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.