2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Updated April 06, 2009

Introduction To 2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Program Rules

Under the Administrative Procedures Act provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553, an agency must provide the public the opportunity to submit written comments in response to the issuance of a new rule, leading to a policy change. As required by Public Law No. 107-347, agencies must provide for submission of comments by electronic means and must make available online the comments included in the rulemaking process under 5 U.S.C. 553 (c).

The conservation provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) offer new opportunities to shape our Nation’s landscape through the improved management of our natural resources. Over the coming months, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will release revised program rules based on statutory changes in the 2008 Farm Bill. We will also be developing rules for new conservation programs authorized by the Farm Bill.

There are three kinds of rulemaking documents available from NRCS in PDF format:

A Notice is a document that does not have regulatory text and does not impact a rulemaking proceeding. NRCS publishes notices to announce fund availability, meetings, proposal and application deadlines, and availability of certain environmental impact statements.

A Proposed Rule is a regulatory action issued to inform the public that an agency is proposing a regulation.

An Interim Final Rule is a final rule that is not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, but that provides the public with an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking proceeding after the final rule has been published.
   

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