<section xmlns="http://xml.house.gov/schemas/uslm/1.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" style="-uslm-lc:I80" id="idf2b59044-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997"><num value="1997">§ 1997.</num><heading> Conservation easements</heading><subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b59045-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/a"><num value="a" class="bold">(a)</num><heading class="bold"> Definitions</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">For purposes of this section:</chapeau><paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59046-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/a/1"><num value="1">(1)</num><content> The term “governmental entity” means any agency of the United States, a State, or a unit of local government of a State.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59047-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/a/2"><num value="2">(2)</num><content> The terms “highly erodible land” and “wetland” have the meanings, respectively, that such terms are given in <ref href="/us/usc/t16/s3801">section 3801 of title 16</ref>.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59048-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/a/3"><num value="3">(3)</num><content> The term “wildlife” means fish or wildlife as defined in <ref href="/us/usc/t16/s3371">section 3371 of title 16</ref>.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59049-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/a/4"><num value="4">(4)</num><content> The term “recreational purposes” includes hunting.</content>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b5904a-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/b"><num value="b" class="bold">(b)</num><heading class="bold"> Contracts on loan security properties</heading><content><p style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary may enter into a contract related to real property for conservation, recreation, or wildlife purposes.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b5904b-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/c"><num value="c" class="bold">(c)</num><heading class="bold"> Limitations</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">The Secretary may enter into a contract under subsection (b) if—</chapeau><paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5904c-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/c/1"><num value="1">(1)</num><content> such property is wetland, upland, or highly erodible land;</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5904d-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/c/2"><num value="2">(2)</num><content> such property is determined by the Secretary to be suitable for the purposes involved; and</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5904e-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/c/3"><num value="3">(3)</num><subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5904f-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/c/3/A"><num value="A">(A)</num><content> such property secures any loan made under any law administered by the Secretary and held by the Secretary; and</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59050-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/c/3/B"><num value="B">(B)</num><content> such contract better enables a qualified borrower to repay the loan in a timely manner, as determined by the Secretary.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b59051-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/d"><num value="d" class="bold">(d)</num><heading class="bold"> Terms and conditions</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">The terms and conditions specified in each such contract shall—</chapeau><paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59052-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/d/1"><num value="1">(1)</num><content> specify the purposes for which such real property may be used;</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59053-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/d/2"><num value="2">(2)</num><content> identify the conservation measures to be taken, and the recreational and wildlife uses to be allowed, with respect to such real property; and</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59054-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/d/3"><num value="3">(3)</num><content> require such owner to permit the Secretary, and any person or governmental entity designated by the Secretary, to have access to such real property for the purpose of monitoring compliance with such contract.</content>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b59055-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e"><num value="e" class="bold">(e)</num><heading class="bold"> Purchase; limitation upon cancellation or prepayment</heading><paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0" id="idf2b59056-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e/1"><num value="1">(1)</num><chapeau> Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may reduce or forgive the outstanding debt of a borrower—</chapeau><subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59057-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e/1/A"><num value="A">(A)</num><content> in the case of a borrower to whom the Secretary has made one or more outstanding loans under laws administered by the Secretary, by canceling that part of the aggregate amount of such outstanding loans that bears the same ratio to such aggregate amount as the number of acres of the real property of the borrower that are subject to the contract bears to the aggregate number of acres securing such loans; or</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b59058-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e/1/B"><num value="B">(B)</num><content> in any other case, by treating as prepaid that part of the principal amount of a new loan to the borrower issued and held by the Secretary under a law administered by the Secretary that bears the same ratio to such principal amount as the number of acres of the real property of the borrower that are subject to the contract bears to the aggregate number of acres securing the new loan.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0" id="idf2b59059-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e/2"><num value="2">(2)</num><chapeau> The amount so canceled or treated as prepaid pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not exceed—</chapeau><subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5905a-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e/2/A"><num value="A">(A)</num><content> in the case of a delinquent loan, the value of the land on which the contract is entered into or the difference between the amount of the outstanding loan secured by the land and the value of the land, whichever is greater; or</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5905b-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/e/2/B"><num value="B">(B)</num><content> in the case of a nondelinquent loan, 33 percent of the amount of the loan secured by the land.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b5905c-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/f"><num value="f" class="bold">(f)</num><heading class="bold"> Consultations with Director of Fish and Wildlife Service</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">If the Secretary elects to use the authority provided by this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service for purposes of—</chapeau><paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5905d-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/f/1"><num value="1">(1)</num><content> selecting real property in which the Secretary may enter into contracts under this section;</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5905e-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/f/2"><num value="2">(2)</num><content> formulating the terms and conditions of such contracts; and</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-lc:I12" class="indent1" id="idf2b5905f-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/f/3"><num value="3">(3)</num><content> enforcing such contracts.</content>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-lc:I19" class="indent2 firstIndent-2" id="idf2b59060-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c" identifier="/us/usc/t7/s1997/g"><num value="g" class="bold">(g)</num><heading class="bold"> Enforcement</heading><content><p style="-uslm-lc:I11" class="indent0">The Secretary, and any person or governmental entity designated by the Secretary, may enforce a contract entered into by the Secretary under this section.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<sourceCredit id="idf2b59061-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c">(<ref href="/us/pl/87/128/tIII/s349">Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 349</ref>, as added <ref href="/us/pl/99/198/tXIII/s1318/a">Pub. L. 99–198, title XIII, § 1318(a)</ref>, <date date="1985-12-23">Dec. 23, 1985</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/99/1530">99 Stat. 1530</ref>; amended <ref href="/us/pl/100/233/tVI/s612">Pub. L. 100–233, title VI, § 612</ref>, <date date="1988-01-06">Jan. 6, 1988</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/101/1674">101 Stat. 1674</ref>; <ref href="/us/pl/101/624/tXVIII/s1815">Pub. L. 101–624, title XVIII, § 1815</ref>, title XXIII, § 2388(j), <date date="1990-11-28">Nov. 28, 1990</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/104/3825">104 Stat. 3825</ref>, 4053; <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/tVI/s642">Pub. L. 104–127, title VI, § 642</ref>, <date date="1996-04-04">Apr. 4, 1996</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/110/1102">110 Stat. 1102</ref>; <ref href="/us/pl/117/243/s2/b/1">Pub. L. 117–243, § 2(b)(1)</ref>, <date date="2022-12-20">Dec. 20, 2022</date>, <ref href="/us/stat/136/2336">136 Stat. 2336</ref>.)</sourceCredit>
<notes type="uscNote" id="idf2b59062-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c">
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" role="crossHeading" topic="editorialNotes" id="idf2b59063-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c"><heading class="centered"><b>Editorial Notes</b></heading></note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="amendments" id="idf2b59064-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Amendments</heading><p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">2022—Subsec. (a)(3). <ref href="/us/pl/117/243">Pub. L. 117–243</ref> substituted “section 3371” for “section 3371(a)”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">1996—Subsec. (b). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/1">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(1)</ref>, added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: “Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary may acquire and retain an easement in real property, for a term of not less than 50 years, for conservation, recreational, and wildlife purposes.”</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (c). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/2/A">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(2)(A)</ref>, inserted heading and substituted “The Secretary may enter into a contract under subsection (b) if” for “Such easement may be acquired or retained for real property if”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (c)(2). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/2/B">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(2)(B)</ref>, inserted “and” at end.