V-27 



Department of Agriculture 



The Department of Agriculture contributes to the overall management, 

 use, and preservation of the estuarine system. The particular pro- 

 gram concern of the Department is land use, soil and water conserva- 

 tion, erosion prevention practices, and certain measures involved in 

 placing and maintaining these lands in a stable and productive con- 

 dition. As erosion and the volume of sediment is diminished, the 

 estuaries can more effectively perform their normal biological roles. 

 Its areawide sewer and water planning grants and its sewer and 

 water facilities loans and grant, contribute to the abatement of 

 pollution to the extent that they are adjacent to the estuarine 

 zone. 



Under Public Law 566, Watershed Projects provide effective control 

 and stabilization of sediment source areas that could otherwise con- 

 tribute harmful deposits into estuarine areas. 



The Forest Service has Federal leadership in the forestry phases of 

 watershed protection. Twelve National Forests, which involve lands 

 that drain directly into estuarine areas, have land management 

 activities that directly affect the estuarine resource. 



Research directed towards pesticide residues in silt and the use of 

 brackish water for irrigation will contribute to an increase in 

 knowledge of the estuaries, their uses and problems. 



