PART 2 - DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT

(i) Formulate policies and administer programs authorized by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1282 et seq.).

(ii) Formulate policies and administer programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1441 et seq.).

(iii) Coordinate and prevent duplication of aerial photographic work of the Department, including:

(iv) [Reserved]

(v) Administer the Emergency Conservation Program under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.).

(vi) Conduct fiscal, accounting and claims functions relating to Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs for which the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation has been delegated authority.

(vii) Conduct assigned activities under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.).

(viii) Supervise and direct Farm Service Agency State and county offices and delegate functions to be performed by Farm Service Agency State and county committees.

(ix) Administer the dairy indemnity program under the Act of August 13, 1968, as amended (7 U.S.C. 4551 et seq.).

(x) Administer procurement, processing, handling, distribution, disposition, transportation, payment, and related services with respect to surplus removal and supply operations which are carried out under section 210 of the Agricultural Act of 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1859), the Act of August 19, 1958, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1431 note), and section 709 of the Food and Agricultural Act of 1965, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1446a-1), except as delegated in paragraph (a)(3) of this section and to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services in § 2.19, and assist the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services and the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs in the procurement, handling, payment, and related services under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, as amended (7 U.S.C. 612c), the Act of June 28, 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 713c), the National School Lunch Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1751, et seq.), section 8 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1777), section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3030a), section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended (7 U.S.C. 612c note), and section 1114 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 1431e).

(xi) Administer the Organic Certification Cost Share Programs authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)(4)(C)(ii), and under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 6523). [Reserved]

(xii) Administer the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), except those functions delegated in § 2.21(a)(8)(xi).

(xiii) Administer energy management activities as assigned.

(xiv) Conduct producer referenda of commodity promotion programs under the Beef Research and Information Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.), and the Agricultural Promotion Programs Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.).

(xv) Conduct field operations of diversion programs for fresh fruits and vegetables under section 32 of the Act of August 29, 1935.

(xvi) [Reserved]

(xvii) Collect, summarize, and publish data on the production, distribution, and stocks of sugar.

(xviii) Formulate and carry out the Conservation Reserve Program, including the implementation of technical assistance, under the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.), and the functions of the Grassland Reserve Program transferred to the Conservation Reserve Program.

(xix) Carry out functions relating to highly erodible land and wetland conservation under sections 1211-1213 and 1221-1223 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3811-3813 and 3821-3823).

(xx)-(xxii) [Reserved]

(xxiii) Formulate and administer regulations regarding program ineligibility resulting from convictions under Federal or State law of planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, or storing a controlled substance, as required under section 1764 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (21 U.S.C. 881a).

(xxiv) [Reserved]

(xxv) Administer all programs of the Commodity Credit Corporation that provide assistance with respect to the production of agricultural commodities or the income of producers, including disaster assistance and the domestic marketing of such commodities, except as may otherwise be reserved by the Secretary of Agriculture, and similar programs (including commodity quality development programs) consigned by statute to the Secretary of Agriculture unless otherwise delegated.

(xxvi) Administer the following provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 with respect to functions otherwise delegated to the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation:

(xxvii) Formulate and carry out the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-2).

(xxviii) Administer cooperative agreements authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4) as follows:

(xxix) Administer the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers under section 9010 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110) and the biomass crop assistance program under section 9011 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8111).

(xxx-(xxxi) [Reserved]

(xxxii) Implement the authority in section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) to accept and use voluntary contributions of non-Federal funds in support of natural resources conservation programs under subtitle D of title XII of that Act with respect to authorities delegated to the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.

(xxxiii) In coordination with the Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e)).

(xxxiv) Administer the following provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246:

(xxxv) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).

(xxxvi) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79, as amended:

(xxxvii) Administer the funds made available to the Office of the Secretary under Title I of Subdivision B, Further Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018, Public Law 115-123.

(xxxviii) Determine the agricultural commodities acquired under price support programs which are available for export.

(xxxix) Administer the following provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 116-334:

(i) Administer the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.), except for the authority contained in the following sections:

(ii) Collect, service, and liquidate loans made or insured by the Farm Service Agency, or its predecessor agencies.

(iii) Administer the Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Trust Liquidation Act (40 U.S.C. 440 et seq.), and trust, liquidation, and other agreements entered into pursuant thereto.

(iv) [Reserved]

(v) Administer Farmers Home Administration or any successor agency assets conveyed in trust under the Participation Sales Act of 1966 (12 U.S.C. 1717).

(vi) Administer the Emergency Loan and Guarantee Programs under sections 232, 234, 237, and 253 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (Pub. L. No. 91-606), the Disaster Relief Act of 1969 (Pub. L. No. 91-79), Pub. L. No. 92-385, approved August 16, 1972, and the Emergency Livestock Credit Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-357), as amended.

(vii) Administer loans to homestead or desertland entrymen and purchasers of land in reclamation projects or to an entryman under the desertland law (7 U.S.C. 1006a and 1006b).

(viii) [Reserved]

(ix) Service, collect, settle, and liquidate:

(x) Administer loans to Indian tribes, tribal corporations, and purchasers of highly fractionated land (25 U.S.C. 488-492).

(xi) Administer the State Agricultural Loan Mediation Program under title 5 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.)

(xii) Administer financial assistance programs relating to Economic Opportunity Loans to Cooperatives under part A of title III and part D of title I and the necessarily related functions in title VI of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2763-2768, 2841-2855, 2942, 2943(b), 2961), delegated by the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity to the Secretary of Agriculture by documents dated October 23, 1964 (29 FR 14764), and June 17, 1968 (33 FR 9850), respectively.

(xiii) Exercise all authority and discretion vested in the Secretary by section 331(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended by section 2 of the Farmers Home Administration Improvement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-248 (7 U.S.C. 1981(c)), including the following:

(xiv) Administer programs for Apple Loans and Emergency Loans for Seed Producers under sections 203(f) and 253, respectively, of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1421 note, Pub. L. 106-224).

(xv) Administer evaluations of direct and guaranteed loan programs under section 5301 of the Farm security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1922 note).

(i) Provide national leadership in the conservation, development and productive use of the Nation's soil, water, and related resources. Such leadership encompasses soil, water, plant, and wildlife conservation; small watershed protection and flood prevention; and resource conservation and development. Integrated in these programs are erosion control, sediment reduction, pollution abatement, land use planning, multiple use, improvement of water quality, and several surveying and monitoring activities related to environmental improvement. All are designed to assure:

(ii) Provide national leadership in and evaluate and coordinate land use policy, and administer the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.), including the Farms for the Future Program authorized by sections 1465-1470 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 4201 note), except as otherwise delegated to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics in § 2.21(a)(1)(lxii).

(iii) Administer the basic program of soil and water conservation under Public Law 74-46, and related laws (16 U.S.C. 590a-f, q, q-1; 42 U.S.C. 3271-3274; 7 U.S.C. 2201), including:

(iv) Administer the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Programs, including:

(v) Administer the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program for Rural Lands and other responsibilities assigned under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), except those responsibilities assigned to the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

(vi) Administer the Resource Conservation and Development Program under 16 U.S.C. 590 a-f; 7 U.S.C. 1010-1011; and 16 U.S.C. 3451-3461, except for responsibilities assigned to the Under Secretary for Rural Development.

(vii) Responsibility for entering into long-term contracts for carrying out conservation and environmental measures in watershed areas.

(viii) Provide national leadership for and administer the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.).

(ix) Administer the Rural Clean Water Program and other responsibilities assigned under section 35 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).

(x) Monitor actions and progress of USDA in complying with Executive Order 11988, Flood Plain Management, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 117, and Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 121, regarding management of floodplains and protection of wetlands; monitor USDA efforts on protection of important agricultural, forest and rangelands; and provide staff assistance to the USDA Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

(xi) Administer the search and rescue operations authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2273.

(xii) Administer section 202(c) of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, 43 U.S.C. 1592(c), including:

(xiii) Except as otherwise delegated, administer natural resources conservation authorities, including authorities related to programs of the Commodity Credit Corporation that provide assistance with respect to natural resources conservation, under Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (the Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), including the following:

(xiv) Approve and transmit to the Congress comprehensive river basin reports.

(xv) Provide representation on the Water Resources Council and river basin commissions created by 42 U.S.C. 1962, and on river basin interagency committees.

(xvii) Administer the Water Bank Program under the Water Bank Act (16 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.).

(xviii) Enter into cooperative agreements, which may provide for the acquisition of goods or services, including personal services, as authorized by Public Law 106-387 (7 U.S.C. 6962a).

(xix) Coordinate USDA input and assistance to the Department of Commerce and other Federal agencies consistent with section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1456), and coordinate USDA review of qualifying state and local government coastal management plans or programs prepared under such Act and submitted to the Secretary of Commerce, consistent with section 306(a) and (c) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1455(a) and (c)).

(xx) Administer the Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized by sections 501-508, Title V of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571-6578).

(xxi) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).

(xxii) In coordination with the Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e)).

(xxiii) Authorize employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to carry and use firearms for personal protection while conducting field work in remote locations in the performance of their official duties (7 U.S.C. 2274a).

(xxiv) Conduct activities that assist the Chief Economist in developing guidelines regarding the development of environmental services markets.

(xxv) Administer the Terminal Lakes assistance program authorized by section 2507 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-6).

(xxvi) Administer the state and private forest landscape-scale restoration program (16 U.S.C. 2109a).

(xxvii) Administer the following provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 116-334):

(i) Exercise general supervision of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.

(ii) Appoint such officers and employees as may be necessary for the transaction of the business of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Risk Management Agency.

(iii) Conduct pilot programs involving revenue insurance, risk management savings accounts, or the use of futures markets to manage risk and support farm income.

(iv) Provide education in management of the financial risks inherent in the production and marketing of agricultural commodities.

(v) Conduct a study and issue a report on the efficacy and accuracy of the application of pack factors regarding the measurement of farm-stored production for purposes of providing policies or plans of insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).

(vi) Carry out functions relating to highly erodible land and wetland conservation under sections 1211-1213 and 1221-1223 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3811-3813 and 3821-3823).

(vii) Prepare cropland reports as required by section 11014(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2013, Public Law 113-79.

(viii) Assist the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics with implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding locally or regionally produced agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).

(ix) Administer the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501, et seq.), except for sections 524(a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (b) (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(1)(B), (a)(3), (b)) and 531 (7 U.S.C. 1531).

(x) Coordinate between agencies of the Department on the type and format of data received under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program as authorized by Sec. 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, (Pub. L. 104-127, as amended) (7 U.S.C. 7333).

