§ 1301. — Congressional declaration of policy; authority of Secretary.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC1301]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 29--WATER BANK PROGRAM FOR WETLANDS PRESERVATION
Sec. 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.
(Pub. L. 91-559, Sec. 2, Dec. 19, 1970, 84 Stat. 1468.)
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 91-559 provided: ``That this Act [enacting this
chapter] may be cited as the `Water Bank Act'.''
