16 U.S.C. § 1301 : US Code - Section 1301: Congressional declaration of policy; authority of Secretary

Search 16 U.S.C. § 1301 : US Code - Section 1301: Congressional declaration of policy; authority of Secretary

The Congress finds that it is in the public interest to preserve,
restore, and improve the wetlands of the Nation, and thereby to
conserve surface waters, to preserve and improve habitat for
migratory waterfowl and other wildlife resources, to reduce runoff,
soil and wind erosion, and contribute to flood control, to
contribute to improved water quality and reduce stream
sedimentation, to contribute to improved subsurface moisture, to
reduce acres of new land coming into production and to retire lands
now in agricultural production, to enhance the natural beauty of
the landscape, and to promote comprehensive and total water
management planning. The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in
this chapter referred to as the "Secretary") is authorized and
directed to formulate and carry out a continuous program to prevent
the serious loss of wetlands, and to preserve, restore, and improve
such lands, which program shall begin on July 1, 1971.