(i) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq.), concerning agricultural production; food processing, storage, and distribution; distribution of farm equipment and fertilizer; rehabilitation and use of food, agricultural, and related agribusiness facilities; CCC resources; and farm credit and financial assistance.

(ii) Administer functions delegated by the President to the Secretary under Executive Order 13603, “National Defense Resources Preparedness” (3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 225), and Executive Order 12742, “National Security Industrial Responsiveness” (3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 309), including administration of an Agriculture Priorities and Allocations System.

(i) Sections 104 (a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604 (a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;

(ii) Sections 104(e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(e)-(h)), with respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;

(iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with respect to the reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;

(iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required to conduct a remedial action;

(v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(d)), with respect to petition for preliminary assessment of a release or threatened release;

(vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) pertaining to the annual report to Congress;

(vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing information;

(viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous Substances Superfund;

(ix) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially responsible parties;

(x) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;

(xi) Sections 117(a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617(a) and (c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, including any settlement or consent decree entered into;

(xii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9119), with respect to indemnifying response action contractors;

(xiii) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to cleanup standards; and

(xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act.

(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);

(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);

(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);

(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);

(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and

(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(i) Serve on the USDA Hazardous Materials Policy Council.

(ii) Recommend actions and policies that enable USDA agencies under his or her authority to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of environmental laws for pollution prevention, control, and abatement.

(iii) Consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal agencies in developing pollution prevention, control, and abatement policies and programs relating to agencies under his or her authority.

(iv) Recommend actions and policies of the loan and grant programs under his or her authority concerning compliance with the Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1996, Subtitle E of Public Law No. 104-208.

(i) Appointment of Farm Service Agency State committeemen.

(ii) Final approval of regulations relating to the selection and exercise of the functions of committees promulgated under section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)).

(iii) Final approval of allocations orders issued by the Department pursuant to authorities delegated by the President to the Secretary under Executive Order 13603, “National Defense Resources Preparedness” (3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 225).

(i) Appointment of those members of the Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation who are not already otherwise employed by the Department of Agriculture, and as authorized in 7 U.S.C. 1505(a) designating an Under Secretary of Agriculture to be a member of the Board in addition to the Under Secretary responsible for the Federal crop insurance program who is a Board member pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1505(a).

(ii) Appointment of the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency who also shall serve as the Manager of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.

(i) Provide Department-wide operational support and coordination for loan and grant programs to foster and encourage the production of fuels from agricultural and forestry products or by-products.

(ii) Participate as a Department representative at conferences, meetings and other contacts including liaison with the Department of Energy and other government agencies and departments with respect to implementation of established Department energy policy.

(iii) Serve as Co-Chairperson of the Energy Coordinating Committee of the Department.

(i) Sections 104(a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;

(ii) Sections 104(e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(e)-(h)), with respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;

(iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with respect to the reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;

(iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required to conduct a remedial action;

(v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(d)), with respect to petitions for preliminary assessment of a release or threatened release;

(vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) pertaining to the annual report to Congress;

(vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing information;

(viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous Substances Superfund;

(ix) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially responsible parties;

(x) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;

(xi) Sections 117(a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617(a) and (c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, including any settlement or consent decree entered into;

(xii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9119), with respect to indemnifying response action contractors;

(xiii) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to cleanup standards; and

(xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(1)), related to mixed funding agreements.

(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);

(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);

(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);

(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);

(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and

(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(i) Administer the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) except for rural economic development loan and grant programs; (7 U.S.C. 940c and 950aa et seq.): Provided, however, that the Under Secretary may utilize consultants and attorneys for the provision of legal services pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 918, with the concurrence of the General Counsel.

(ii) Administer the Rural Electrification Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 903 note).

(iii) Designate the chief executive officer of the Rural Telephone Bank.

(iv) Administer the following sections of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921, et seq.):

(v) Administer section 8, and those functions with respect to repayment of obligations under section 4 of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1006a, 1004) and administer the Resource Conservation and Development Program to assist in carrying out resource conservation and development projects in rural areas under section 32(e) of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(e)).

(vi) Administer the Water and Waste Loan Program (7 U.S.C. 1926-1).

(vii) Administer the Rural Wastewater Treatment Circuit Rider Program (7 U.S.C. 1926 note).

(viii) Administer the Distance Learning and Medical Link Programs (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.).

(ix) Administer Water and Waste Facility Programs and activities (7 U.S.C. 1926-1).

(x) Consult with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to assist in the verification of eligibility of the broadband loan and grant programs of the Department of Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 950bb-6).

(xi) In coordination with the Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e)).

(xii) Administer section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a), relating to a rural energy savings program.

(xiii) Administer section 6210 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79, relating to funding of pending rural development loan and grant applications.

(xiv) Administer the authority under section 746 of Division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-141), and any successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts, to issue waivers to the U.S. iron and steel requirements for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water or wastewater system.

(xv) In coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, administer Section 12511 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) relating to the precision agriculture connectivity task force.

(i) Administer the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs under the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 940c and 950aa et seq.).

(ii) Administer the following sections of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.):

(iii) Administer Alcohol Fuels Credit Guarantee Program Account (Pub. L. 102-341, 106 Stat. 895).

(iv) [Reserved]

(v) Administer loan programs in the Appalachian region under sections 203 and 204 of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (40 U.S.C. App. 204).

(vi) Administer section 601 of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-620).

(vii) Administer the Drought and Disaster Guaranteed Loan Program under section 331 of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1929a note).

(viii) Administer the Disaster Assistance for Rural Business Enterprises Guaranteed Loan Program under section 401 of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1989 (7 U.S.C. 1929a note).

(ix) Administer the Rural Economic Development Demonstration Grant Program (7 U.S.C. 2662a).

(x) Administer the Economically Disadvantaged Rural Community Loan Program (7 U.S.C. 6616).

(xi) Administer the assets of the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation and the funds in the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Fund in accordance with section 6201 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2000 (note to 7 U.S.C. 5901 (repealed)).

(xii) Administer programs authorized by the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (7 U.S.C. 451-457).

(xiii) Carry out the responsibilities of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to the marketing aspects of cooperatives, including economic research and analysis, the application of economic research findings, technical assistance to existing and developing cooperatives, education on cooperatives, and statistical information pertaining to cooperatives as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627).

(xiv) Work with institutions and international organizations throughout the world on subjects related to the development and operation of agricultural cooperatives. Such work may be carried out by:

(xv) Administer in rural areas the process of designation, provision of monitoring and oversight, and provision of technical assistance for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities pursuant to section 13301 of Public Law 103-66, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (26 U.S.C. 1391 et seq.)

(xvi) Work with Federal agencies in encouraging the creation of local rural community development organizations. Within a State, assist other Federal agencies in developing means for extending their services effectively to rural areas and in designating pilot projects in rural areas (7 U.S.C. 2204).

(xvii) Conduct assessments to determine how programs of the Department can be brought to bear on the economic development problems of a State or local area and assure that local groups are receiving adequate and effective technical assistance from Federal agencies or from local and State governments in formulating development programs and in carrying out planned development activities (7 U.S.C. 2204b).

(xviii) Develop a process through which State, sub-state and local rural development needs, goals, objectives, plans, and recommendations can be received and assessed on a continuing basis (7 U.S.C. 2204b).

(xix) Prepare local or area-wide rural development strategies based on the needs, goals, objectives, plans and recommendations of local communities, sub-state areas and States (7 U.S.C. 2204b).

(xx) Develop a system of outreach in the State or local area to promote rural development and provide for the publication and dissemination of information, through multi-media methods, relating to rural development. Advise local rural development organizations of availability of Federal programs and the type of assistance available, and assist in making contact with Federal program (7 U.S.C. 2204; 7 U.S.C. 2204b).

(xxi) In coordination with the Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs, administer the value-added producer grants program and farmers' markets and local food promotion program (7 U.S.C. 1627c(d)(5)-(6)).

(xxii) Administer the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration program (7 U.S.C. 1632b).

(xxiii) Administer the renewable energy programs authorized in sections 9003, 9004, 9005, 9007, and 9009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103, 8104, 8105, 8107, and 8109).

(xxiv) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).

(xxv) In coordination with the Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e)).

(xxvi) Administer the Healthy Food Financing Initiative under section 243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953).

(xxvii) Administer section 6209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2207b), relating to the collection and reporting of program metrics.

(xxviii) Implementation of a program for the Federal procurement of biobased products and of a voluntary “USDA Certified Biobased product” labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102).

(xxix) Entering into cooperative agreements to further research programs in the food and agricultural sciences, related to establishing and implementing Federal biobased procurement and voluntary biobased labeling programs (7 U.S.C. 3318).

(i) Administer the following under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.):

(ii) Administer title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), except those functions pertaining to research.

(iii) In consultation with the Department of Justice, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Secretary of Health and Human Services, administer the emergency and transitional pet shelter and housing assistance grant program (34 U.S.C. 20127).

(iv) Administer the Rural Housing Disaster Program under sections 232, 234, and 253 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (Pub. L. No. 91-606).

(v) Exercise all authority and discretion vested in the Secretary by section 510(d) of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended by section 1045 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100-628 (42 U.S.C. 1480(d)), including the following:

(vi) Administer the Rural Firefighters and Emergency Personnel Grant program (7 U.S.C. 2655).

(vii) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).

(viii) In coordination with the Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e)).

(i) Serve on the USDA Hazardous Materials Policy Council.

(ii) Recommend actions and policies that enable USDA agencies under his or her authority to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of environmental laws for pollution prevention, control, and abatement.

(iii) Consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal agencies in developing pollution prevention, control, and abatement policies and programs relating to agencies under his or her authority.

(iv) Recommend actions and policies of the loan and grant programs under his or her authority concerning compliance with the Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1996, Subtitle E of Public Law No. 104-208.

(i) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture contained in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), relating to voluntary inspection of poultry and edible products thereof; voluntary inspection and certification of technical animal fat; certified products for dogs, cats, and other carnivora; voluntary inspection of rabbits and edible products thereof; and voluntary inspection and certification of edible meat and other products.

(ii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture contained in the following legislation:

(iii) Coordinate with the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs the administration of programs relating to human pathogen reduction (such as salmonella enteritidis) pursuant to section 2 of the Act of February 2, 1903, as amended (21 U.S.C. 111), and sections 4 and 5 of the Act of May 29, 1884, as amended (21 U.S.C. 120).

