In this subchapter:
((1)) ** Area plan** The term “area plan” means a resource conservation and use plan developed through a locally led planning process by a council for a designated area of 1 or more States, or of land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, that includes 1 or more of the following elements:
((A)) A land conservation element, the purpose of which is to control erosion and sedimentation.
((B)) A water management element that provides 1 or more clear environmental or conservation benefits, the purpose of which is to provide for—
((i)) the conservation, use, and quality of water, including irrigation and rural water supplies;
((ii)) the mitigation of floods and high water tables;
((iii)) the repair and improvement of reservoirs;
((iv)) the improvement of agricultural water management; and
((v)) the improvement of water quality.
((C)) A community development element, the purpose of which is to improve—
((i)) the development of resources-based industries;
((ii)) the protection of rural industries from natural resource hazards;
((iii)) the development of adequate rural water and waste disposal systems;
((iv)) the improvement of recreation facilities;
((v)) the improvement in the quality of rural housing;
((vi)) the provision of adequate health and education facilities;
((vii)) the satisfaction of essential transportation and communication needs; and
((viii)) the promotion of food security, economic development, and education.
((D)) A land management element, the purpose of which is—
((i)) energy conservation, including the production of energy crops;
((ii)) the protection of agricultural land, as appropriate, from conversion to other uses;
((iii)) farmland protection; and
((iv)) the protection of fish and wildlife habitats.
((2)) ** Board** The term “Board” means the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board established under .section 3456(a) of this title
((3)) ** Council** The term “council” means a nonprofit entity (including an affiliate of the entity) operating in a State that is—
((A)) established by volunteers or representatives of States, local units of government, Indian tribes, or local nonprofit organizations to carry out an area plan in a designated area; and
((B)) designated by the chief executive officer or legislature of the State to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter.
((4)) ** Designated area** The term “designated area” means a geographic area designated by the Secretary to receive technical assistance and financial assistance under this subchapter.
((5)) ** Financial assistance** The term “financial assistance” means a grant or loan provided by the Secretary (or the Secretary and other Federal agencies) to, or a cooperative agreement entered into by the Secretary (or the Secretary and other Federal agencies) with, a council, or association of councils, to carry out an area plan in a designated area, including assistance provided for planning, analysis, feasibility studies, training, education, and other activities necessary to carry out the area plan.
((6)) ** Indian tribe** The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in .section 5304 of title 25
((7)) ** Local unit of government** The term “local unit of government” means—
((A)) any county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general-purpose subdivision of a State; and
((B)) any local or regional special district or other limited political subdivision of a State, including any soil conservation district, school district, park authority, and water or sanitary district.
((8)) ** Locally led planning process** The term “planning process” means actions taken by a locally led council to develop and carry out an effective area plan in a designated area, including development of the area plan, goals, purposes, policies, implementation activities, evaluations and reviews, and the opportunity for public participation in the actions.
((9)) ** Nonprofit organization** The term “nonprofit organization” means any organization that is—
((A)) described in ; and
((B)) exempt from taxation under .
((10)) ** Project** The term “project” means a project that is carried out by a council to achieve any of the elements of an area plan.
((11)) ** Secretary** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
((12)) ** State** The term “State” means—
((A)) any State;
((B)) the District of Columbia; or
((C)) any territory or possession of the United States.
((13)) ** Technical assistance** The term “technical assistance” means any service provided by the Secretary or agent of the Secretary, including—
((A)) inventorying, evaluating, planning, designing, supervising, laying out, and inspecting projects;
((B)) providing maps, reports, and other documents associated with the services provided;
((C)) providing assistance for the implementation of area plans and projects; and
((D)) providing services that involve the resources of Department of Agriculture programs in a local community, as defined in the locally led planning process.