§ 752.7 - Use of designated acreage.

(a) The acreage designated under an agreement shall be maintained for the agreement period in a manner which will preserve, restore or improve the wetland character of the land. Persons entering into an agreement shall devote the adjacent land to conservation uses as specified in the agreement.

(b) The designated acreage shall not be drained, burned, filled, or otherwise used in a manner which would destroy the wetland character of the acreage, except that the provisions of this paragraph shall not prohibit the carrying out of management practices which are specified in a conservation plan for the farm which is developed in cooperation with the Soil and Water Conservation District in which the farm is located.

(c) The designated acreage shall not be used as a dumping area for draining other wetlands. However, the county committee may authorize the use of the designated area to receive limited drainage waters upon a determination that such use is consistent with the sound management of wetlands and is specified in the conservation plan for the farm.

(d) The designated acreage shall not be used: (1) As a source of irrigation water or as acreage for a set-aside, land diversion, acreage reduction or other program, or (2) to meet the conserving base acreage requirement for any other program.

(e) No crop shall be harvested from the designated acreage and such acreage shall not be grazed, except as may be specified in the conservation plan for the farm except that the designated acreage may be grazed in the first year of the agreement period prior to the date the agreement is approved.

(f) During periods of severe drought, haying of the designated acreage may be approved under specified conditions which are prescribed by the Deputy Administrator in consultation with the Secretary of Interior or his designee.

(g) The harvesting of timber products may be permitted but only in accordance with a Forest Management Plan which is included in the conservation plan and which is approved by the State forester or equivalent State official.