7 U.S.C. § 2204b : US Code - Section 2204B: Rural development policy

Search 7 U.S.C. § 2204b : US Code - Section 2204B: Rural development policy

(a) Coordination of nationwide rural development program using
services of executive branch departments and agencies and State
and local governments
The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide leadership within the
executive branch for, and shall assume responsibility for
coordinating, a nationwide rural development program using the
services of executive branch departments and agencies, including,
but not limited to, the agencies, bureaus, offices, and services of
the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with rural
development programs of State and local governments.
(b) Policy development; systematic review of Federal programs;
access to information; development of process to receive and
assess needs, goals, etc.; cooperative agreements to improve
Federal programs affecting rural areas; public hearings and
comments
(1) The Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of Federal
programs affecting rural areas to (A) determine whether such areas
are benefiting from such programs in an equitable proportion to the
benefits received by urban areas and (B) identify any factors that
may restrict accessibility to such programs in rural areas or limit
participation in such programs.
(2) Subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 [5 U.S.C. 552a], the
Secretary may secure directly from any Federal department or agency
information necessary to carry out the Secretary's duties under
this section. Upon request of the Secretary under this paragraph,
the head of any such Federal department or agency shall furnish
such information to the Secretary.
(3) The Secretary shall develop a process through which
multistate, State, substate, and local rural development needs,
goals, objectives, plans, and recommendations can be received and
assessed on a continuing basis. Such process may include the use of
those rural development experts, advisors, and consultants that the
Secretary deems appropriate, as well as the establishment of
temporary advisory committees under the terms of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act.
(4) Cooperative agreements. - 
(A) In general. - Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, the
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with other
Federal agencies, State and local governments, and any other
organization or individual to improve the coordination and
effectiveness of Federal programs, services, and actions
affecting rural areas, including the establishment and financing
of interagency groups, if the Secretary determines that the
objectives of the agreement will serve the mutual interest of the
parties in rural development activities.
(B) Cooperators. - Each cooperator, including each Federal
agency, to the extent that funds are otherwise available, may
participate in any cooperative agreement or working group
established pursuant to this paragraph by contributing funds or
other resources to the Secretary to carry out the agreement or
functions of the group.
(5) The Secretary may hold public hearings and receive comments
on any matter that the Secretary determines may have a significant
impact on rural development or the economic development of rural
communities.
(c) Rural development strategy and annual updates; preparation and
scope; purposes; time for updates; public hearings and
suggestions and recommendations; transmittal to Congressional
committees; analysis of budgetary considerations and factors;
evaluation and recommendations regarding implementation and
revisions
(1) The Secretary shall prepare a comprehensive rural development
strategy based on the needs, goals, objectives, plans, and
recommendations of local communities, substate areas, States, and
multistate regions, which is designed to - 
(A) maximize the effectiveness, increase the responsiveness,
and improve the delivery of Federal programs to rural areas;
(B) increase the coordination of Federal programs with the
development needs, objectives, and resources of local
communities, substate areas, States, and multistate regions; and
(C) achieve the most effective combinations of Federal, State,
and local resources to meet the needs of rural areas for orderly
growth and development.
(2) The rural development strategy shall take into account the
need to - 
(A) improve the economic well-being of all rural residents and
alleviate the problems of low income, elderly, minority, and
otherwise disadvantaged rural residents;
(B) improve the business and employment opportunities,
occupational training and employment services, health care
services, educational opportunities, energy utilization and
availability, housing, transportation, community services,
community facilities, water supplies, sewage and solid waste
management systems, credit availability, and accessibility to and
delivery of private and public financial resources in the
maintenance and creation of jobs in rural areas;
(C) improve State and local government management capabilities,
institutions, and programs related to rural development and
expand educational and training opportunities for State and local
officials, particularly in small rural communities;
(D) strengthen the family farm system; and
(E) maintain and protect the environment and natural resources
of rural areas.
(3) The rural development strategy developed under this
subsection shall be for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982,
and updated for each fiscal year thereafter.
(4) The Secretary shall hold public hearings and receive such
suggestions and recommendations as the Secretary deems appropriate
during the preparation of the rural development strategy and the
annual updates to the strategy.
(5) The rural development strategy and the annual updates to the
strategy shall be transmitted to the House Committee on Agriculture
and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry by
January 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning
of the appropriate fiscal year.
(6) The rural development strategy and each annual update of the
strategy shall contain an analysis of the budget recommendations of
the President for the fiscal year following the transmittal of the
strategy or update of the strategy and of all the available budget
projections of the President for subsequent fiscal years, and
projections regarding the budget that are relevant or essential to
the rural development policy and the rural development strategy
developed under this subsection. Each annual update shall also
contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the
Secretary regarding the implementation during the preceding fiscal
year of the rural development strategy, including any revisions of
the strategy, any recommended legislation to improve the rural
development effort of the Federal Government, and an evaluation of
and recommendations regarding the rural development information
system required under section 1926(a)(12) of this title.
(d) Strategy implementation; goals
The Secretary shall ensure the effective implementation of the
rural development strategy and maximize coordination of Federal
programs affecting rural areas through a systematic effort to - 
(1) improve communication and encourage cooperation among
Federal departments and agencies in the administration of rural
development programs;
(2) eliminate conflicts, duplication, and gaps in program
coverage, and resolve contradictions and inconsistencies in the
objectives, administration, and effects of rural development
programs;
(3) facilitate the sharing or common location of field offices
of Federal agencies administering similar or complementary
programs and unification of delivery systems, where feasible, to
maximize convenience and accessibility of such agencies and
programs to rural residents;
(4) facilitate and expedite joint funding of rural projects
through Federal programs;
(5) correct administrative problems in Federal programs that
delay or hinder the effective delivery of services, assistance,
or benefits to rural areas; and
(6) simplify, standardize, and reduce the complexity of
applications, reports, and other forms required under Federal
rural development programs.