| OCR Text |
Show 346 demonstrational projects in areas subject to erosion by wind or water. The portion of that Act administered by the Production and Marketing Administration contains additional authority rele- vant here. For it authorizes surveys, investigations, and re- search relating to the preservation and improvement of soil fertility, the promotion of economic use and conservation of land; diminution of exploitation and wasteful and unscientific use of national soil resources; and the protection of rivers and harbors against the results of soil erosion in aid of maintaining the navigability of waters and water courses and in aid of flood control.1*9 Also, we have recently referred to the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture over federal investigations of watersheds and measures for run-off and water-flow retarda- tion and soil-erosion prevention on watersheds.150 In predom- inantly farmland areas, these investigations and measures are carried out by the Soil Conservation Service.151 The Forest Service conducts similar work concerning the national forests.152 Under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, the Secre- tary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct certain surveys and investigations pertaining to soil erosion, mitigation of floods, impairment of reservoirs, surface and subsurface, mois- ture, and the protection of watersheds of navigable streams.153 In connection with the collection of agricultural data by agencies within the Agricultural Research Administration, it is pertinent to note that the Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering conducts research in plant breed- ing and production and improvement of soils.154 149 Act of February 29, 1936, § 1, 49 Stat. 1148, as amended, 16 U. S. 0. 590g(a),590i. 180 See supra, pp. 316-317. 151 See supra, p. 316 and infra, p. 377. 152 See infra, p. 377. 118 Act of July 22,1937, §§ 81, 47, 50 Stat. 525, 531, as amended, 7 U. S. O. 1010,1021. "•See Act of March 2, 1901, 31 Stat. 922, 926; Act of May 17, 1935, 49 Stat. 247, 258; Reorganization Plan No. I, effective July 1, 1947; Secretary of Agriculture Memorandum No. 1197, July 1,1947. |
