Chesapeake Bay watershed turnkey pilot program

Section 1231C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831c) is amended by adding at the end the following: (c) Chesapeake Bay watershed turnkey pilot program (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Chesapeake Bay watershed The term Chesapeake Bay watershed has the meaning given the term in section 1240N(a). (B) CREP definitions The terms CREP, eligible land, and management have the meanings given those terms in section 1231A(a). (C) Eligible practice The term eligible practice means a forested riparian buffer practice under a CREP and any associated activities, including— (i) a stream crossing; (ii) fencing and alternate water systems; (iii) herbicide applications; and (iv) any other activity that is appropriate to establish the practice. (D) Pilot program The term pilot program means the pilot program established under paragraph (2). (E) Technical service provider The term technical service provider means a third-party provider with which the Secretary enters into an agreement under paragraph (5)(A). (2) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide, for voluntary owners and operators, establishment and management of eligible practices on eligible land located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that is enrolled through a CREP. (3) Duties of Secretary With respect to eligible land enrolled through the pilot program, the Secretary— (A) may provide, for the owner or operator, establishment and management of an eligible practice on the eligible land using a technical service provider pursuant to an agreement under paragraph (5); and (B) shall not require the owner or operator— (i) to pay any costs of the establishment or management of an eligible practice, including any compensation provided under paragraph (5)(C); or (ii) to submit to the Secretary any additional paperwork with respect to the pilot program. (4) Duties of owners and operators Each owner or operator of eligible land enrolled through the pilot program— (A) shall provide to the Secretary and any technical service providers, as applicable, access to the eligible land for purposes of the establishment or management of an eligible practice under the pilot program; and (B) may not receive any cost-share payment, practice incentive payment, or management payment under this subchapter with respect to an eligible practice under the pilot program. (5) Agreements with technical service providers (A) In general The Secretary may enter into an agreement under section 1242 with 1 or more third-party providers certified under that section, including a third-party provider certified through a streamlined certification process under subsection (e)(5) of that section, that provide technical assistance under this title in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to conduct the establishment and management of an eligible practice on eligible land under the pilot program. (B) Activities In addition to any activity that a technical service provider may conduct pursuant to section 1242 relating to the establishment of an eligible practice, a technical service provider may carry out such activities as are necessary to conduct the establishment and management of an eligible practice under the pilot program. (C) Compensation Under an agreement entered into under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide to a technical service provider reasonable compensation for services provided under the agreement, including administrative assistance, technical assistance, design assistance, and installation costs. (6) Report to Congress Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report describing the status of, and any activities carried out under, the pilot program..