16 U.S.C. § 2003 : US Code - Section 2003: Congressional policy and declaration of purpose

Search 16 U.S.C. § 2003 : US Code - Section 2003: Congressional policy and declaration of purpose

(a) Responsiveness to long-term needs
In order to further the conservation of soil, water, and related
resources, it is declared to be the policy of the United States and
purpose of this chapter that the conduct of programs administered
by the Secretary of Agriculture for the conservation of such
resources shall be responsive to the long-term needs of the Nation,
as determined under the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Full utilization of cooperative arrangements with State
agencies
Recognizing that the arrangements under which the Federal
Government cooperates with State soil and water conservation
agencies and other appropriate State natural resource agencies such
as those concerned with forestry and fish and wildlife and, through
conservation districts, with other local units of government and
land users, have effectively aided in the protection and
improvement of the Nation's basic resources, including the
restoration and maintenance of resources damaged by improper use,
it is declared to be the policy of the United States that these
arrangements and similar cooperative arrangements should be
utilized to the fullest extent practicable to achieve the purpose
of this chapter consistent with the roles and responsibilities of
the non-Federal agencies, landowners and land users.
(c) Attainment of policies and purposes
The Secretary shall promote the attainment of the policies and
purposes expressed in this chapter by -
(1) appraising on a continuing basis the soil, water, and
related resources of the Nation;
(2) developing and updating periodically a program for
furthering the conservation, protection, and enhancement of the
soil, water, and related resources of the Nation consistent with
the roles and program responsibilities of other Federal agencies
and State and local governments; and
(3) providing to Congress and the public, through reports, the
information developed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
subsection, and by providing Congress with an annual evaluation
report as provided in section 2006 of this title.