(iv) Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to further research programs in the agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3318).

(i) Sections 104 (a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604 (a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;

(ii) Sections 104(e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(e)-(h)), with respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;

(iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with respect to the reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;

(iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required to conduct a remedial action;

(v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(d)), with respect to petitions for preliminary assessment of a release or threatened release;

(vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) pertaining to the annual report to Congress;

(vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing information;

(viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous Substances Superfund;

(ix) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially responsible parties;

(x) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;

(xi) Sections 117(a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617(a) and (c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, including any settlement or consent decree entered into;

(xii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9119), with respect to indemnifying response action contractors;

(xiii) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to cleanup standards; and

(xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(1)), related to mixed funding agreements.

(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);

(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);

(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);

(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);

(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and

(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(i) Serve on the USDA Hazardous Materials Policy Council.

(ii) Recommend actions and policies that enable the USDA agency under his or her authority to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of environmental laws for pollution prevention, control, and abatement.

(iii) Consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal agencies in developing pollution prevention, control, and abatement policies and programs relating to agencies under his or her authority.

(iv) Exercise primary responsibility to regulate drug, pesticide, and environmental contaminants in food products as covered by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.), including the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, Public Law 104-170, and the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), as implemented by the Food Safety and Inspection Service through a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(i) Administer the following legislation:

(ii) Administer those functions relating to the distribution and donation of agricultural commodities and products thereof under the following legislation:

(iii) Administer those functions relating to the distribution of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under section 412 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5179).

(iv) In connection with the functions assigned in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this section, relating to the distribution and donation of agricultural commodities and products thereof and supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to eligible recipients, authority to determine the requirements for such agricultural commodities and products thereof and supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to be so distributed.

(v) Develop food plans for use in establishing supplemental nutrition assistance benefit levels, and assess the nutritional impact of Federal food programs.

(vi) Administer those functions under title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612) relating to the eligibility of aliens for benefits under the domestic food assistance programs.

(vii) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79:

(viii) Administer section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990, relating to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (7 U.S.C. 5341).

(ix) Implement section 242 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6952), relating to establishment of a multiagency task force for the purpose of providing coordination and direction for commodity programs.

(i) Develop and implement USDA policy and procedural guidelines for carrying out the Department's Consumer Affairs Plan.

(ii) Advise the Secretary and other policy level officials of the Department on consumer affairs policies and programs.

(iii) Coordinate USDA consumer affairs activities and monitor and analyze agency procedures and performance.

(iv) Represent the Department at conferences, meetings and other contacts where consumer affairs issues are discussed, including liaison with the White House and other governmental agencies and departments.

(v) Work with the Office of Budget and Program Analysis and the Office of Communications to ensure coordination of USDA consumer affairs and public participation programs, policies and information, and to prevent duplication of responsibilities.

(vi) Serve as a consumer ombudsman and communication link between consumers and the Department.

(vii) Approve the designation of agency Consumer Affairs Contacts.

(i) Develop techniques and equipment to assist consumers in the home and in institutions in selecting food that supplies a nutritionally adequate diet.

(ii) Develop family food plans at different costs for use as standards by families of different sizes, sex-age composition, and economic levels.

(iii) Develop suitable and safe preparation and management procedures to retain nutritional and eating qualities of food served in homes and institutions.

(iv) Develop materials to aid the public in meeting dietary needs, with emphasis on food selection for good nutrition and appropriate cost, and food preparation to avoid waste, maximize nutrient retention, minimize food safety hazards, and conserve energy.

(v) Develop food plans for use in establishing food stamp benefit levels, and assess the nutritional impact of Federal food programs.

(vi) Coordinate nutrition education promotion and professional education projects within the Department.

(vii) Analyze data from food consumption surveys in coordination with the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics to provide a basis for evaluating dietary adequacy.

(viii) Consult with the Federal and State agencies, the Congress, universities, and other public and private organizations and the general public regarding household food consumption, individual intake, and dietary adequacy, and implications of the survey on public policy regarding food and nutrition policies (7 U.S.C. 3171-3175).

(ix) In conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, administer section 4403 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 5311a).

(x) Enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements in accordance with section 1472 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318).

(i) Administer the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

(ii) Represent USDA on Regional Response Teams on hazardous spills and oil spills pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), the Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), as amended (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), Executive Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, Executive Order 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351, and the National Contingency Plan, 40 CFR part 300.

(iii) Represent USDA in contacts with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and other organizations or agencies on matters related to assigned responsibilities.

(iv) Formulate and promulgate USDA policy relating to environmental activity and natural resources.

(v) Provide staff support for the Secretary in the review of environmental impact statements.

(vi) Provide leadership in USDA for general land use activities including implementation of Executive Order 11988, Flood Plain Management, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 117, and Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 121.

(vii) Take such action as may be necessary, including issuance of administrative orders, and enter into agreements with any person to perform any response action under sections 106(a) and 122 (except subsection (b)(1)) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9606(a), 9622), pursuant to sections 4(c)(3) and 4(d)(3) of Executive Order No. 12580, as amended by Executive Order No. 13016, to be exercised only with the concurrence of the General Counsel.

(viii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture authorized in Title V of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-83, relating to the acquisition of the New World Mine and other priority land acquisitions, land exchanges, and other activities.

(ix) Serve on the USDA Hazardous Materials Policy Council.

(x) Recommend actions and policies that enable agencies under his or her authority to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of environmental laws for pollution prevention, control, and abatement.

(xi) Consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal agencies in developing pollution prevention, control, and abatement policies and programs relating to agencies under his or her authority.

(i) Provide national leadership in forestry. (As used here and elsewhere in this section, the term “forestry” encompasses renewable and nonrenewable resources of forests, including lands governed by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, forest-related rangeland, grassland, brushland, woodland, and alpine areas including but not limited to recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish; natural scenic, scientific, cultural, and historic values of forests and related lands; and derivative values such as economic strength and social well-being).

(ii) Protect, manage, and administer the national forests, national forest purchase units, national grasslands, and other lands and interests in lands administered by the Forest Service, which collectively are designated as the National Forest System.

(iii) Acquire, dispose of, and lease lands and interests in lands as may be authorized for the protection, management, and administration of the National Forest System, including the authority to approve acquisition of land under the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, as amended (16 U.S.C. 521), and special forest receipts acts, as follows: (Pub. L. 337, 74th Cong., 49 Stat. 866, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 505, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 347, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 634, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 699, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 748, 75th Cong., 52 Stat. 1205, as amended by Pub. L. 310, 78th Cong., 58 Stat. 227; Pub. L. 427, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 46; Pub. L. 589, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 297; Pub. L. 591, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 299; Pub. L. 637, 76th Cong., 54 Stat. 402; Pub. L. 781, 84th Cong., 70 Stat. 632).

(iv) As necessary for administrative purposes, divide into and designate as national forests any lands of 3,000 acres or more which are acquired under or subject to the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, as amended, and which are contiguous to existing national forest boundaries established under the authority of the Weeks Act.

(v) Plan and administer wildlife and fish conservation rehabilitation and habitat management programs on National Forest System lands, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 670g, 670h, and 670o.

(vi) For the purposes of the National Forest System Drug Control Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 559b-559g), specifically designate certain specially trained officers and employees of the Forest Service, not exceeding 500, to have authority in the performance of their duties within the boundaries of the National Forest System:

(vii) Authorize the Forest Service to cooperate with the law enforcement officials of any Federal agency, State, or political subdivision, in the investigation of violations of, and enforcement of, section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841), other laws and regulations relating to marijuana and other controlled substances, and State drug control laws or ordinances, within the boundaries of the National Forest System.

(viii) Administer programs under section 23 of the Federal Highway Act (23 U.S.C. 101(a), 120(f), 125(a)-(c), 138, 202(a)-(b), 203, 204(a)-(c), 205(a)-(d), 211, 317, 402(a)).

(ix) Exercise the administrative appeal review functions of the Secretary of Agriculture for decisions of the Chief of the Forest Service pursuant to 36 CFR parts 214, 218, and 219.

(x) Conduct, support, and cooperate in investigations, experiments, tests, and other activities deemed necessary to obtain, analyze, develop, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information about protecting, managing, and utilizing forest and rangeland renewable resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas in the United States and foreign countries. The activities conducted, supported, or cooperated in shall include, but not be limited to: Renewable resource management research, renewable resource environmental research; renewable resource protection research; renewable resource utilization research, and renewable resource assessment research (16 U.S.C. 1641-1647).

(xi) Use authorities and means available to disseminate the knowledge and technology developed from forestry research (16 U.S.C. 1645).

(xii) Coordinate activities with other agencies in USDA, other Federal and State agencies, forestry schools, and private entities and individuals (16 U.S.C. 1643).

(xiii) Enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements for the support of scientific research in forestry activities (7 U.S.C. 3105, 1624; 16 U.S.C. 582a-8, 1643-1645, 1649).

(xiv) Enter into cooperative research and development agreements with industry, universities, and others; institute a cash award program to reward scientific, engineering, and technical personnel; award royalties to inventors; and retain and use royalty income (15 U.S.C. 3710a-3710c).

(xv) Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to further research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3152, 3318).

(xvi) Enter into cost-reimbursable agreements relating to agricultural research, extension, or teaching activities (7 U.S.C. 3319a).

(xvii) Administer programs of cooperative forestry assistance in the protection, conservation, and multiple resource management of forests and related resources in both rural and urban areas and forest lands in foreign countries (16 U.S.C. 2101-2114).

(xviii) Provide assistance to States and other units of government in forest resources planning and forestry rural revitalization (7 U.S.C. 6601, 6611-6617; 16 U.S.C. 2107).

(xix) Conduct a program of technology implementation for State forestry personnel, private forest landowners and managers, vendors, forest operators, public agencies, and individuals (16 U.S.C. 2107).

(xx) Administer Rural Fire Protection and Control Programs (16 U.S.C. 2106c).

(xxi) Provide technical assistance on forestry technology or the implementation of the Conservation Reserve and Softwood Timber Programs authorized in sections 1231-1244 and 1254 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831-3844; 7 U.S.C. 1981 note).

(xxii) Administer forest insect, disease, and other pest management programs (16 U.S.C. 2104).

(xxiii) Exercise the custodial functions of the Secretary for lands and interests in lands under lease or contract of sale to States and local agencies pursuant to title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act and administer reserved and reversionary interests in lands conveyed under that Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1013a).

(xxiv) Under such general program criteria and procedures as may be established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service:

(xxv) Provide assistance to the Farm Service Agency in connection with the Agricultural Conservation Program, the Naval Stores Conservation Program, and the Cropland Conversion Program (16 U.S.C. 590g-q).

(xxvi) Provide assistance to the Rural Housing Service in connection with grants and loans under authority of section 303 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1923.

(xxvii) Coordinate mapping work of USDA including:

(xxviii) Administer the radio frequency licensing work of USDA, including:

(xxix) Represent USDA in all matters relating to responsibilities and authorities under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a-823).

(xxx) Administer the Youth Conservation Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1701-1706) for USDA.

(xxxi) Establish and operate the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers on National Forest System lands as authorized by title I, sections 106 and 107 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2716), in accordance with the terms of an agreement dated May 11, 1967, between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Labor; and administration of other cooperative manpower training and work experience programs where the Forest Service serves as host or prime sponsor with other Departments of Federal, State, or local governments.

(xxxii) Administer the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 558a-558d, 558a note).

(xxxiii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture authorized in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3101-3215).

(xxxiv) Exercise the functions of the Secretary as authorized in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271-1287).

(xxxv) Jointly administer gypsy moth eradication activities with the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, under the authority of section 102 of the Organic Act of 1944, as amended; and the Act of April 6, 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 7759, 148, 148a-148e); and the Talmadge Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 1633), by assuming primary responsibility for treating isolated gypsy moth infestations on Federal lands, and on State and private lands contiguous to infested Federal lands, and any other infestations over 640 acres on State and private lands.

(xxxvi) Exercise the functions of the Secretary authorized in the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987 (30 U.S.C. 226 et seq.).

(xxxvii) Administer the Public Lands Corps program (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1726b) for USDA consistent with the Department's overall national service program.

(xxxviii) Focusing on countries that could have a substantial impact on global warming, provide assistance that promotes sustainable development and global environmental stability; share technical, managerial, extension, and administrative skills; provide education and training opportunities; engage in scientific exchange; and cooperate with domestic and international organizations that further international programs for the management and protection of forests, rangelands, wildlife, fisheries and related natural resources (16 U.S.C. 4501-4505).

(xxxix) Establish programs with any bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), or with other agencies within USDA, in support of the Service First initiative for the purpose of promoting customer service and efficiency including delegating to employees of DOI and other USDA agencies the authorities of the Forest Service necessary to carry out projects on behalf of USDA (43 U.S.C. 1703).

(xl) At the request of the Director, Homeland Security Staff (Director), designate law enforcement personnel of the Forest Service to assist the Director in providing for the personal security for the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary in the National Forest System.

(xli) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).

(xlii) Administer a program for providing loans to eligible units of local government to finance the purchase of equipment to monitor, remove, dispose of, and replace infested trees located under their jurisdiction and within the borders of quarantined areas (16 U.S.C. 2104a).

(xliii) [Reserved]

(xliv) Administer the community wood energy program providing grants to develop community wood energy plans, acquire or upgrade community wood energy systems, and establish or expand biomass consumer cooperatives (7 U.S.C. 8113).

(xlv) Conduct activities that assist the Chief Economist in developing guidelines regarding the development of environmental services markets.

(xlvi) Administer the programs authorized by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), except for the Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized in title V of such act (16 U.S.C. 6571-6578).

(xlvii) Administer Good Neighbor contracts and cooperative agreements with a State to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 2113a).

(xlviii) Utilize the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program (16 U.S.C. 3851) to provide technical services for conservation-related programs and authorities carried out on National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 3851a).

(xlix) Enter into reciprocal fire agreements or contracts with domestic entities. Administer reimbursements received for fire suppression (42 U.S.C. 1856-1856e).

(l) Administer the large airtanker and aerial asset lease program (16 U.S.C. 551c).

(li) Provide technical and other assistance with respect to eligibility of forest products for the “USDA Certified Biobased Products” labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102(g)).

(lii) Cooperate with public or private entities or individuals to perform work on state, county, municipal, or private lands within or near the boundary of National Forest System lands for administration, protection, improvement, reforestation, and other kinds of work the Forest Service is authorized to do on National Forest System lands, and cooperate with public or private entities or individuals to perform the same kinds of work in connection with the use or occupancy of National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 572).

(liii) Enter into reciprocal fire agreements with foreign fire organizations. (42 U.S.C. 1856m-1856o).

(liv) Administer the payments to states program (16 U.S.C. 500; 16 U.S.C. 7101-7153); establish, maintain, and appoint members to Resource Advisory Committees (16 U.S.C. 7125).

(lv) Administer the Wood Innovation Grant program (7 U.S.C. 7655d).

(i) With respect to land and facilities under his or her authority, to exercise the functions delegated to the Secretary by Executive Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, and Executive Order 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351, to act as Federal trustee for natural resources in accordance with section 107(f) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9607(f)), section 311(f)(5) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(f)(5)), and section 1006(b)(2) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2706(b)(2)).

(ii) With respect to land and facilities under his or her authority, to exercise the functions delegated to the Secretary by Executive Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, under the following provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“the Act”), as amended:

(iii) With respect to land and facilities under his or her authority, to exercise the authority vested in the Secretary of Agriculture to act as the “Federal Land Manager” pursuant to the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).

(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);

(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);

(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);

(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);

(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and

(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(i) Direct, coordinate and provide national leadership and support for research, extension and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences to meet major needs and challenges in development of new food and fiber; food and agriculture viability and competitiveness in the global economy; enhancing economic opportunities and quality of life for rural America; food and agricultural system productivity and development of new crops and new uses; the environment and natural resources; or the promotion of human health and welfare pursuant to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).

(ii) Provide national leadership and support for research, extension, and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences to carry out sustainable agriculture research and education; a National Plant Genetic Resources Program; a national agricultural weather information system; and any other provisions pursuant to title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-624, 104 Stat. 3703).

(iii) Exercise the authorities of the Secretary in administering the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, including awarding grants and entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions (7 U.S.C. 3319k).

(iv) Carry out research, technology development, technology transfer, and demonstration projects related to the economic feasibility of the manufacture and commercialization of natural rubber from plants containing hydrocarbons and other critical agricultural materials from native agricultural crops having strategic and industrial importance (7 U.S.C. 178-178n).

(v) Conduct research on the control of undesirable species of honey bees in cooperation with specific foreign governments (7 U.S.C. 284).

(vi) Administer the appropriation for the endowment and maintenance of colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanical arts (7 U.S.C. 321-326a).

(vii) Administer teaching funds authorized by section 22 of the Bankhead Jones Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 329).

(viii) Administer a Cooperative Agricultural Extension Program in accordance with the Smith-Lever Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 341-349).

(ix) Cooperate with the States for the purpose of encouraging and assisting them in carrying out research related to the problems of agriculture in its broadest aspects under the Hatch Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 361a-361i).

(x) Evaluate, assess, and report to congressional agriculture committees on the merits of proposals for agricultural research facilities in the States, and ensure that each research activity conducted by an Agricultural Research Service facility serves a national or multistate need (7 U.S.C. 390 et seq.).

(xi) Conduct research concerning domestic animals and poultry, their protection and use, the causes of contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases, and the means for the prevention and cure of the same (7 U.S.C. 391).

(xii) Conduct research related to the dairy industry and to the dissemination of information for the promotion of the dairy industry (7 U.S.C. 402).

(xiii) Conduct research and demonstrations at Mandan, ND, related to dairy livestock breeding, growing, and feeding, and other problems pertaining to the establishment of the dairy and livestock industries (7 U.S.C. 421-422).

(xiv) Conduct research on new uses for cotton and on cotton ginning and processing (7 U.S.C. 423-424).

(xv) Administer and conduct research into the basic problems of agriculture in its broadest aspects, including, but not limited to, production, marketing (other than statistical and economic research but including research related to family use of resources), distribution, processing, and utilization of plant and animal commodities; problems of human nutrition; development of markets for agricultural commodities; discovery, introduction, and breeding of new crops, plants, and animals, both foreign and native; conservation development; and development of efficient use of farm buildings, homes, and farm machinery except as otherwise delegated in § 2.22(a)(1)(ii) and § 2.79(a)(2) (7 U.S.C. 427, 1621-1627, 1629, 2201, and 2204).

(xvi) Conduct research on varietal improvement of wheat and feed grains to enhance their conservation and environmental qualities (7 U.S.C. 428b).

(xvii) Administer a program to make competitive grants to assist in the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 390b).

(xviii) Enter into agreements with and receive funds from any State, other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the purpose of conducting cooperative research projects (7 U.S.C. 3318a).

(xix) Carry out a program (IR-4 Program) for the collection of residue and efficacy data in support of registration or reregistration of pesticides for minor agricultural use and for use on specialty crops, and to determine tolerances for minor use chemical residues in or on agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 3157(e)).

(xx) Administer the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative for competitive grants for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education to address food and agricultural sciences; administer a program of making special grants for research, extension, or education activities (7 U.S.C. 3157(b), (c)).

(xxi)-(xxii) [Reserved]

(xxiii) Conduct research related to soil and water conservation, engineering operations, and methods of cultivation to provide for the control and prevention of soil erosion (7 U.S.C. 1010 and 16 U.S.C. 590a).

(xxiv) Maintain four regional research laboratories and conduct research at such laboratories to develop new scientific, chemical, and technical uses and new and extended markets and outlets for farm commodities and products and the byproducts thereof (7 U.S.C. 1292).

(xxv) Conduct a Special Cotton Research Program designed to reduce the cost of producing upland cotton in the United States (7 U.S.C. 1444a(c)).

(xxvi) [Reserved]

(xxvii) Conduct research to develop and determine methods for the humane slaughter of livestock (7 U.S.C. 1904).

(xxviii)-(xxix) [Reserved]

(xxx) Conduct education and extension programs related to nutrition education (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)).

(xxxi) Prepare an annual report to Congress on disbursements of funds for agricultural research and extension at 1890 and 1862 Institutions for programs under the following authorities: 7 U.S.C. 3221; 7 U.S.C. 3222; 7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c); and 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq. (7 U.S.C. 2207d).

(xxxii) Develop and maintain national and international library and information systems and networks and facilitate cooperation and coordination of the agricultural libraries of colleges, universities, USDA, and their closely allied information gathering and dissemination units in conjunction with private industry and other research libraries (7 U.S.C. 2201, 2204, 3125a, and 3126).

(xxxiii) Accept gifts and order disbursements from the Treasury for carrying out of National Agricultural Library (NAL) functions (7 U.S.C. 2264-2265).

