Us Code § 3471 - Payments for land removed from production for conservation purposes; authorization of appropriations

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 3471 — Payments for land removed from production for conservation purposes; authorization of appropriations, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 3471. Payments for land removed from production for conservation purposes; authorization of appropriations

(a) The Secretary of Agriculture may enter into contracts to provide financial assistance in the form of payments to owners and operators of cropland located in counties where the soil normally freezes to a depth of at least four inches annually who remove such land from agricultural production for a period not to exceed one year for the purpose of installing enduring conservation measures which involve excavation of the soil. The payments under such contracts shall be in such amounts as determined by the Secretary to be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter but shall not exceed an amount equal to the number of acres of cropland removed from agricultural production for such purpose multiplied by 50 per centum of the typical annual rent, as determined by the Secretary, paid for similar land in the county. Financial assistance may not be provided under this section with respect to any conservation measure without the approval of the soil and water conservation district board for the district in which the land is located, and may not, in the aggregate, be provided in any year with respect to more than one-half of 1 per centum of the cropland in any county.

(b) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, such sums to remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 97–98, title XV, §1552, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1344.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle J (§§1550–1554) of title XV of Pub. L. 97–98, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1344, which enacted this subchapter and section 2273 of Title 7, Agriculture, and amended section 1236 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining. For complete classification of subtitle J to the Code, see Tables.

About This Section

16 U.S.C. § 3471 is part of Title 16 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 3471

What does United States Code § 3471 cover?

Section 3471 ("Payments for land removed from production for conservation purposes; authorization of appropriations") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 3471?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 3471" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 3471 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.