16 U.S.C. § 1001 | Declaration of policy

Erosion, floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds of the rivers and streams of the United States, causing loss of life and damage to property, constitute a menace to the national welfare; and it is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should cooperate with States and their political subdivisions, soil or water conservation districts, flood prevention or control districts, and other local public agencies for the purpose of preventing such damages, of furthering the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water, and the conservation and utilization of land and thereby of preserving, protecting, and improving the Nation’s land and water resources and the quality of the environment.

Aug. 4, 1954, ch. 656, § 1 68 Stat. 666 Pub. L. 92–419, title II, § 201(a)Aug. 30, 197286 Stat. 667(, ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 92–4191972— expanded the declaration of policy to include conservation and utilization of land, improvement of land and water resources, and quality of the environment.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Act Aug. 4, 1954, ch. 656, § 11 68 Stat. 668 act Aug. 7, 1956, ch. 1027, § 1(g)70 Stat. 1090

section 701b of Title 33 section 701b of Title 33“This Act [enacting this chapter, amending , Navigation and Navigable Waters, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and ] may be cited as the ‘Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act’.”

, formerly § 9, , as renumbered by , , provided that:

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Projects Exempt From Requirements for Independent Water Project Review

Pub. L. 96–528, title VI, § 622Dec. 15, 198094 Stat. 3118 section 1962 of Title 42For exemption of projects under this chapter from independent water project review requirements of Ex. Ords. No. 12113 and 12141, see , , , set out as a note under , The Public Health and Welfare.

Aug. 7, 1956Extension of Benefits to Projects Authorized Before

Act Aug. 7, 1956, ch. 1027, § 2 70 Stat. 1090Aug. 7, 1956Aug. 7, 1956Aug. 7, 1956, , provided that sections 1006a and 1006b of this title and the amendments made by act to sections 1002 to 1005 of this title should be applicable to all works of improvement and plans for such works under the provisions of this chapter and that any plans for works of improvement with respect to which the Secretary of Agriculture was authorized prior to to participate in the installation of works of improvement in accordance with such plan, or any plan for works of improvement which had received prior to the approval of congressional committees, need not be submitted to the congressional committees as required by this chapter.