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<br />MAY 1982 <br /> <br />VII. IMPLEMENTATION AUTHORITIES <br /> <br />Section 201(c) of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (PL <br />93-320) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate and coordinate <br />activities with other departments of federal government to carry out <br />objectives of the Act. Section 203 authorizes preparation of planning <br />reports on twelve salinity control units, including the McElmo Creek as a <br />diffuse source control unit. However, the act contains no authority for <br />implementing these reports. <br /> <br />This section discusses existing USDA authorities for implementation and <br />makes recommendations for implementing the onfarm improvement program. <br /> <br />USDA Program Authorities <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />There are three primary USDA authorities through which onfarm improve- <br />ments might be implemented. These are: <br /> <br />1. The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 (PL 74-46) <br /> <br />Under this authority the Soil Conservation Service was established <br />to exercise powers conferred on the Secretary of Agriculture by the <br />Act. Some of those powers are defined as authority to: <br /> <br />(1) conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the <br />character of soil erosion and the preventive measures needed; to <br />publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, or <br />research; to disseminate information concerning such methods; and <br />to conduct demonstrational projects in areas subject to erosion by <br />wind or water; <br /> <br />(2) carry out preventive measures, including, but not limited to <br />engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of <br />vegetation, and changes in use of land; and <br /> <br />(3) cooperate or enter into agreements with, or to furnish financial <br />or other aid to any agency or any person, subj ect to such <br />conditions as he may deem necessary. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />With these authorities and working mainly through local soil <br />conservation districts, the SCS helps individuals, groups, municipal <br />and county officials, and planning bodies to cope with problems of <br />erosion, water supply and disposal, improper land use, flooding, and <br />sedimentation. Assistance rendered by SCS ranges from advice and <br />consultation to on-site technical assistance for preparing conservation <br />plans; determining where conservation practices are practical and <br />necessary; designing, laying out, and supervising installation of the <br />practices; and checking and certifying performance of the practices. <br /> <br />Through the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service <br />and the Agricultural Conservation Program the USDA shares with land <br />users the cost of applying certain soil and water conservation measures <br />that emphasize conservation benefits of national concern. These <br />benefits include preserving, restoring and improving wetlands as <br /> <br />VIl-I <br /> <br />,~'O<ji\ <br />" \' }.. <br />IJ - <br />