of the Department of Agriculture to assist councils in developing and carrying out area plans. 16 USC 3452. "SEC. 1529. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. Establishment. "The Secretary shall establish a resource conservation and development program under which the Secretary shall provide technical assistance and financial assistance to councils to develop and carry out area plans and projects in designated areas— "(1) to conserve and improve the use of land, develop natural resources, and improve and enhance the social, economic, and environmental conditions in primarily rural areas of the United States; and "(2) to encourage and improve the capability of State, units of government, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and councils to carry out the purposes described in paragraph (1). 16 USC 3453. "SEC. 1530. SELECTION OF DESIGNATED AREAS. "The Secretary shall select designated areas for assistance under this subtitle on the basis of the elements of area plans. 16 USC 3454. " SEC. 1531. POWERS OF THE SECRETARY. "In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary may— "(1) provide technical assistance to any council to assist in developing and implementing an area plan for a designated area; "(2) cooperate with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, States, local units of government, local Indian tribes, and local nonprofit organizations in conducting surveys and inventories, disseminating information, and developing area plans; "(3) assist in carrying out an area plan approved by the Secretary for any designated area by providing technical assistance and financial assistance to any council; and "(4) enter into agreements with councils in accordance with section 1532. 16 USC 3455. "SEC. 1532. ELIGIBILITY; TERMS AND CONDITIONS. "(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Technical assistance and financial assistance may be provided by the Secretary under this subtitle to any council to assist in carrying out a project specified in an area plan approved by the Secretary only if— "(1) the council agrees in writing— "(A) to carry out the project; and "(B) to finance or arrange for financing of any portion of the cost of carrying out the project for which financial assistance is not provided by the Secretary under this subtitle; "(2) the project is included in an area plan and is approved by the council; "(3) the Secretary determines that assistance is necessary to carry out the area plan; "(4) the project provided for in the area plan is consistent with any comprehensive plan for the area; "(5) the cost of the land or an interest in the land acquired or to be acquired under the plan by any State, local unit of government, Indian tribe, or local nonprofit organization
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