16 U.S.C. § 590a : US Code - Section 590A: Prevention of soil erosion; surveys and investigations; preventive measures; cooperation with agencies and persons; acquisition of land

Search 16 U.S.C. § 590a : US Code - Section 590A: Prevention of soil erosion; surveys and investigations; preventive measures; cooperation with agencies and persons; acquisition of land

It is recognized that the wastage of soil and moisture resources
on farm, grazing, and forest lands of the Nation, resulting from
soil erosion, is a menace to the national welfare and that it is
declared to be the policy of Congress to provide permanently for
the control and prevention of soil erosion and thereby to preserve
natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of
reservoirs, and maintain the navigability of rivers and harbors,
protect public health, public lands and relieve unemployment, and
the Secretary of Agriculture, from now on, shall coordinate and
direct all activities with relation to soil erosion and in order to
effectuate this policy is authorized, from time to time -
(1) To conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to
the character of soil erosion and the preventive measures needed,
to publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, or
research, to disseminate information concerning such methods, and
to conduct demonstrational projects in areas subject to erosion by
wind or water;
(2) To carry out preventive measures, including, but not limited
to, engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of
vegetation, and changes in use of land;
(3) To cooperate or enter into agreements with, or to furnish
financial or other aid to, any agency, governmental or otherwise,
or any person, subject to such conditions as he may deem necessary,
for the purposes of this chapter; and
(4) To acquire lands, or rights or interests therein, by
purchase, gift, condemnation, or otherwise, whenever necessary for
the purposes of this chapter.