(xxxiv) Propagate bee-breeding stock and release bee germplasm to the public (7 U.S.C. 283).

(xxxv) Administer, in cooperation with land-grant colleges and universities where applicable, a rural development research and extension program, a small farm research and extension program, and a rural health and safety education program under the Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2661-2667).

(xxxvi) Administer a cooperative extension program under the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3004).

(xxxvii) Coordinate the development and carrying out by Department agencies of all matters and functions pertaining to agricultural research conducted or funded by the Department involving biotechnology, including the development and implementation of guidelines for oversight of research activities, acting as liaison on all matters and functions pertaining to agricultural research in biotechnology between agencies within the Department and between the Department and other governmental, educational, or private organizations and carrying out any other activities authorized by (7 U.S.C. 3121).

(xxxviii) [Reserved]

(xxxix) Establish and oversee the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (7 U.S.C. 3123).

(xl) Provide and distribute information and data about Federal, State, local, and other Rural Development Assistance Programs and services available to individuals and organizations. To the extent possible, NAL shall use telecommunications technology to disseminate such information to rural areas (7 U.S.C. 3125b).

(xli) Assemble and collect food and nutrition educational material, including the results of nutrition research, training methods, procedures, and other materials related to the purposes of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended; maintain such information; and provide for the dissemination of such information and materials on a regular basis to State educational agencies and other interested parties (7 U.S.C. 3126).

(xlii) Promote cooperation and coordination between 1862, 1890, 1994, and NLGCA Institutions, HSACUs, and cooperating forestry schools and international partner institutions in developing countries by exercising the Secretary's authority in 7 U.S.C. 3292, including coordinating with the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs to place interns from covered institutions in, or in service to benefit, developing countries.

(xliv) Promote and strengthen higher education in the food and agricultural sciences; administer grants to colleges and universities; maintain a national food and agricultural education information system; conduct programs regarding the evaluation of teaching programs and continuing education; administer the National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards Program to recognize and promote excellence in teaching, extension, and research in the food and agricultural sciences; administer programs relating to secondary education and 2-year postsecondary education, including grants to public secondary schools, institutions of higher education that award an associate's degree, other institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations; and report to Congress on the distribution of funds to carry out such teaching programs (7 U.S.C. 3152).

(xlv) Administer a next generation agriculture technology challenge competition to incentivize mobile technology that removes marketplace entry barriers for beginning farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 3158).

(xlvi) Administer the National Agricultural Science Award for research or advanced studies in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3153).

(xlvii) [Reserved]

(xlviii) Administer a National Food and Human Nutrition Research and Extension Program (7 U.S.C. 3171-3173, 3175).

(xlix) Administer and direct an Animal Health and Disease Research Program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3191-3201).

(l) Support continuing agricultural and forestry extension and research at 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University (7 U.S.C. 3221, 3222, 3222d).

(li) Administer grants to 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, through Federal-grant funds to help finance research facilities and equipment including agricultural libraries (7 U.S.C. 3223).

(lii) Establish and administer competitive grants to Hispanic-serving Institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening the ability of Hispanic-serving Institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs (7 U.S.C. 3241).

(liii) Provide policy direction and coordinate the Department's work with national and international institutions and other persons throughout the world in the performance of agricultural research, extension, teaching, and development activities; administer a program of competitive grants for collaborative projects involving Federal scientists or scientists from colleges and universities working with scientists at international agricultural research centers in other nations focusing either on new technologies and programs for increasing the production of food and fiber or training scientists and a program of competitive grants to colleges and universities to strengthen United States economic competitiveness and to promote international market development; establish a program in coordination with the Foreign Agricultural Service to place interns from United States colleges and universities at Foreign Agricultural Service field offices overseas; and provide a biennial report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate on efforts of the Federal Government to coordinate international agricultural research within the Federal Government, and to more effectively link the activities of domestic and international agricultural researchers, particularly researchers of the Agricultural Research Service (7 U.S.C. 3291, 3292b).

(liv) Provide for an agricultural research and development program with the United States/Mexico Foundation for Science (7 U.S.C. 3292a).

(lv) Administer grants to 1890 Institutions, including Tuskegee University, for purposes of awarding scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3222a).

(lvi) Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to further research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and agriculture sciences (7 U.S.C. 3318).

(lvii) Enter into cost-reimbursable agreements with State cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities for the acquisition of goods or services in support of research, extension, or teaching activities in the food and agricultural sciences, including the furtherance of library and related information programs (7 U.S.C. 3319a).

(lviii) Conduct research and development and implement a program for the development of supplemental and alternative crops (7 U.S.C. 3319d).

(lix) Administer an Aquaculture Assistance Program, involving centers, by making grants to eligible institutions for research and extension to facilitate or expand production and marketing of aquacultural food species and products; making grants to States to formulate Aquaculture development plans for the production and marketing of aquacultural species and products; and conducting a program of research, extension and demonstration at aquacultural demonstration centers (7 U.S.C. 3321-22).

(lx) Administer a Cooperative Rangeland Research Program (7 U.S.C. 3331-3336).

(lxi) Conduct a program of basic research on cancer in animals and birds (7 U.S.C. 3902).

(lxii) Design and implement educational programs and distribute materials in cooperation with the cooperative extension services of the States emphasizing the importance of productive farmland, and designate a farmland information center, pursuant to section 1544 of the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. 4205).

(lxiii) Make competitive grants to land-grant colleges and universities, including 1994 Institutions, to provide identifiable support specifically targeted for Tribal students (7 U.S.C. 3222e).

(lxiv) Administer programs and conduct projects for research, extension, and education on sustainable agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5811-5813).

(lxv) Conduct research and cooperative extension programs to optimize crop and livestock production potential, integrated resource management, and integrated crop management (7 U.S.C. 5821).

(lxvi) Develop and make available handbooks, technical guides, and other educational materials emphasizing sustainable agriculture production systems and practices; carry out activities related to a national training program for sustainable agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5831, 5832).

(lxvii) Administer competitive grants for the acquisition of special purpose scientific research equipment for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs of eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 3310a).

(lxviii) Administer a national research program on genetic resources to provide for the collection, preservation, and dissemination of genetic material important to American food and agriculture production (7 U.S.C. 5841-5844).

(lxix) Conduct remote-sensing and other weather-related research (7 U.S.C. 5852).

(lxx) Establish an Agricultural Weather Office and administer a national agricultural weather information system, including a competitive grants program for research in atmospheric sciences and climatology (7 U.S.C. 5852-5853).

(lxxi) Administer a research and extension grant program to States to administer programs for State agricultural weather information systems (7 U.S.C. 5854).

(lxxii) Establish a National Plant Diagnostic Network to monitor and surveil through diagnostics threats to plant health from diseases or pests of concern in the United States, and establish cooperative agreements with land-grant colleges and universities (7 U.S.C. 8914(c)).

(lxxiii) Establish a National Plant Disease Recovery System to engage in strategic long-range planning to recover from high-consequence plant transboundary diseases (7 U.S.C. 8914(d)).

(lxxiv)-(lxxvi) [Reserved]

(lxxvii) Administer research programs and grants for risk assessment research to address concerns about the environmental effects of biotechnology (7 U.S.C. 5921).

(lxxviii) In consultation with the Secretary of Energy, administer competitive grants to provide education about carbon utilization and biogas (7 U.S.C. 8115).

(lxxix) Conduct a research initiative known as the Agricultural Genome Initiative, and make grants or enter into cooperative agreements on a competitive basis to carry out the Initiative (7 U.S.C. 5924).

(lxxx) Administer a competitive high priority research and extension grants program in specified subject areas (7 U.S.C. 5925), including pollinator activities (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)) not otherwise delegated to the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs in § 2.22(a)(2)(xli); prepare an annual report to Congress regarding pollinator issues (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)(5)).

(lxxxi) [Reserved]

(lxxxii) Administer competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 5925b).

(lxxxiii) In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee, administer competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities for the purposes of facilitating the development of urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, packaging, distribution, and markets (7 U.S.C. 5925g).

(lxxxiv) Formulate and carry out the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Act program authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (7 U.S.C. 3151a).

(lxxxv)-(xc) [Reserved]

(xci) Administer education programs on Indian reservations and tribal jurisdictions (7 U.S.C. 5930).

(xcii) [Reserved]

(xciii) Administer a demonstration grants program for support of an assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities (7 U.S.C. 5933).

(xciv)-(xcvi) [Reserved]

(xcvii) Administer the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 for USDA (15 U.S.C. 638(e)-(k)).

(xcviii) Coordinate Departmental policies under the Toxic Substance Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601-2629).

(xcix) Provide educational and technical assistance in implementing and administering the Conservation Reserve Program authorized in sections 1231-1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Pub. L. No. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1509 (16 U.S.C. 3831-3844)).

(c) Enter into cooperative research and development agreements with industry, universities, and others; institute a cash award program to reward scientific, engineering, and technical personnel; award royalties to inventors; and retain and use royalty income (15 U.S.C. 3710a-3710c).

(ci) Coordinate USDA activities delegated under 15 U.S.C. 3710a-3710c.

(cii) Conduct educational and demonstrational work in Cooperative Farm Forestry Programs (16 U.S.C. 568).

(ciii) Administer a cooperative forestry program in accordance with the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act, and administer a competitive forestry, natural resources, and environmental grant program (16 U.S.C. 582a-582-8).

(civ) Establish and administer the Forestry Student Grant Program to provide competitive grants to assist the expansion of the professional education of forestry, natural resources, and environmental scientists (16 U.S.C. 1649).

(cv) Provide for an expanded and comprehensive extension program for forest and rangeland renewable resources (16 U.S.C. 1671-1676).

(cvi) Provide technical, financial, and educational assistance to State foresters and State extension directors on rural forestry assistance (16 U.S.C. 2102).

(cvii) Provide educational assistance to State foresters under the Forest Stewardship Program (16 U.S.C. 2103a).

(cviii) Implement and conduct an educational program to assist the development of Urban and Community Forestry Programs (16 U.S.C. 2105).

(cix) Provide staff support to the Secretary of Agriculture in his or her role as permanent Chair for the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture established by the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 and coordinate aquacultural activities within the Department (16 U.S.C. 2805).

(cx) Perform research, development, and extension activities in aquaculture (16 U.S.C. 2804 and 2806).

(cxi) Administer an experienced services program to obtain technical, professional, and administrative services to support the research, education, and economics mission area of the Department (16 U.S.C. 3851).

