12 2 STA T . 1 794PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 24 6—J U NE 1 8, 2008 ‘ ‘ (C)Adescript i on o f t h e ag ric ul tural w ater enhance -m ent o bj ecti v es to be achieved through the partnership . ‘‘( D ) A description of the partners collaborating to achieve the project objectives and the roles , responsibilities, and capabilities of each partner. ‘‘( E ) A description of the program resources, including pa y ments the S ecretary is re q uested to ma k e. ‘‘( F ) Such other such elements as the Secretary con- siders necessary to adequately evaluate and competitively select applications for partnership agreements. ‘‘( 3 )D UTIESOFPAR T N ERS. — A partner under a partnership agreement shall— ‘‘(A) identify producers participating in the project and act on their behalf in applying for the program
‘‘( B ) leverage funds provided by the Secretary with additional funds to help achieve project objectives; ‘‘(C) conduct monitoring and evaluation of project effects; and ‘‘(D) at the conclusion of the project, report to the Secretary on project results. ‘‘(d) A G RI C U L TURAL W ATER EN H ANCE M ENT ACTI V ITIES BYP RO- D UCERS.— T he Secretary shall select agricultural water enhance- ment activities proposed by producers according to applicable requirements under the environmental quality incentives program. ‘‘(e) AGRICULTURAL WATER ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES BY PART- NERS.— ‘‘( 1 ) COMPETITIVE PROCESS.—The Secretary shall conduct a competitive process to select partners. I n carrying out the process, the Secretary shall make public the criteria used in evaluating applications. ‘‘( 2 ) AUTHORITY TO GIVE PRIORITY TO CERTAIN PROPOSALS.— The Secretary may give a higher priority to proposals from partners that— ‘‘(A) include high percentages of agricultural land and producers in a region or other appropriate area; ‘‘(B) result in high levels of applied agricultural water quality and water conservation activities; ‘‘(C) significantly enhance agricultural activity; ‘‘(D) allow for monitoring and evaluation; and ‘‘(E) assist producers in meeting a regulatory require- ment that reduces the economic scope of the producer ’ s operation. ‘‘(3) PRIORITY TO PROPOSALS FROM STATES W ITH WATER Q UANTITY CONCERNS.—The Secretary shall give a higher pri- ority to proposals from partners that— ‘‘(A) include the conversion of agricultural land from irrigated farming to dryland farming; ‘‘(B) leverage Federal funds provided under the pro- gram with funds provided by partners; and ‘‘(C) assist producers in States with water quantity concerns, as determined by the Secretary. ‘‘( 4 ) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall— ‘‘(A) accept qualified applications— ‘‘(i) directly from partners applying on behalf of producers; or Public i nformat ion .Rep ort s .
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