§ 2003. — Congressional policy and declaration of purpose.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC2003]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 40--SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION
Sec. 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.
(Pub. L. 95-192, Sec. 4, Nov. 18, 1977, 91 Stat. 1407.)
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Secretary or other
official in Department of Agriculture under this chapter to Federal
Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas
Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy,
see note set out under section 2002 of this title.
