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Show 345 rent information service on precipitation, flood forecasts, and warnings.143 Coast and Geodetic Survey.-Operating under an 1807 statute authorizing a survey of the coasts of the United States, including islands and shoals, with roads or places of anchorage, within twenty leagues of any part of the shores of the United States, the Coast and Geodetic Survey is the oldest of the data- collection agencies.144 Functioning within the Department of Commerce, the Coast and Geodetic Survey is authorized to conduct various hydrographic and topographic surveys of coastal water and land areas, as well as inland waters the survey of which is not otherwise provided for by statute.145 Also, it may conduct tide and current observations, geodetic- control surveys, field surveys for aeronautical charts, and measurements, investigations, and observations for determina- tion of variation in latitude and longitude.146 These authori- zations Congress enacted:147 to provide charts and related information for the safe navigation of marine and air commerce, and to provide basic data for engineering and scientific purposes and for other commercial and industrial needs. Department of Agriculture.-Several agencies within the Department of Agriculture are concerned with the collection of basic data. Under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, the Soil Conservation Service is authorized:148 to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil erosion andi the preventive measures needed, to publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, or research, to disseminate in- formation concerning such methods and to conduct 148 See supra, p. 146. 144 Act of February 10, 1807, 2 Stat. 413. 145 Act of August 6,1947, § 1, 61 Stat. 787, 33 U. S. O. 883a (Supp. III). 148 Id. ™Id. 148 Act of April 27,1935, § 1, 49 Stat. 163,16 U. S. 0. 590a (1). |