Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 116 Part 1.djvu/278

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116 STAT. 252 PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 16 USC 3831 (b) STUDY ON ECONOMIC EFFECTS.— note. (1) IN GENERAL. —Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the economic and social effects on rural communities resulting from the conservation reserve program established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.). (2) COMPONENTS. —The study under paragraph (1) shall include analyses of— (A) the impact that enrollments in the conservation reserve program have on rural businesses, civic organizations, and community services (such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure), particularly in communities with a large percentage of whole farm enrollments; (B) the effect that those enrollments have on rural population and beginning farmers (including a description of any connection between the rate of enrollment and the incidence of absentee ownership); (C)(i) the manner in which differential per acre pay- ment rates potentially impact the types of land (by productivity) enrolled; (ii) changes to the per acre payment rates that may affect that impact; and (iii) the manner in which differential per acre payment rates could facilitate retention of productive agricultural land in agriculture; and (D) the effect of enrollment on opportunities for recreational activities (including hunting and fishing). Subtitle C—Wetlands Reserve Program SEC. 2201. REAUTHORIZATION. Section 1237(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837(c)) is amended by striking "2002" and inserting "2007". SEC. 2202. ENROLLMENT. Section 1237 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837) is amended— (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: " (b) ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS. — "(1) MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT. —The total number of acres enrolled in the wetlands reserve program shall not exceed 2,275,000 acres, of which, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall enroll 250,000 acres in each calendar year. "(2) METHODS OF ENROLLMENT.—The Secretary shall enroll acreage into the wetlands reserve program through the use of permanent easements, 30-year easements, restoration cost share agreements, or any combination of those options."; and (2) by striking subsection (g). SEC. 2203. EASEMENTS AND AGREEMENTS. Section 1237A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837a) is amended by striking subsection (h).