Summary

GAO reviewed the Commodity Credit Corporations's (CCC) new rule on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. GAO found that (1) the interim final rule amends the existing Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) regulations to incorporate changes as authorized by amendments in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; and establishes a national target to set aside 5 percent of EQIP funds for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and an additional 5 percent of EQIP funds for beginning farmers or ranchers; and (2) CCC complied with applicable requirement in promulgating the rule.