NRCS Procedures for Granting Equitable Relief

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues its final rule implementing the equitable relief authority and the procedures set forth at Section 1613 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the 2002 Act), relating to relief for participants for covered programs administered by NRCS. The relief applies to cases where the applicant for relief took action to the applicant's detriment based on action or advice from departmental officials. This rule also addresses situations where the participant simply, but in good faith, failed to fully comply with program requirements. The rule implements Section 1613 as it applies to NRCS administered conservation programs.