(a) If any participant to whom compensation is payable under the program is indebted to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or any agency thereof, or is indebted to any other agency of the United States, and such indebtedness is listed on the county claim control record maintained in the office of the county ASC committee, the compensation due the participant shall be set off against the indebtedness. Indebtedness owing to USDA, or any agency thereof, shall be given first consideration. Setoffs made pursuant to this section shall not deprive the participant of any right to contest the justness of the indebtedness involved either by administrative appeal or by legal action.

(b) Participants who are indebted to this program for any reason will be placed on the USDA claim control record promptly by the state conservationist after the participant has been given opportunity to pay the debt.

Participants who carry out conservation practices shall be responsible for obtaining the authorities, rights, easements, or other approvals necessary for the implementation and maintenance of the conservation practices in keeping with applicable laws and regulations. Participants shall save the United States harmless from any infringements upon the rights of others or from any failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations.

Any authorized NRCS representative shall have the right to enter an operating unit for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of any representations made in a contract or leading up to a contract, and as to the performance of the terms and conditions of the contract. Access shall include the right to measure acreages, render technical assistance, and inspect any work undertaken under the contract.

The state conservationist may take the initiative to revise or require revision of any determination made by the contracting officer or the district conservationist in connection with the program, except that the state conservationist may not revise any executed contract other than as may specifically be authorized herein.