95 STAT. 1338
PUBLIC LAW 97-98—DEC. 22, 1981 struction, repair, and improvement of dams and reservoirs, improvement of agricultural water management, and improvement of water quality through control of nonpoint sources of pollution; (C) a community development element, the purpose of which shall be the development of natural resources based industries, protection of rural industries from natural resource hazards, development of aquaculture, development of adequate rural water and waste disposal systems, improvement of recreation facilities, improvement in the quality of rural housing, provision of adequate health and education facilities, and satisfaction of essential transportation and communication needs; or (D) other elements, the purpose of which may include energy conservation or protection of agricultural land, as appropriate, from conversion to other uses, or protection of fish and wildlife habitats. (2) The term "designated area" means a geographic area designated by the Secretary to receive assistance under this subtitle. (3) The term "planning process" means the continuous effort by any State, local unit of government, or local nonprofit organization to develop and carry out effective resource conservation and utilization plans for a designated area, including development of an area plan, goals, objectives, policies, implementation activities, evaluations and reviews, and the opportunity for public participation in such efforts. (4) The term "financial assistance" means the cost-sharing arrangements that are available under this subtitle through Federal contracts, grants, or loans. (5) The term "local unit of government" means any county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general-purpose subdivision of a State, any local or regional special district or other limited political subdivision of a State, including any soil conservation district, school district, park authority, and water or sanitary district, or any Indian tribe or tribal orgemization established under Federal, State, or Indian tribal law. (6) The term "nonprofit organization" means any community association, wildlife group, or resource conservation organization that is incorporated and approved by the Secretary for the purpose of providing to any rural area those public facilities or services included in the area plan for such rural area. (7) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture. (8) The term "State" means the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa. (9) The term "technical assistance" means any service provided by personnel of the Depeurtment of Agriculture or nonFederal personnel working through the Department of Agriculture, including, but not limited to, inventorying, evaluating, planning, designing, supervising, laying out and inspecting works of improvement, and the providing of maps, reports, and other documents associated with the services provided. (10) The term "works of improvement" means the facilities instidled or being installed in accord with an area plan.
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