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Show 634 5. For all purposes except irrigation and purposes subsidiary thereto. By the act of February 15, 1901 (31 Stat. 790). The confusion as to the right-of-way statutes was further compounded by the nature of the.licensing authority granted to the Federal Power Commission by the Federal Power Act. For although outstanding power permits were left expressly unaffected, the departments could no longer approve the transfer of such permits; indeed, the scope of departmental authority here appears otherwise doubtful.755 Financial and Technical Assistance.-In addition to making the public lands and reservations and the water resources thereon available for nonfederal development, Congress has of- fered certain aids to nonfederal action in developing, utilizing, and conserving water resources. These may consist of loans, financial contributions, furnishing technical assistance and services, or providing for cooperative federal-state programs. Outright financial contributions to nonfederal activity is the least prevalent form of assistance. We shall mention some of the more significant of the relevant statutes. But particular mention should first be made of the Soil Conservation and Do- mestic Allotment Act, which authorizes the Secretary of Agri- culture "to furnish financial or other aid to, any agency, govern- mental or otherwise, or any person" for the purposes of the Act.756 It further directs that states shall be entitled to grants, and the Secretary shall make grants to the states when state plans conform to the specified standards.757 Provision is also made for grants to individual farmers measured, among other ""32 Ops. Att'y Gen. 525, 528-531 (1925) ; Re The Montana Power Com- pany, FPC Opinion No. 170, February 4, 1949; The Montana Power Co. v. Federal Power Commission, Case No. 10,200, C. A. D. C, decided October 4, 1950. 758 Act of April 27, 1935, § 1, 49 Stat. 163, 16 U. S. C. 590a(3). See also supra, pp. 366-372. *" Act of February 29, 1936, § 7, 49 Stat. 1148, as amended, 16 U. S. C. 590g; the purposes of the act are "(1) preservation and improvement of soil fertility; (2) promotion of the economic use and conservation of land; (3) diminution of exploitation and wasteful and unscientific use of national soil resources; (4) the protection of rivers and harbors against the results of |