(cxii) Copy and deliver on demand selected articles and other materials from the Department's collections by photographic reproduction or other means within the permissions, constraints, and limitations of sections 106, 107, and 108 of the Copyright Act of October 19, 1976, (17 U.S.C. 106, 107, and 108).

(cxiii) Authorize the use of the 4-H Club name and emblem (18 U.S.C. 707).

(cxiv) Maintain a National Arboretum for the purposes of research and education concerning tree and plant life, and order disbursements from the Treasury, in accordance with the Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 191 et seq.).

(cxv) Conduct research on foot-and-mouth disease and other animal diseases (21 U.S.C. 113a).

(cxvi) [Reserved]

(cxvii) Obtain and furnish Federal excess property to eligible recipients for use in the conduct of research and extension programs (40 U.S.C. 525(c)).

(cxviii) Conduct research demonstration and promotion activities related to farm dwellings and other buildings for the purposes of reducing costs and adapting and developing fixtures and appurtenances for more efficient and economical farm use (42 U.S.C. 1476(b)).

(cxix)-(cxx) [Reserved]

(cxxi) Administer a Cooperative Agricultural Extension Program related to agriculture, uses of solar energy with respect to agriculture, home economics, and rural energy in the District of Columbia (D.C. Code 38-1202.09).

(cxxii) [Reserved]

(cxxiii) Exercise the responsibilities of the Secretary under regulations dealing with Equal Employment Opportunity in the Cooperative Extension Service (part 18 of this title).

(cxxiv) Represent the Department on the Federal Interagency Committee on Education.

(cxxv) Assure the acquisition, preservation, and accessibility of all information concerning food and agriculture by providing leadership to and coordination of the acquisition programs and related activities of the library and information systems, with the agencies of USDA, other Federal departments and agencies, State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, and other research institutions and organizations.

(cxxvi) Formulate, write, or prescribe bibliographic and technically related standards for the library and information services of USDA (7 U.S.C. 3125a et seq.).

(cxxvii) Determine by survey or other appropriate means, the information needs of the Department's scientific, professional, technical, and administrative staffs, its constituencies, and the general public in the areas of food, agriculture, the environment, and other related areas.

(cxxviii) Represent the Department on all library and information science matters before Congressional Committees and appropriate commissions, and provide representation to the coordinating committees of the Federal and State governments concerned with library and information science activities.

(cxxix) Represent the Department in international organizational activities and on international technical committees concerned with agricultural science, education, and development activities, including library and information science activities.

(cxxx) Prepare and disseminate computer files, indexes and abstracts, bibliographies, reviews, and other analytical information tools.

(cxxxi) Arrange for the consolidated purchasing and dissemination of printed and automated indexes, abstracts, journals, and other widely used information resources and services.

(cxxxii) Provide assistance and support to professional organizations and others concerned with library and information science matters and issues.

(cxxxiii) Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Administrator of General Services to the Secretary of Agriculture in 34 FR 6406, 36 FR 1293, 36 FR 18440, and 38 FR 23838, appoint uniformed armed guards and special policemen, make all needful rules and regulations, and annex to such rules and regulations such reasonable penalties (not to exceed those prescribed in 40 U.S.C. 318(c), as will ensure their enforcement, for the protection of persons, property, buildings, and grounds of the Arboretum, Washington, DC; the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE; the Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD; and the Animal Disease Center, Plum Island, NY, over which the United States has exclusive or concurrent criminal jurisdiction, in accordance with the limitations and requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.), the Act of June 1, 1948, as amended (40 U.S.C. 318 et seq.), and the policies, procedures, and controls prescribed by the General Services Administration. Any rules or regulations promulgated under this authority shall be approved by the Director, Office of Operations, and the General Counsel prior to issuance.

(cxxxiv) Represent the Department on the National Science and Technology Council.

(cxxxv) Administer the Department's Patent Program except as delegated to the General Counsel in § 2.31(a)(5).

(cxxxvi) Review cooperative research and development agreements entered into pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 3710a-3710c, with authority to disapprove or require the modification of any such agreement.

(cxxxvii) Establish and administer a 1994 Institutions Endowment Fund and to enter into agreements necessary to do this (Section 533(b) and (c) of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).

(cxxxviii) Make grants in equal amounts to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions to be used in the same manner as is prescribed for colleges under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), and subject to the requirements of such Act (Section 534(a) of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).

(cxxxix) Make competitive Institutional Capacity Building Grants to assist 1994 Land-Grant Institutions with constructing, acquiring, and remodeling buildings, laboratories, and other capital facilities (including fixtures and equipment) necessary to conduct instructional activities more effectively in agriculture and sciences (Section 535 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).

(cxl) Make competitive grants to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions to conduct agricultural research that addresses high priority concerns of tribal, national, or multistate significance (Section 536 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).

(cxli) Implement and administer the Community Food Projects Program under section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034).

(cxlii) In consultation with the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, administer pilot projects to encourage the use of public-private partnerships committed to addressing food insecurity (7 U.S.C. 2036d).

(cxliii) Coordinate the Department of Agriculture summer intern program pursuant to section 922 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act (7 U.S.C. 2279c).

(cxliv) Develop and carry out a system to monitor and evaluate agricultural research and extension activities conducted or supported by the Department that will enable the Secretary to measure the impact and effectiveness of research, extension, and education programs according to priorities, goals, and mandates established by law. Conduct a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art information technology systems for use in developing the system (7 U.S.C. 3129).

(cxlv)-(cxlvi) [Reserved]

(cliii) Establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review of each agricultural research grant administered on a competitive basis, and for relevancy and merit review of each agricultural research, extension, or education grant administered on a competitive basis, by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)).

(cl) Provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.).

(cli) Ensure that agricultural research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service, and agricultural research, extension, or education activities administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture on a competitive basis address a concern that is a priority and has national, multistate, or regional significance (7 U.S.C. 7611).

(clii) Solicit and consider input and recommendations from persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or education and, after consultation with appropriate subcabinet officials, establish priorities for agricultural research, extension, and education activities conducted or funded by the Department; promulgate regulations concerning implementation of a process for obtaining stakeholder input at 1862, 1890, and 1994 Institutions and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; and ensure that federally supported and conducted agricultural research, extension, and education activities are accomplished in accord with identified management principles (7 U.S.C. 7612).

(cliii) Establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review of each agricultural research grant administered on a competitive basis, and for merit review of each agricultural extension or education grant administered, on a competitive basis, by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)).

(cliv) Consider the results of the annual review performed by the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board regarding the relevance to priorities of the funding of all agricultural research, extension, or education activities conducted or funded by the Department and the adequacy of funding, when formulating each request for proposals, and evaluating proposals, involving an agricultural research, extension, or education activity funded, on a competitive basis, by the Department; and solicit and consider input from persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or education regarding the prior year's request for proposals for each activity funded on a competitive basis (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)).

(clv) Establish, in consultation with appropriate subcabinet officials, procedures to ensure scientific peer review of all research activities conducted by the Department (7 U.S.C. 7613(d)).

(clvi) Require a procedure to be established by each 1862, 1890, and 1994 Institution and Hispanic-serving agricultural college and university, for merit review of each agricultural research and extension activity funded and review of the activity in accordance with the procedure (7 U.S.C. 7613(e)).

(clvii)-(clix) [Reserved]

(clx) Coordinate the resources of the Department to develop, commercialize, and promote the use of biobased products, and enter into cooperative agreements with private entities to operate pilot plants and other large-scale preparation facilities under which the facilities and technical expertise of the Agricultural Research Service may be made available (7 U.S.C. 7624).

(clxi) [Reserved]

(clxii) Administer competitive grants for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, education, and extension activities (7 U.S.C. 7626).

(clxiii) Administer a coordinated program of research, extension, and education to improve the competitiveness, viability, and sustainability of small and medium size dairy, livestock, and poultry operations (7 U.S.C. 7627).

(clxiv) Administer grants to consortia of land-grant colleges and universities to enhance the ability of the consortia to carry out multi-State research projects aimed at understanding and combating diseases of wheat, triticale, and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum and related fungi or Tilletia indica and related fungi (7 U.S.C. 7628).

(clxv) Operate and administer the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with appropriate colleges or universities (7 U.S.C. 7642).

(clxvi) Update on a periodic basis, nutrient composition data and report to Congress the method that will be used to update the data and the timing of the update (7 U.S.C. 7651).

(clxvii) Establish and maintain a Food Safety Research Information Office at the National Agricultural Library to provide to the research community and the general public information on publicly and privately funded food safety research initiatives (7 U.S.C. 7654(a)).

(clxviii) Develop a national program of safe food handling education for adults and young people to reduce the risk of food-borne illness (7 U.S.C. 7655).

(clxix) Conduct a performance evaluation to determine whether federally funded agricultural research, extension, and education programs result in public goods that have national or multistate significance, including through a contract with one or more entities to provide input and recommendations with respect to federally funded agricultural research, extension, and education programs (7 U.S.C. 7671).

(clxx) [Reserved]

(clxxi) Take a census of agriculture in 1998 and every fifth year thereafter pursuant to the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997, Public Law 105-113 (7 U.S.C. 2204g); ensure that the census of agriculture documents the number, location, and economic contributions of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers in agricultural production (7 U.S.C. 2279(h)).

(clxxii) Cooperate with other Federal agencies (including the National Science Foundation) in issuing joint requests for proposals, awarding grants, and administering grants under any competitive agricultural research, education, or extension grant program (7 U.S.C. 3319b).

(clxxiii) Administer a program of competitive grants, establish education teams, and establish an online clearinghouse of curricula and training materials and programs, all for training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for the benefit of beginning farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 2279d).

(clxxiv) Administer agricultural research, education, and extension activities (including through competitive grants), using any authority available to the Secretary, to reduce the vulnerability of the United States food and agricultural system to chemical or biological attack, to continue partnerships with institutions of higher education and other institutions to help form stable, long-term programs to enhance the biosecurity of the United States, to make competitive grants to universities and qualified research institutions for research on counterbioterrorsims, and to counter or otherwise respond to chemical or biological attack (7 U.S.C. 3351).

(clxxv) Administer a program of competitive grants to colleges and universities for expansion and security upgrades to enhance the security of agriculture against bioterrorism threats (7 U.S.C. 3352).

(clxxvi) Administer programs for distance education grants and resident instruction grants to eligible institutions in insular areas that have demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and extension programs in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3361-3363).

