Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Mission Area
The goal of the Natural Resources and Environment mission area is to ensure the health of the land through sustainable management. To achieve this goal, NRE agencies work to: prevent damage to natural resources and the environment; restore the resource base and environment to a healthy and sustainable condition where it is impaired; and promote good land management to conserve resource health and ensure the maximum return from investment in conservation. NRE is composed of the Forest Service (FS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Both agencies also assist with rural development and help communities with natural resource concerns, such as erosion control, watershed protection, and forestry.

• Forest Service (FS) sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of the 191 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands. These areas provide multiple benefits to the country, from traditional commodities such as timber, range, forage, and minerals, to opportunities for recreation. Through the land and resource management planning process, this agency addresses the sustainability of ecosystems by restoring and maintaining species diversity and ecological productivity to provide for recreation, range, water, timber, fish, and wildlife. Through technical and financial help, the Forest Service also assists States and private landowners in promoting rural economic development, improving the natural environment of cities and communities, and practicing good stewardship on the Nation's 472 million acres of private forestland. The agency uses the best available scientific data to achieve its goals. Domestic and international activities are directed at values, products, and services that maintain ecosystem health.

  Authorizing Legislation: The Organic Administrative Act of 1897; the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act, P.L. 86-517; the National Forest Management Act, P.L. 94-588; the National Environmental Policy Act, P.L. 91-190; the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, P.L. 95-313; and the Forest and Rangelands Renewable Resources Planning Act, P.L. 95-307.

  Home Page Address: http://www.fs.fed.us

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides National leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve America's natural resources and environment. NRCS provides leadership for conservation activities on the Nation's 1.6 billion acres of private and other non-Federal land. This agency provides technical assistance and information to individuals; communities; tribal governments; Federal, State and local agencies; and others. The NRCS staff partners with staff of the local conservation district and state agencies and with volunteers. NRCS also offers financial assistance, surveys the Nation's soils, inventories natural resources conditions and use, provides water supply forecasts for Western States, and develops technical guidance for conservation planning. The benefits of these activities include not only sustaining and improving agricultural productivity, but also cleaner, safer, and more dependable water supplies; reduced damage caused by floods and other natural disasters; and an enhanced resource base to support continued economic development, recreation, and other purposes.

  Authorizing Legislation: The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, P.L. 103-354; Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1935, P.L. 74-46; Watershed and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, P.L. 83-566; Flood Control Act of 1944, P.L. 78-534; Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, P.L. 87-703, Sec. 102; Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, P.L. 97-98, Sec. 1528-1538; and Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, P.L. 104-127.

  Home Page Address: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov