§ 5802. — National Natural Resources Conservation Foundation.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC5802]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 78--NATIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Sec. 5802. National Natural Resources Conservation Foundation
(a) Establishment
A National Natural Resources Conservation Foundation is established
as a charitable and nonprofit corporation for charitable, scientific,
and educational purposes specified in subsection (b) of this section.
The Foundation is not an agency or instrumentality of the United States.
(b) Duties
The Foundation shall--
(1) promote innovative solutions to the problems associated with
the conservation of natural resources on private lands, particularly
with respect to agriculture and soil and water conservation;
(2) promote voluntary partnerships between government and
private interests in the conservation of natural resources;
(3) conduct research and undertake educational activities,
conduct and support demonstration projects, and make grants to State
and local agencies and nonprofit organizations;
(4) provide such other leadership and support as may be
necessary to address conservation challenges, such as the prevention
of excessive soil erosion, the enhancement of soil and water
quality, and the protection of wetlands, wildlife habitat, and
strategically important farmland subject to urban conversion and
fragmentation;
(5) encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of money and
real and personal property for the benefit of, or in connection
with, the conservation and related activities and services of the
Department, particularly the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
(6) undertake, conduct, and encourage educational, technical,
and other assistance, and other activities, that support the
conservation and related programs administered by the Department
(other than activities carried out on National Forest System lands),
particularly the Natural Resources Conservation Service, except that
the Foundation may not enforce or administer a regulation of the
Department; and
(7) raise private funds to promote the purposes of the
Foundation.
(c) Limitations and conflicts of interest
(1) Political activities
The Foundation shall not participate or intervene in a political
campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
(2) Conflicts of interest
No director, officer, or employee of the Foundation shall
participate, directly or indirectly, in the consideration or
determination of any question before the Foundation affecting--
(A) the financial interests of the director, officer, or
employee; or
(B) the interests of any corporation, partnership, entity,
organization, or other person in which the director, officer, or
employee--
(i) is an officer, director, or trustee; or
(ii) has any direct or indirect financial interest.
(3) Legislation or government action or policy
No funds of the Foundation may be used in any manner for the
purpose of influencing legislation or government action or policy.
(4) Litigation
No funds of the Foundation may be used to bring or join an
action against the United States.
(Pub. L. 104-127, title III, Sec. 353, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1010.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 5801, 5805 of this title.
