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Show 366 Mining Laws While Congress has legislated extensively to protect lands in federal ownership, one aspect of conservation has been left untouched in the process. Under the mining laws of the United States, it is possible for a" person meeting specified requirements of law as to entry, to obtain potential mineral lands with unrestricted privilege as to use of the surface, thus permitting denudation of forest cover.86 Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act Enacted in part in 1935, and in part in 1936, this legislation provides the basis for two national soil-conservation programs.86 We shall examine the parts in that order after noting briefly the background developments. In 1933, a Soil Erosion Service was established in the Depart- ment of the Interior with responsibility for a program of ero- sion control and relief of unemployment, an allotment of funds having been made for that purpose by the Federal Emergency Administrator of Public Works.87 This agency was transferred in 1935 to the Department of Agriculture, and all erosion- control activities of that Department were consolidated.88 Soil Conservation Service Program.-Soon thereafter, Congress gave direct authorization for an erosion-control pro- gram when it passed the National Erosion Control Act in 811R. S. § 2319, from Act of May 10, 1872, § 1, 17 Stat. 91, as amended, 30 U. S. O. 22; R. S. § 2322, from Act of May 10,1872, § 3,17 Stat. 91, 30 U. S. O. 26; R. S. § 2325, from Act of May 10, 1872, § 6, 17 Stat. 91, 92, as amended, 30 U. S. G. 29. 88 Act of April 27,1935, 49 Stat. 163, as amended, 16 U. S. O. 590a et seq. " See Act of June 16,1933, § 202, 48 Stat. 195, 201, 40 U. S. O. 402. Un- published Memorandum of August 25,1933, Administrator of Federal Emer- gency Administration, addressed to Secretary of the Interior, allotting $5,000,000 for soil-erosion work on public and private lands. See also Ex. O. Nos. 6252, August 19,1933, and 6929, December 26,1934. 88 Unpublished Memorandum of Emergency Administrator of Public Works, March 23, 1935, approved by the President March 25, 1935; unpublished Memorandum of the Secretary of Agriculture, No. 665, March 27, 1935. |
