[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR658.3]

[Page 734-735]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 658--FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY ACT--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 658.3  Applicability and exemptions.

    (a) Section 1540(b) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 4201(b), states that the 
purpose of the Act is to minimize the extent to which Federal programs 
contribute to the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to 
nonagricultural uses. Conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses 
does not include the construction of on-farm structures necessary for 
farm operations. Federal

[[Page 735]]

agencies can obtain assistance from USDA in determining whether a 
proposed location or site meets the Act's definition of farmland. The 
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office serving 
the area will provide the assistance. Many State or local government 
planning offices can also provide this assistance.
    (b) Acquisition or use of farmland by a Federal agency for national 
defense purposes is exempted by section 1547(b) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 
4208(b).
    (c) The Act and these regulations do not authorize the Federal 
Government in any way to regulate the use of private or non-Federal 
land, or in any way affect the property rights of owners of such land. 
In cases where either a private party or a non-Federal unit of 
government applies for Federal assistance to convert farmland to a 
nonagricultural use, the Federal agency should use the criteria set 
forth in this part to identify and take into account any adverse effects 
on farmland of the assistance requested and develop alternative actions 
that would avoid or mitigate such adverse effects. If, after 
consideration of the adverse effects and suggested alternatives, the 
landowners want to proceed with conversion, the Federal agency, on the 
basis of the analysis set forth in Sec. 658.4 and any agency policies or 
procedures for implementing the Act, may provide or deny the requested 
assistance. Only assistance and actions that would convert farmland to 
nonagricultural uses are subject to this Act. Assistance and actions 
related to the purchase, maintenance, renovation, or replacement of 
existing structures and sites converted prior to the time of an 
application for assistance from a Federal agency, including assistance 
and actions related to the construction of minor new ancillary 
structures (such as garages or sheds), are not subject to the Act.
    (d) Section 1548 of the Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 4209, states that 
the Act shall not be deemed to provide a basis for any action, either 
legal or equitable, by any person or class of persons challenging a 
Federal project, program, or other activity that may affect farmland. 
Neither the Act nor this rule, therefore, shall afford any basis for 
such an action. However, as further provided in section 1548, the 
governor of an affected state, where a state policy or program exists to 
protect farmland, may bring an action in the Federal district court of 
the district where a Federal program is proposed to enforce the 
requirements of section 1541 of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 4202, and regulations 
issued pursuant to that section.

[49 FR 27724, July 5, 1984, as amended at 59 FR 31117, June 17, 1994]