§1501. Establishment and purpose of programs; contracting and purchasing authority of Secretary; maintenance of continuing and stable supply of agricultural commodities and forest products

Notwithstanding any other provision of law the Secretary shall carry out the purposes specified in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) of section 590g(a) of this title, section 590p(b) of this title, and in the Water Bank Act [16 U.S.C. §1301 et seq.] by entering into contracts of three, five, ten, or twenty-five years with, and at the option of, eligible owners and operators of land as determined by the Secretary and having such control as the Secretary determines to be needed on the farms, ranches, wetlands, forests, or other lands covered thereby. In addition, the Secretary is hereby authorized to purchase easements for a term of not less than 50 years to promote said purpose of this chapter, including the sound use and management of flood plains, shore lands, and aquatic areas of the Nation. Such contracts shall be designed to assist farm, ranch, wetland, and nonindustrial private forest owners and operators, or other owners or operators, to make, in orderly progression over a period of years, such changes, if any, as are needed to effectuate any of the purposes specified in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) of section 590g(a) of this title; section 590p(b) of this title; the Water Bank Act; in enlarging fish and wildlife and recreation sources; in improving the level of management of nonindustrial private forest lands; and in providing long-term wildlife and upland game cover. In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, due regard shall be given to the maintenance of a continuing and stable supply of agricultural commodities and forest products adequate to meet consumer demand at prices fair to both producers and consumers.

(Pub. L. 91–524, title X, §1001, as added Pub. L. 93–86, §1(28), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 241 ; amended Pub. L. 93–125, §1(g)(i), Oct. 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 450 ; Pub. L. 99–198, title XIII, §1318(b)(2), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1531 .)

References in Text

The Water Bank Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 91–559, Dec. 19, 1970, 84 Stat. 1468 , as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 29 (§1301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1985-Pub. L. 99–198 substituted "easements for a term of not less than 50 years" for "perpetual easements" in second sentence.

1973-Pub. L. 93–125 provided for corrective changes in format of this section by transferring pars. (1) to (4) to section 1503(a) of this title, which, as originally enacted, contained pars. (5) and (6) but failed to contain pars. (1) to (4). See section 1503(a) of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 1502, 1507, 1508, 2103 of this title.