§ 1410.105 - Conservation priority areas.

(a) The watershed areas of the Chesapeake Bay region, Great Lakes region, and Long Island Sound region shall be considered as conservation priority areas for CRP purposes. The Deputy Administrator may designate other areas as conservation priority areas.

(b) State water quality agencies may submit an application for designation of other areas to the Deputy Administrator through the State ASC Committee.

(c) Watersheds shall be eligible for designation as a priority area only if the watershed has actual significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts related to activities of agricultural production.

(d) Conservation priority area designations expire after 5 years unless redesignated, except they may be withdrawn:

(1) Upon application by the appropriate State water quality agency; or

(2) By the Secretary, if such areas no longer contain actual and significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts in association with agricultural production activities.

(e) In those areas designated as priority areas, under this section, special emphasis will be placed to maximize water quality and habitat benefits of the implementation of the CRP by promoting a significant level of enrollment of lands within such designated watersheds in the program as determined, by the Deputy Administrator, to be appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the program.