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Abstract
Excerpts from the report Preface: This brief history was written to explain how and why the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) became a participant in national water resources development programs. USDA was engaged in water resources management studies before the close of the 19th century. With the establishment of the Soil Conservation Service in 1935 and enactment of the Flood Control Act of 1936, USDA water resources programs were enlarged significantly. The Flood Control Act of 1944 and the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 added new responsibilities and programs for water resources planning and construction of works of improvement. This historical record provides information for analyzing water resources programs and for shaping appropriate USDA roles in future water management efforts. Fulfilling its broad responsibilities for protection and improving natural resources and for maintaining environmental quality requires USDA's creative, positive, and direct involvement in Federal water resources policies and actions.