§ 704.12 - Obligations of the participant.

(a) All participants in the CRP must:

(1) Carry out the terms and conditions of the CRP Contract for a period of 10 crop years from the date the CRP Contract is entered into by the participant and CCC;

(2) Implement the conservation plan:

(i) The participant shall implement the conservation plan in accordance with the plan's scehdule of operation, unless and extension of time for practice completion is granted by the COC. Such as extension shall be granted only if the participant cannot fully implement the plan as scheduled for reasons beyond the participant's control; and

(ii) The participant shall establish temporary vegetative cover when required by the conservation plan or the COC to control soil erosion until permanent vegetative cover can be adequately established;

(3) Agree to reduction in the aggregate total of crop acreage bases, allotments, and quotas for the contract period for each farm which contains land which is the subject of the CRP Contract by an amount based upon the ratio between the total cropland acreage on such farm and the total acreage on such farm subject to the CRP Contract;

(4) Not undertake any action on other land under the participant's control during the contract period that tends to defeat the purpose of the CRP, including the production of any agricultural commodity on land subject to 7 CFR part 12 which sets forth the terms and conditions under which a person shall be determined ineligible for certain benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture because of the production of an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land or converted wetland;

(5) Not knowingly or willingly allow grazing, harvesting, or other commercial use of any crop from the cropland subject to the CRP Contract except for those periods of time in accordance with instructions issued by the Secretary in response to drought or similar emergency;

(6) Not knowingly or willingly allow harvesting, as Christmas trees or nursery stock, of any trees planted during the contract period on land subject to the CRP Contract;

(7) Maintain the vegetative cover and the required conservation practices on the land subject to the CRP Contract and take other actions that may be required by CCC to achieve the reduction in soil erosion necessary to maintain the production capability of the soil throughout the CRP Contract period; and

(8) Comply with the noxious weed laws of the applicable State on land subject to the CRP Contract.

(b) The participant and each other person signing the CRP Contract shall be jointly and severally responsible for compliance with the CRP Contract and the provisions of this part and for any refunds or payment adjustments which may be required for violation of any of the terms and conditions of the CRP Contract and the provisions of this part.