(clxxvii) [Reserved]

(clxxviii) Administer a program of cooperative research (including through competitive award of grants and cooperative agreements to colleges and universities) and extension projects on carbon cycling in soils and plants, the exchange of other greenhouse gases from agriculture, and the carbon sequestration benefits of conservation practices (7 U.S.C. 6711).

(clxxix) [Reserved]

(clxxx) Administer a program of grants to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the National 4-H Council, and the National FFA Organization to establish pilot projects to expand the programs carried out by the organizations in rural areas and small towns (7 U.S.C. 7630).

(clxxxi) Oversee implementation of the termination of Federal schedule A civil service appointments of State agricultural extension employees at land-grant colleges and universities (section 7220 of Pub. L. 107-171).

(clxxxii) Administer a program of grants to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (section 10805 of Pub. L. 107-171).

(clxxxiii) Administer grants to assist the land-grant university in the District of Columbia to acquire, alter, or repair facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research (7 U.S.C. 3222b-1).

(clxxxiv) Administer grants to assist the land-grant colleges and universities in insular areas to acquire, alter, or repair facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research; and to support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, including pest and disease research (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2).

(clxxxv) Enter into agreements necessary to administer an Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Fund; enter into agreements necessary to administer a program of making annual payments to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; administer an institutional capacity-building grants program for Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; administer a competitive grants program to fund fundamental and applied research and extension at Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities and to award competitive grants to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities to provide for training in the food and agricultural sciences of Hispanic agricultural workers and Hispanic youth working in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3243).

(clxxxvi) Administer the New Era Rural Technology Program to make grants for technology development, applied research, and training to aid in the development of an agriculture-based renewable energy workforce (7 U.S.C. 3319e).

(clxxxvii) Administer a competitive grants program to assist NLGCA Institutions in maintaining and expanding capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines (7 U.S.C. 3319i).

(clxxxviii) [Reserved]

(clxxxix) Administer a competitive research and extension grants program to improve the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers and establish and maintain a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management (7 U.S.C. 5925f).

(cxc) Administer the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (7 U.S.C. 7632).

(cxci) Exchange, sell, or otherwise dispose of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products, and use the sale or other proceeds to acquire such items or to offset costs related to the maintenance, care, or feeding of such items (7 U.S.C. 2241a).

(cxcii) Establish and administer a pilot program at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and National Agricultural Library to lease nonexcess property (7 U.S.C. 3125a note).

(cxciii) Lease land at the Grazinglands Research Laboratory at El Reno, Oklahoma, pursuant to section 7503 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246).

(cxciv) Administer a competitive research and education grants program relating to antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (7 U.S.C. 3202).

(cxcv) Administer a competitive grants program to establish and maintain a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (7 U.S.C. 5936).

(cxcvi) [Reserved]

(cxcvii) Administer a natural products research program (7 U.S.C. 5937).

(cxcviii) Administer a Sun Grants Program (7 U.S.C. 8114).

(cxcix) [Reserved]

(cc) Administer a competitive grant program to support the development and expansion of advanced training programs in agricultural biosecurity planning and response for food science professionals and veterinarians (7 U.S.C. 8913).

(cci) Administer the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (7 U.S.C. 8108(e)); consult and coordinate, as appropriate, with the Under Secretary for RD and other mission areas of the Department as deemed necessary in carrying the authorities delegated herein; serve as the designated point of contact referenced in 7 U.S.C. 8108 for the Department for purposes of administering the Biomass Research and Development Initiative.

(ccii) Administer a competitive grants program to encourage basic and applied research and the development of qualified agricultural countermeasures (7 U.S.C. 8921).

(cciii) Administer a competitive grants program to promote the development of teaching programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and disciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture system to increase the number of trained individuals with an expertise in agricultural biosecurity (7 U.S.C. 8922).

(cciv) Administer a program of providing grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and Native Hawaiian serving institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening the ability of those institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs (7 U.S.C. 3156).

(ccv) Administer a competitive grant program for national food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance (7 U.S.C. 7625).

(ccvi) Administer a food insecurity nutrition incentive program (7 U.S.C. 7517).

(ccvii) Administer a food and agriculture service learning grant program (7 U.S.C. 7633).

(ccviii) Administer a veterinary services grant program (7 U.S.C. 3151b).

(ccix) Enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other legal instruments with former Department of Agriculture agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 3315(b)).

(ccx) Administer a forestry and forestry products research and extension initiative (7 U.S.C. 7655b).

(ccxi) Submit to Congress an annual report describing agricultural research, extension, and education activities carried out by the Federal Government (7 U.S.C. 7614c(f)).

(ccxii) Enter into cooperative agreements with institutions of higher education regarding the dissemination of agricultural and food law research, legal tools, and information (7 U.S.C. 3125a-1).

(ccxiii) Consult with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research regarding the identification of existing and proposed Federal intramural and extramural research and development programs relating to the purposes of the Foundation and the coordination of Foundation activities with those programs for the purpose of minimizing duplication of existing efforts and avoiding conflicts (7 U.S.C. 5939(d)(1)(B)).

(i) Sections 104 (a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604 (a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;

(ii) Sections 104(e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(e)-(h)), with respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;

(iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with respect to the reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;

(iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required to conduct a remedial action;

(v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(d)), with respect to petitions for preliminary assessment of a release or threatened release;

(vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) pertaining to the annual report to Congress;

(vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing information;

(viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous Substances Superfund;

(ix) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially responsible parties;

(x) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;

(xi) Sections 117 (a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617 (a) and (c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, including any settlement or consent decree entered into;

(xii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9119), with respect to indemnifying response action contractors;

(xiii) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to cleanup standards; and

(xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(1)), related to mixed funding agreements.

(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);

(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);

(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);

(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);

(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and

(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(i) Administer a National Food and Human Nutrition Research Program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended. As used herein the term “research” includes:

(ii) The authority in paragraph (a)(7)(i) of this section includes the authority to:

(iii) Conduct, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program. Included in this delegation is the authority to:

(iv) [Reserved]

(v) Co-chair with the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, the Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research for the development and coordination of a Ten-Year Comprehensive Plan as required by Pub. L. No. 101-445, 7 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.

(i) Conduct economic research on matters of importance to cooperatives as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627).

(ii) Conduct economic and social science research and analyses relating to:

(iii) [Reserved]

(iv) Prepare crop and livestock estimates and administer reporting programs, including estimates of production, supply, price, and other aspects of the U.S. agricultural economy, collection of statistics, conduct of enumerative and objective measurement surveys, construction and maintenance of sampling frames, and related activities. Prepare reports of the Agricultural Statistics Board covering official state and national estimates (7 U.S.C. 476, 951, and 2204).

(v) Take such security precautions as are necessary to prevent disclosure of crop or livestock report information prior to the scheduled issuance time approved in advance by the Secretary of Agriculture and take such actions as are necessary to avoid disclosure of confidential data or information supplied by any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association (18 U.S.C. 1902, 1903, and 2072).

(vi) Improve statistics in the Department; maintain liaison with OMB and other Federal agencies for coordination of statistical methods and techniques.

(vii) Investigate and make findings as to the effect upon the production of food and upon the agricultural economy of any proposed action pending before the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for presentation in the public interest, before said Administrator, other agencies, or before the courts.

(viii) Review economic data and analyses used in speeches by Department personnel and in materials prepared for release through the press, radio, and television.

(ix) Coordinate all economic analysis and review all decisions involving substantial economic policy implications.

(x) Cooperate and work with national and international institutions and other persons throughout the world in the performance of agricultural research and extension activities to promote and support the development of a viable and sustainable global and agricultural system. Such work may be carried out by:

(xi) Collect and, not less frequently than once every 3 years report, data and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 2204i).

(xii) Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to further research and statistical reporting programs in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3318).

(xiii) Enter into cost-reimbursable agreements relating to agricultural research and statistical reporting (7 U.S.C. 3319a).

(xiv) Conduct surveys and analysis and publish reports relating to organic production, handling, distribution, retail, and trend studies (including consumer purchasing patterns); develop surveys and report statistical analysis on organically produced agricultural products (7 U.S.C. 5925c).

(xv) Assist the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs with respect to Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting (7 U.S.C. 1637-1637b).

(xvi) Include in each issuance of projections of net farm income an estimate of the net farm income earned by commercial producers in the United States that will in addition show the estimate of net farm income attributable to commercial producers of livestock, loan commodities, and agricultural commodities other than loan commodities (7 U.S.C. 7998).

(xvii) Ensure that studies carried out by the Economic Research Service document the number, location, and economic contributions of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers in agricultural production (7 U.S.C. 2279(h)).

(xviii) Coordinate implementation of section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding locally or regionally produced agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).

(i) Serve on the USDA Hazardous Materials Policy Council.

(ii) Recommend actions and policies that enable USDA agencies under his or her authority to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of environmental laws for pollution prevention, control, and abatement.

(iii) Consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal agencies in developing pollution prevention, control, and abatement policies and programs relating to agencies under his or her authority.

(i) Provide to the Secretary information on topics that can benefit from scientific input to ensure informed decision-making at the highest levels of Government.

(ii) Facilitate the coordination and collaboration within the Department on high priority science issues that will benefit from intra-Departmental collaboration, including coordinating the assessment of the relevance, quality, performance, and impact of the Department's efforts in science.

(iii) Build partnerships within the scientific community by serving as a point of contact for interactions with other agencies of science, universities, and other external members of the scientific community for the purpose of leveraging and promoting relationships to explore common scientific interests and shared goals.

(iv) Develop mechanisms to address scientific integrity within the Department.

(v) Serve as Chair of the USDA Science Council.

(i)-(iii) [Reserved]

(iv) Final concurrence in Equal Employment Opportunity Programs within the cooperative extension programs submitted under part 18 of this title.

(i) Final approval and issuance of the crop and livestock reports.

(ii) Final action on rules and regulations for the agricultural statistics board.

(i) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture contained in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), including payments to State Departments of Agriculture in connection with cooperative marketing service projects under section 204(b) (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), but excepting matters otherwise assigned.

(ii) Conduct marketing efficiency research and development activities directly applicable to the conduct of the Wholesale Market Development Program, specifically:

(iii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to the transportation activities contained in section 203(j) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(j)) as amended, but excepting matters otherwise assigned.

(iv) Administer transportation activities under section 201 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1291).

(v) Apply results of economic research and operations analysis to evaluate transportation issues and to recommend revisions of current procedures.

(vi) Serve as the focal point for all Department transportation matters including development of policies and strategies.

