(a) Delegations. Pursuant to Sec. Sec. 2.17(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(14), (a)(16) through (a)(19), and (a)(21), subject to reservations in Sec. 2.17(b)(1), and subject to policy guidance and direction by the Under Secretary for Rural Development, the following delegations of authority are made by the Under Secretary for Rural Development to the Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service:
(1) Administer the rural economic development loan and grant programs under the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 940c and 950aa et seq.).
(2) Administer the following sections of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.):
(i) Section 306(a)(11)(A) (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(11)(A)), related grants for business technical assistance and planning;
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Sections 309 (7 U.S.C. 1929) and 309A (7 U.S.C. 1929a), relating to assets and programs related to rural development;
(iv) Section 310B (7 U.S.C. 1932), relating to various Rural Development programs, except for subsection (b) of that section.
(v) Section 310H (7 U.S.C. 1936b), relating to an intermediary relending program.
(vi) Administrative Provisions of subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act relating to Rural Business-Cooperative Service activities;
(vii) Section 378 (7 U.S.C., 2008m) relating to the National Rural Development Partnership; and
(viii) Section 379E (7 U.S.C. 2008s) relating to the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
(ix) Section 379F (7 U.S.C. 2000t) relating to the Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities in Rural Areas Program.
(x) Section 379G (7 U.S.C. 2008u) relating to Health Care Services.
(xi) Section 382A et seq. (7 U.S.C. 2009aa et seq.) relating to the Delta Regional Authority.
(xii) Section 383A et seq. (7 U.S.C. 2009bb et seq.) relating to the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority.
(xiii) Section 384A et seq. (7 U.S.C. 2009cc et seq.) relating to the Rural Business Investment program.
(xiv) Section 385A et seq. (7 U.S.C. 2009dd et seq.) relating to the Rural Collaborative Investment Program.
(3) Administer Alcohol Fuels Credit Guarantee Program Account (Pub L. No. 102-341, 106 Stat. 895).
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Administer loan programs in the Appalachian region under sections 203 and 204 of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (40 U.S.C. App. 204).
(6) Administer section 601 of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (Pub. L. No. 95-620).
(7) Administer the Drought and Disaster Guaranteed Loan program under section 331 of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1929a note).
(8) Administer the Disaster Assistance for Rural Business Enterprises Guaranteed Loan Program under section 401 of the Disaster Assistance Act of 1989 (7 U.S.C. 1929a note).
(9) Administer the Rural Economic Development Demonstration Grant Program (7 U.S.C. 2662a).
(10) Administer the Economically Disadvantaged Rural Community Loan program (7 U.S.C. 6616).
(11) Administer programs authorized by the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (7 U.S.C. 451-457).
(12) Carry out the responsibilities of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to the marketing aspects of cooperatives, including economic research and analysis, the application of economic research findings, technical assistance to existing and developing cooperatives, education on cooperatives, and statistical information pertaining to cooperatives as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627).
(13) Work with institutions and international organizations throughout the world on subjects related to the development and operation of agricultural cooperatives. Such work may be carried out by:
(i) Exchanging materials and results with such institutions or organizations;
(ii) Engaging in joint or coordinated activities; or
(iii) Stationing representatives at such institutions or organizations in foreign countries (7 U.S.C. 3291).
(14) Collect, service, and liquidate loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service or its predecessor agencies.
(15) [Reserved]
(16) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq.), relating to rural development credit and financial assistance.
(17) With respect to land and facilities under his or her authority, exercise the functions delegated to the Secretary by Executive Order 12580, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193, under the following provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (``the Act''), as amended:
(i) Sections 104 (a), (b), and (c)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604 (a), (b), and (c)(4)), with respect to removal and remedial actions in the event of release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the environment;
(ii) Sections 104(e)-(h) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(e)-(h)), with respect to information gathering and access requests and orders; compliance with Federal health and safety standards and wage and labor standards applicable to covered work; and emergency procurement powers;
(iii) Section 104(i)(11) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(11)), with respect to the reduction of exposure to significant risk to human health;
(iv) Section 104(j) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(j)), with respect to the acquisition of real property and interests in real property required to conduct a remedial action;
(v) The first two sentences of section 105(d) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(d)), with respect to petitions for preliminary assessment of a release or threatened release;
(vi) Section 105(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9605(f)), with respect to consideration of the availability of qualified minority firms in awarding contracts, but excluding that portion of section 105(f) pertaining to the annual report to Congress;
(vii) Section 109 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9609), with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for violations of section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), and the granting of awards to individuals providing information;
(viii) Section 111(f) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9611(f)), with respect to the designation of officials who may obligate money in the Hazardous Substances Superfund;
(ix) Section 113(k) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9613(k)), with respect to establishing an administrative record upon which to base the selection of a response action and identifying and notifying potentially responsible parties;
(x) Section 116(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9616(a)), with respect to preliminary assessment and site inspection of facilities;
(xi) Sections 117 (a) and (c) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9617 (a) and (c)), with respect to public participation in the preparation of any plan for remedial action and explanation of variances from the final remedial action plan for any remedial action or enforcement action, including any settlement or consent decree entered into;
(xii) Section 119 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9119), with respect to indemnifying response action contractors;
(xiii) Section 121 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9621), with respect to cleanup standards; and
(xiv) Section 122 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622), with respect to settlements, but excluding section 122(b)(1) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 9622(b)(1)), related to mixed funding agreements.
