US Code

Public Law 119-102 (07/12/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 3839aa–22

Conservation stewardship program

Section text and notes

(a)

Establishment and purpose

During each of fiscal years 2019 through 2031, the Secretary shall carry out a conservation stewardship program to encourage producers to address priority resource concerns and improve and conserve the quality and condition of natural resources in a comprehensive manner—
(1)
by undertaking additional conservation activities; and
(2)
by improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities.
(b)

Exclusions

(1)

Land enrolled in other conservation programs

Subject to paragraph (2), the following land (even if covered by the definition of eligible land) is not eligible for enrollment in the program:
(A)
Land enrolled in the conservation reserve program, unless—
(i)
the conservation reserve contract will expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the land is to be enrolled in the program; and
(ii)
conservation reserve program payments for land enrolled in the program cease before the first program payment is made to the applicant under this subpart.
(B)
Land enrolled in a wetland reserve easement through the agricultural conservation easement program.
(2)

Conversion to cropland

Eligible land used for crop production after , that had not been planted, considered to be planted, or devoted to crop production for at least 4 of the 6 years preceding that date shall not be the basis for any payment under the program, unless the land does not meet such requirement because—
(A)
the land had previously been enrolled in the conservation reserve program;
(B)
the land has been maintained using long-term crop rotation practices, as determined by the Secretary; or
(C)
the land is incidental land needed for efficient operation of the farm or ranch, as determined by the Secretary.

Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1240JPub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2301(a)(2)122 Stat. 1041 Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)122 Stat. 1664 Pub. L. 112–55, div. A, title VII, § 716(b)125 Stat. 582 Pub. L. 113–79, title II, § 2101(a)128 Stat. 722 Pub. L. 115–334, title II132 Stat. 4551 Pub. L. 117–169, title II, § 21001(c)(3)136 Stat. 2017 (, formerly § 1238E, as added , , , and , title II, § 2301(a)(2), , , 1769; amended , , ; , , ; renumbered § 1240J and amended , §§ 2301(b), (d)(1)(C), 2308(b), , , 4554, 4565; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

section 3838e of this titlePub. L. 115–334Section was formerly classified to prior to renumbering by .

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246 and enacted identical sections. was repealed by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–1692022—Subsec. (a). substituted “2031” for “2023” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 2308(b)(1)2018—Subsec. (a). , substituted “2019 through 2023” for “2014 through 2018” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 2301(d)(1)(C)Subsec. (b)(1)(C). , struck out subpar. (C) which read as follows: “Land enrolled in the conservation security program.”

Pub. L. 115–334, § 2308(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 113–792014— amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to conservation stewardship program.

Pub. L. 112–552011—Subsec. (a). substituted “2014” for “2012”.