(vii) Cooperate with other Departmental agencies in the development and recommendation of policies for inland transportation of USDA and CCC-owned commodities in connection with USDA programs.

(viii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the following legislation:

(ix) Furnish, on request, copies of programs, pamphlets, reports, or other publications for missions or programs as may otherwise be delegated or assigned to the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and charge user fees therefor, as authorized by section 1121 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, as amended by section 1769 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2242a.

(x) [Reserved]

(xi) Administer a program for Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting (7 U.S.C. 1637-1637b), with the assistance of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

(xii) Assist the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs with implementing section 3205 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (22 U.S.C. 7112 note) regarding the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products.

(xiii) Assist the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics with implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding locally or regionally produced agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).

(xiv) Administer the U.S. Warehouse Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 241-273), and perform compliance examinations for Agricultural Marketing Services programs.

(xv) Administer commodity procurement and supply, transportation (other than from point of export, except for movement to trust territories or possessions), handling, payment, and related services in connection with programs under titles II and III of Public Law 480 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701, et seq.) and section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1), and payment and related services with respect to export programs and barter operations.

(xvi) Administer the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills program (7 U.S.C.

(xvii) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, administer payments under the Special Competitive Provisions for Extra Long Staple Cotton (7 U.S.C. 9038).

(i) Administer the Foreign Service personnel system for employees of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 3922, except that this delegation does not include the authority to represent the Department of Agriculture in interagency consultations and negotiations with other foreign affairs agencies regarding joint regulations, nor the authority to approve joint regulations issued by the Department of State relating to administration of the Foreign Service;

(ii) The Terminal Inspection Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 7760);

(iii) The Honeybee Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 281-286);

(iv) Section 18 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, as amended, as it pertains to the issuance of certificates of condition of live animals intended and offered for export (21 U.S.C. 618);

(v) The responsibilities of the United States under the International Plant Protection Convention;

(vi) (Laboratory) Animal Welfare Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131-2159);

(vii) Horse Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1821-1831);

(viii) 28 Hour Law, as amended (49 U.S.C. 80502);

(ix) Export Animal Accommodation Act, as amended (46 U.S.C. 3901-3902);

(x) Purebred Animal Duty Free Entry Provisions of Tariff Act of June 17, 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1202, part 1, Item 100.01);

(xi) Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (21 U.S.C. 151-159).

(xii) Conduct diagnostic and related activities necessary to prevent, detect, control or eradicate foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases (21 U.S.C. 113a);

(xiii) The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, sections 203, 205, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624), with respect to voluntary inspection and certification of animal products; inspection, testing, treatment, and certification of animals; and a program to investigate and develop solutions to the problems resulting from the use of sulfonamides in swine;

(xiv) Talmadge Aiken Act (7 U.S.C. 1633) with respect to cooperation with States in control and eradication of plant and animal diseases and pests;

(xv) The Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2801 note; 2814).

(xvi) The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544);

(xvii) Executive Order 11987, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 116;

(xviii) Section 101(d), Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 398);

(xix) The Swine Health Protection Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3801-3813);

(xx) Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3371-3378);

(xxi) Title III (and title IV to the extent that it relates to activities under title III,) of the Federal Seed Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1581-1610);

(xxii) Authority to prescribe the amounts of commuted traveltime allowances and the circumstances under which such allowances may be paid to employees covered by the Act of August 28, 1950 (7 U.S.C. 2260);

(xxiii) The Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 8351-8352);

(xxiv) The Act of December 22, 1987 (7 U.S.C. 8353);

(xxv) Authority to work with developed and transitional countries on agricultural and related research and extension, with respect to animal and plant health, including providing technical assistance, training, and advice to persons from such countries engaged in such activities and the stationing of scientists of national and international institutions in such countries (7 U.S.C. 3291(a)(3));

(xxvi) Authority to prescribe and collect fees under the Act of August 31, 1951, as amended (31 U.S.C. 9701), and sections 2508 and 2509 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (21 U.S.C. 136, 136a), as amended;

(xxvii) The provisions of 35 U.S.C. 156;

(xxviii) Enter into cooperative research and development agreements with industry, universities, and others; institute a cash award program to reward scientific, engineering, and technical personnel; award royalties to inventors; and retain and use royalty income (15 U.S.C. 3710a-3710c); and

(xxix) The Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act of 1992 (39 U.S.C. 3015 note).

(xxx) Sections 901-905 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note).

(xxxi) Plant Protection Act (Title IV, Pub. L. 106-224, 114 Stat. 438, 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772).

(xxxii) Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301-8317).

(xxxiii) Section 10504 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8318).

(xxxiv) Title V of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 2279e and 2279f).

(xxxv) The responsibilities of the United States related to activities of the Office of International des Epizooties.

(xxxvi) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).

(xxxvii) Section 7524 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (21 U.S.C. 113a note), except for the suspension, revocation, or other impairment of a permit issued under that section.

(xxxviii) Section 10202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7761).

(xxxix) Section 10204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7701 note).

(xl) Section 14216 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246).

(xli) Section 1672(g)(3) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)(3)) regarding honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance.

(xlii) Section 12309 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding produce represented as grown in the United States (19 U.S.C. 1304a).

(xliii) Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322).

(xliv) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Section 2408 relating to the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (7 U.S.C. 8351 note),

(xlv) Section 12203(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 relating to diseases and pests of concern (7 U.S.C. 8914(b)).

(xlvi) Section 12601 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 relating to baiting of migratory game birds (16 U.S.C. 704 note).

(i) Exercise the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture contained in the U.S. Grain Standards Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 71-87h).

(ii) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture contained in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), relating to inspection and standardization activities relating to grain.

(iii) Administer the Packers and Stockyards Act, as amended and supplemented (7 U.S.C. 181-229).

(iv) Enforce provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1601-1655, 1681-1681t) with respect to any activities subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended and supplemented.

(v) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture contained in section 1324 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1631).

(vi) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned to the Secretary in section 11006 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 228 note), with respect to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921.

(i) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq.), concerning protection of livestock, poultry and crops and products thereof from biological and chemical warfare; and utilization or disposal of livestock and poultry exposed to radiation.

(ii) Title II, Subtitles B and C, of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401 note, 8401, 8411).

(i) Sections 104(a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;

(ii) Sections 104(e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(e)-(h)), with respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;

(iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with respect to the reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;

(iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required to conduct a remedial action;

(v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(d)), with respect to petitions for preliminary assessment of a release or threatened release;

(vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) pertaining to the annual report to Congress;

(vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing information;

(viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous Substances Superfund;

(ix) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially responsible parties;

(x) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;

(xi) Sections 117(a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617(a) and (c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, including any settlement or consent decree entered into;

(xii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9119), with respect to indemnifying response action contractors;

(xiii) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to cleanup standards; and

(xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(1)), related to mixed funding agreements.

(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);

(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);

(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);

(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);

(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and

(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(i) Serve on the USDA Hazardous Materials Policy Council.

(ii) Recommend actions and policies that enable USDA agencies under his or her authority to comply with the intent, purposes, and standards of environmental laws for pollution prevention, control, and abatement.

(iii) Consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate Federal agencies in developing pollution prevention, control, and abatement policies and programs relating to agencies under his or her authority.

(i) Promulgation, with the Secretary of the Treasury of joint regulations under section 402(b) of the Federal Seed Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1592(b)).

(ii) Appoint members of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board established by section 113(b) of the Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(b)).

(iii) Appoint members of the National Processor Advertising and Promotion Board established by section 1999H(b)(4) of the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6407(b)).

(iv) Appoint members of the Cotton Board established by section 7(a) of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2106(a));

(v) Appoint members of the Egg Board established by section 8(a) of the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 2707(a));

(vi) Appoint members of the Floraboard established by section 1707(1) of the Floral Research and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 4306(1));

(vii) Appoint members of the Honey Board established by section 7(c)(1) of the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 4606(c));

(viii) Appoint members of the Lime Board established by section 1955(b)(2) of the Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6204(b));

(ix) Appoint members of the Mushroom Council established by section 1925(b)(1)(B) of the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6104(b));

(x) Appoint members of the Pecan Marketing Board established by section 1910(b)(8)(E) of the Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6005(b));

(xi) Appoint members of the National Potato Promotion Board established by section 308(a)(4) of the Potato Research and Promotion Act as amended (7 U.S.C. 2617(a));

(xii) Appoint members of the National Watermelon Promotion Board established by section 1647(c) of the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act (7 U.S.C. 4906(c));

(xiii) Appoint members of the PromoFlor Council established by section 5(b) of the Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Act of 1993 (7 U.S.C. 6804(b));

(xiv) Appoint members of the National Kiwifruit Board established by section 555(c)(1) of the National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7464(c));

(xv) Appoint members of Popcorn Board established by section 575(b)(1) of the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7484(b));

(xvi) Appoint members of the Wheat Industry Council established by section 1706(a) of the Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act (7 U.S.C. 3405(a));

(xvii) Appoint members of the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board established by section 5(1) of the Beef Research and Information Act as amended (7 U.S.C. 2904(1));

(xviii) Appoint members of the National Pork Board established by section 1619(a)(1) of the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 4808(a));

(xix) Appoint members of the United Soybean Board established by section 1969(b)(1) of the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 6304(b));

(xx) Appoint members of the National Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Board established by section 5(b) of the Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7104(b)(1);

(xxi) Appoint members of the National Canola and Rapeseed Board established by section 535(b)(1) of the Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7444(b));

(xxii) Appoint members of boards established by section 515(b)(2)(A) of the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7414(b)).

(i) Determination that an emergency or extraordinary emergency exists under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8306, 8316).

(ii) Determination that an emergency or extraordinary emergency exists under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7715, 7772).

(iii) Approval of requests for apportionment of reserves for the control of outbreaks of insects, plant diseases, and animal diseases to the extent necessary to meet emergency conditions (31 U.S.C. 1512).

(iv) The suspension, revocation, or other impairment of a permit issued under section 7524 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (21 U.S.C. 113a note).

(i) Exercise responsibility for coordination of all congressional matters in the Department.

(ii) Maintain liaison with the Congress and the White House on legislative Matters of concern to the Department.

(i) Coordinate all programs involving intergovernmental affairs including State and local government relations and liaison with:

(ii) Maintain oversight of the activities of USDA representatives to the 10 Federal Regional councils.

(iii) Serve as the USDA contact with the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations for implementation of OMB Circular A-85 to provide advance notification to state and local governments of proposed changes in Department programs that affect such governments.

(iv) Act as the department representative for Federal executive board matters.