§ 2005. — Soil and water conservation program.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC2005]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 40--SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION
Sec. 2005. Soil and water conservation program
(a) Program development
The Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to develop in
cooperation with and participation by the public through conservation
districts, State and national organizations and agencies, and other
appropriate means, a national soil and water conservation program
(hereinafter called the ``program'') to be used as a guide in carrying
out the activities of the Secretary which assist landowners and land
users, at their request, in furthering soil and water conservation on
the private and non-Federal lands of the Nation. The program shall set
forth direction for future soil and water conservation efforts of the
United States Department of Agriculture based on the current soil,
water, and related resource appraisal developed in accordance with
section 2004 of this title, taking into consideration both the long- and
short-term needs of the Nation, the landowners, and the land users, and
the roles and responsibilities of Federal, State, and local governments
in such conservation efforts. The program shall also include but not be
limited to--
(1) analysis of the Nation's soil, water, and related resource
problems;
(2) analysis of existing Federal, State, and local government
authorities and adjustments needed;
(3) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the soil and water
conservation ongoing programs and the overall progress being
achieved by Federal, State, and local programs and the landowners
and land users in meeting the soil and water conservation objectives
of this chapter;
(4) identification and evaluation of alternative methods for the
conservation, protection, environmental improvement, and enhancement
of soil and water resources, in the context of alternative time
frames, and a recommendation of the preferred alternatives and the
extent to which they are being implemented;
(5) investigation and analysis of the practicability,
desirability, and feasibility of collecting organic waste materials,
including manure, crop and food wastes, industrial organic waste,
municipal sewage sludge, logging and wood-manufacturing residues,
and any other organic refuse, composting, or similarly treating such
materials, transporting and placing such materials onto the land to
improve soil tilth and fertility. The analysis shall include the
projected cost of such collection, transportation, and placement in
accordance with sound locally approved soil and water conservation
practices;
(6) analysis of the Federal and non-Federal inputs required to
implement the program;
(7) analysis of costs and benefits of alternative soil and water
conservation practices; and
(8) investigation and analysis of alternative irrigation
techniques regarding their costs, benefits, and impact on soil and
water conservation, crop production, and environmental factors.
(b) Completion dates
The initial program shall be completed not later than December 31,
1979, and program updates shall be completed by December 31, 1987,
December 31, 1997, and December 31, 2007, respectively.
(Pub. L. 95-192, Sec. 6, Nov. 18, 1977, 91 Stat. 1409; Pub. L. 99-198,
title XII, Sec. 1252(b), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1516; Pub. L. 103-354,
title II, Sec. 246(f)(2)(C), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3225.)
Amendments
1994--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-354 in first sentence of introductory
provisions substituted ``Secretary'' for ``Soil Conservation Service''
before ``which assist''.
1985--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-198 amended subsec. (b) generally.
Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: ``The program plan
shall be completed not later than December 31, 1979, and be updated at
each five-year interval thereafter during the period this chapter is in
effect.''
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.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 2006 of this title; title 7
section 3121.
