7 U.S.C. § 6936: Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Secretary is authorized to establish and maintain within the Department a Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Water Bank Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.). Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), except subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of such title [ 16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.]. Salinity control measures under section 1592(c) of title 43 . The Farms for the Future Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 4201 note; Public Law 101–624 ). Such other functions as the Secretary considers appropriate, except functions 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.). acting on the recommendations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, with the concurrence of the Farm Service Agency, issue regulations to carry out such programs; ensure that the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in establishing policies, priorities, and guidelines for each such program, does so with the concurrence of the Farm Service Agency at national, State, and local levels; ensure that, in reaching such concurrence at the local level, the Natural Resources Conservation Service works in cooperation with Soil and Water Conservation Districts or similar organizations established under State law; ensure that officials of county and area committees established under section 590h(b)(5) of title 16 meet annually with officials of such Districts or similar organizations to consider local conservation priorities and guidelines; and take steps to ensure that the concurrence process does not interfere with the effective delivery of such programs. In the implementation of functions assigned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Secretary may use interchangeably in local offices of the Service both Federal employees of the Department and non-Federal employees of county and area committees established under section 590h(b)(5) of title 16 . Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no personnel action (as defined in section 2302(a)(2)(A) of title 5 ) may be taken with respect to a Federal employee unless such action is taken by another Federal employee. A reference to the “Natural Resources Conservation Service” includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Natural Resources Conservation Service under this section. A reference to the “Farm Service Agency” includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Farm Service Agency under section 6932 of this title . The Secretary shall not close any field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service unless, not later than 30 days before the date of the closure, the Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the closure. The Secretary shall not permanently relocate any field-based employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural development mission area if doing so would result in a field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural development mission area with 2 or fewer employees, unless, not later than 30 days before the date of the permanent relocation, the Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the permanent relocation. The requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2023 . $1,000,000,000 to provide conservation technical assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and $300,000,000 to carry out a program to quantify carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions, through which the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall collect field-based data to assess the carbon sequestration and reduction in carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions outcomes associated with activities carried out pursuant to this section and use the data to monitor and track those carbon sequestration and emissions trends through the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Assessment Program of the Department of Agriculture. that is for a term extending beyond September 30, 2031 ; or under which any payment could be outlaid or funds disbursed after September 30, 2031 ; use any other funds available to the Secretary to satisfy obligations initially made under this section; or interpret this section to authorize funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation for activities under this section if such funds are not expressly authorized or currently expended for such purposes. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $100,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2028 , for administrative costs of the agencies and offices of the Department of Agriculture for costs related to implementing this section.”