§9-8A-11. Agreement to maintain conservation practices; sale of land with respect to which agreement is in effect.

As a condition for receipt of a cost-share grant of allocated funds for soil and water conservation practices, the eligible person receiving the benefit of such grant shall agree to maintain those practices for the expected life of the practice as established by the commission and outlined in the applicable conservation plan. Agreement to maintain practices for which allocated funds are being paid shall be accomplished by completing and signing a maintenance agreement. Specific conditions of the maintenance agreement shall be detailed on a form specified by the commission, and may include provisions for repayment of cost-share grants. Completion of the form and signature of the eligible person is required prior to transfer of the payment from the district to the recipient.

Agreements to perform soil and water conservation practices for which allocated funds are being paid shall be by completing and signing a performance agreement. Specific conditions of the performance agreement shall be detailed on a form specified by the commission. Completion of the form and signature of the eligible person is required prior to transfer of the payment from the district to the recipient(s).

The soil and water conservation district shall establish and maintain in the case file the maintenance agreement and any amendments to the maintenance agreement. The maintenance agreements shall be accessible for review by the public. The soil and water conservation district shall also establish and maintain in the case file any performance agreement and amendment to performance agreement. The case file shall be accessible for review by the public.

In the event that adjustment to the project cost estimate is necessitated by the final design, the applicant shall either agree to assume the additional cost or complete and submit amendment to application for allocated funds to the district for approval or denial by the district.

The soil and water conservation district shall adjust the amount of allocated funds obligated for the project or secure adjusted obligation from the commission for funds obligated by the commission. In the event that additional funds are not available, the project may be redesigned, if possible, to a level commensurate with available allocated funds, provided the redesign still meets standards established by the commission, or the applicant can agree to assume full financial responsibility for the portion of the project cost in excess of the amount obligated.

The successful applicant shall be responsible for securing any contractor(s) needed and for all contractual or other agreements necessary to construct or perform the approved practice(s). The designated technician will determine if the completed practice is in compliance with applicable standards and specifications. The designated technician shall attest to completion and compliance to the standards by completing and signing a certification of practice quantities and cost. The completed certification will be retained in the district case file for the appropriate landowner.

A seller of agricultural or timber land with respect to which a maintenance agreement is in effect may request the soil and water conservation district to inspect the practices. If the practices have not been removed, altered, or modified, the district shall issue a written statement that the seller has satisfactorily maintained the permanent practice as of the date of the statement.

The buyer of lands covered by a maintenance agreement may also request that the district inspect the lands to determine whether any practice has been removed, altered, or modified as of the date of the inspection. If so, the district will provide the buyer with a statement specifying the extent of noncompliance as of the date of the statement. The seller and the buyer, if known, shall be given notice of the time of inspection so that they may be present during the inspection to express their views as to compliance.

(Acts 1985, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 85-123, p. 169, §13; Acts 1986, No. 86-426, p. 775, §12.)