(18) With respect to facilities and activities under his or her authority, to exercise the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to section 1-102 related to compliance with applicable pollution control standards and section 1-601 of Executive Order 12088, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 243, to enter into an inter-agency agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or an administrative consent order or a consent judgment in an appropriate State, interstate, or local agency, containing a plan and schedule to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable pollution control standards established pursuant to the following:
(i) Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, and the Federal Facility Compliance Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
(ii) Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);
(iii) Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);
(iv) Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
(v) Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.);
(vi) Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);
(vii) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.); and
(viii) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).
(19) Administer in rural areas the process of designation, provision of monitoring and oversight, and provision of technical assistance for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities pursuant to section 13301 of Pub. L. No. 103-66, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (26 U.S.C. 1391 et seq.).
(20) Provide leadership and coordination within the executive branch at the state and local level of Federal rural development program utilizing the services of executive branch departments and agencies and the agencies, bureaus, offices, and services of the Department of Agriculture in coordination with rural development programs of State and local governments (7 U.S.C. 2204).
(21) Coordinate, at the state and local level, activities relative to rural development among agencies reporting to the Under Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development and, through appropriate channels, serve as the coordinating agency for other departmental agencies having primary responsibilities, in coordination with rural development programs of State and local governments (7 U.S.C. 2204).
(22) Work with Federal agencies in encouraging the creation of local rural community development organizations. Within a State, assist other Federal agencies in developing means for extending their services effectively to rural areas and in designating pilot projects in rural areas (7 U.S.C. 2204).
(23) Conduct assessments to determine how programs of the Department can be brought to bear on the economic development problems of a State or local area and assure that local groups are receiving adequate and effective technical assistance from Federal agencies or from local and State governments in formulating development programs and in carrying out planned development activities (7 U.S.C. 2204b).
(24) Develop a process through which State, sub-state and local rural development needs, goals, objectives, plans, and recommendations can be received and assessed on a continuing basis (7 U.S.C. 2204b).
(25) Prepare local or area-wide rural development strategies based on the needs, goals, objectives, plans and recommendations of local communities, sub-state areas and States (7 U.S.C. 2204b).
(26) Develop a system of outreach in the State or local area to promote rural development and provide for the publication and dissemination of information, through multi-media methods, relating to rural development. Advise local rural development organizations of availability of Federal programs and the type of assistance available, and assist in making contact with Federal program contact (7 U.S.C. 2204; 7 U.S.C. 2204b).
(27) Administer the assets of the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation and the funds in the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Fund in accordance with section 6201 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2000 (see note to 7 U.S.C. 5901 (repealed)).
(28) Administer the Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grant program (note to 7 U.S.C. 1621).
(29) Administer the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration program (note to 7 U.S.C. 1621).
(30) Administer the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program (7 U.S.C. 8106).
(30) Administer the renewable energy programs authorized in sections 9003, 9004, 9005, 9007, and 9009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103, 8104, 8105, 8107, and 8109).
(31) Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A)).
(32) In coordination with the Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e)).
(33) Administer the Healthy Food Financing Initiative under section 243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953).
(34) Administer section 6209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2207b), relating to the collection and reporting of program metrics.
(b) Reservation. The following authority is reserved to the Under Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development: Making and issuing notes to the Secretary of the Treasury for the purposes of the Rural Development Insurance Fund as authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1929a). [60 FR 56393, Nov. 8, 1995, as amended at 66 FR 33107, June 11, 2001; 68 FR 27444, May 20, 2003; 73 FR 3407, Jan. 21, 2009; 75 FR 43380, July 23, 2010; 78 FR 40938, July 9, 2013; 79 FR 44114, July 30, 2014]