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (c)(3). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/2/C">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(2)(C)</ref>, struck out “(i)” after “(3)(A)”, substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Farmers Home Administration”, redesignated cl. (ii) of subpar. (A) as subpar. (B), substituted “such contract” for “such easement” and a period for “; or” at end, and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: “such property is administered under this chapter by the Secretary; and”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (c)(4). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/2/D">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(2)(D)</ref>, struck out par. (4) which read as follows: “such property was (except in the case of wetland and other wildlife habitat) row cropped each year of the 3-year period ending on <date date="1985-12-23">December 23, 1985</date>.”</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (d). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/3">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(3)</ref>, substituted “contract” for “easement” in introductory provisions and par. (3).</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (e). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/4">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(4)</ref>, in par. (1), substituted “reduce or forgive the outstanding debt of a borrower” for “purchase any such easement from the borrower” in introductory provisions, in subpars. (A) and (B), substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Farmers Home Administration” and “contract bears” for “easement bears”, and in par. (2)(A), substituted “contract is entered into” for “easement is acquired”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (f). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/5">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(5)</ref>, in par. (1), substituted “enter into contracts” for “acquire easements” and in pars. (2) and (3), substituted “contracts” for “easements”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (g). <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s642/6">Pub. L. 104–127, § 642(6)</ref>, substituted “a contract entered into” for “an easement acquired”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">1990—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). <ref href="/us/pl/101/624/s2388/j">Pub. L. 101–624, § 2388(j)</ref>, redesignated par. (5) as (4).</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (c). <ref href="/us/pl/101/624/s1815/1/A">Pub. L. 101–624, § 1815(1)(A)</ref>–(D), (F), (G), in introductory provision, struck out “such property” after “real property if”, and inserted “such property” after par. (1), (2), (3)(A)(i), (3)(B), and (4) designations.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(ii). <ref href="/us/pl/101/624/s1815/1/E">Pub. L. 101–624, § 1815(1)(E)</ref>, amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “the borrower of such loan is unable, as determined by the Secretary, to repay such loan in a timely manner; or”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (e). <ref href="/us/pl/101/624/s1815/2">Pub. L. 101–624, § 1815(2)</ref>, amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “Any such easement acquired by the Secretary shall be purchased from the borrower involved by canceling that part of the aggregate amount of such outstanding loans of the borrower held by the Secretary under laws administered by the Farmers Home Administration that bears the same ratio to the aggregate amount of the outstanding loans of such borrower held by the Secretary under all such laws as the number of acres of the real property of such borrower that are subject to such easement bears to the aggregate number of acres securing such loans. In no case shall the amount so cancelled exceed the value of the land on which the easement is acquired or the difference between the amount of the outstanding loan secured by the land and the current value of the land, whichever is greater.”</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (h). <ref href="/us/pl/101/624/s1815/9">Pub. L. 101–624, § 1815(9)</ref>, struck out subsec. (h) which read as follows: “This section shall not apply with respect to the cancellation of any part of any loan that was made after <date date="1985-12-25">December 25, 1985</date>.”</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">1988—Subsec. (c)(4). <ref href="/us/pl/100/233/s612/1">Pub. L. 100–233, § 612(1)</ref>, inserted “and other wildlife habitat” after “wetland”.</p>
<p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Subsec. (e). <ref href="/us/pl/100/233/s612/2">Pub. L. 100–233, § 612(2)</ref>, inserted “or the difference between the amount of the outstanding loan secured by the land and the current value of the land, whichever is greater” at end of second sentence.</p>
</note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" role="crossHeading" topic="statutoryNotes" id="idf2b59065-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c"><heading class="centered"><b>Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries</b></heading></note>
<note style="-uslm-lc:I74" topic="effectiveDateOfAmendment" id="idf2b59066-8772-11ed-8f8e-9f5f33484a9c"><heading class="centered smallCaps">Effective Date of 1996 Amendment</heading><p style="-uslm-lc:I21" class="indent0">Amendment by <ref href="/us/pl/104/127">Pub. L. 104–127</ref> effective 90 days after <date date="1996-04-04">Apr. 4, 1996</date>, see <ref href="/us/pl/104/127/s663/b">section 663(b) of Pub. L. 104–127</ref>, set out as a note under <ref href="/us/usc/t7/s1922">section 1922 of this title</ref>.</p>
</note>
</notes>
</section>