US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 2001

Congressional findings

The Congress finds that:
(1)
There is a growing demand on the soil, water, and related resources of the Nation to meet present and future needs.
(2)
The Congress, in its concern for sustained use of the resource base of the United States, has ensured that the Department of Agriculture possesses information, technical expertise, and a delivery system for providing assistance to land users with respect to conservation and use of soils; plants; woodlands; watershed protection and flood prevention; the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water; animal husbandry; fish and wildlife management; recreation; community development; and related resource uses.
(3)
Appraisal and inventory of resources, assessment and inventory of conservation needs, evaluation of the effects of conservation practices, and analyses of alternative approaches to existing conservation programs are basic to effective soil, water, and related natural resource conservation.
(4)
Since individual and governmental decisions concerning soil and water resources often transcend administrative boundaries and affect other programs and decisions, a coordinated appraisal and program framework are essential.

Pub. L. 95–192, § 291 Stat. 1407Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 246(f)(2)(A)108 Stat. 3225Pub. L. 110–234, title II, § 2804(a)122 Stat. 1086Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)122 Stat. 1664(, , ; , , ; , , ; , title II, § 2804(a), , , 1814.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246 and made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by were repealed by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–246, § 2804(a)(1)2008—Par. (2). , substituted “base of the” for “base, of the”.

Pub. L. 110–246, § 2804(a)(2)Pars. (3), (4). , added par. (3), redesignated former par. (3) as (4), and struck out “Resource appraisal is basic to effective soil and water conservation.” before “Since individual”.

Pub. L. 103–3541994—Par. (2). struck out “created the Soil Conservation Service” after “resource base,” and substituted “, has ensured that the Department of Agriculture” for “Department of Agriculture which” after “United States”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246section 8701 of Title 7Amendment of this section and repeal of by effective , the date of enactment of , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Agriculture.

Short Title

Pub. L. 95–192, § 191 Stat. 1407

“That this Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977’.”
, , , provided: