OCR Text |
Show 378 crop failures, decline in standards of living, and exces- sive dependence upon public relief, and therefore menace the national welfare. To effectuate this policy, Congress authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate and keep current a program of projects for the construction and maintenance of "ponds, res- ervoirs, wells, check-dams, pumping installations, and other facilities for water storage or utilization, together with appur- tenances to such facilities."150 The facilities must be so lo- cated as to promote proper utilization of lands and as not to encourage cultivation of submarginal lands.151 In addition, the facilities may be sold or leased "with or without a money consideration."152 Likewise, the Secretary may enter into agreements, with individuals or agencies, or furnish them finan- cial or other assistance.153 In addition to his authority to acquire lands, the Secretary may also acquire "rights to the use of water."154 The statute expressly authorized application of the program to lands owned or controlled by the United States, as well as to other lands upon obtaining necessary rights or interests.155 In the case of the latter lands, the Secretary may condition assistance upon enactment of state and local laws providing for "soil conserving land uses and practices, and the storage, conservation and equitable utilization of waters."156 He may also require agreements regarding the maintenance and per- manent use of "water, facilities, or lands benefited by such facilities," or upon contributions in money or otherwise.157 Administration of this program is assigned to the Farmers Home Administration.158 The statute contains an unlimited 160 § 2, 50 Stat. 869,16 U. S. C. 590s. 161 Id. ™Id. ™Id. ™Id. 155 § 3, 50 Stat. 869,16 U. S. C. 590t. 166 § 4, 50 Stat. 870,16 U. S. C. 590u. ™Id. 188 Secretary of Agriculture Memorandum No. 1171, October 14, 1946, 11 F. R. 12520. |