OCR Text |
Show 373 To effectuate the program, the Secretary is authorized to ac- quire and apply protective measures to lands, and to make them available for private use by sale, exchange, lease, or otherwise.120 Also, upon recommendation of the Secretary, the President is authorized to transfer the lands to federal or state agencies for administration.121 This program corresponds in principle with the Weeks Law in that both provide for federal acquisition and public manage- ment of lands to achieve conservation results. It differs from the Weeks Law, however, in that it does not require that the lands acquired be located on the watersheds of navigable streams. Administration of the program has been assigned to the Soil Conservation Service.122 As of 1945, 11,300,000 acres of land had been acquired.123 Such lands include both forest and range lands, as well as croplands.124 Recently, however, Congress has made no appropriations for further purchase, but has continued appropriations for management of the lands.125 The manage- ment function is accomplished under the general statutory au- thority conferred upon the Secretary to make necessary rules and regulations and to regulate "the use and occupancy" of the property.126 In this connection, it should be noted that opera- tions are so designed as to influence not only the acquired lands but also adjacent lands, by permitting operators to use ac- quired lands under permits and leases in such a way as to effect less intensified use of their own lands.127 Some acquired lands have been transferred for management to the Forest Service, 120 § 32, 50 Stat. 525, as amended, 7 U. S. C. 1011. 122 Memorandum of Secretary of Agriculture, No. 785, October 6, 1938; Manual of Son, Conservation Service, vol. I, § 11000 (1941). 133 Federal Rural Lands, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agriculture, p. 43 (June 1947). 124 Report of Chief of Soil Conservation Service, pp. 37-38 (1945). 125 See, e. g.y Act of September 6,1950, 64 Stat. 595. 326 Act of July 22,1937, % 32, 50 Stat. 522, 525, as amended, 7 U. S. C. 1011. See also 7 C. F. R. 600.1 et seq. 12T See 7 C. F. R. 600.3-600.5. See also Soil Conservation Service Manual, vol. IV, § 44001 (1941), as supplemented. |