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As early as 1867, bills were introduced in Congress to encourage irrigation and reclamation of unproductive land and, in 1877, the Desert Land Act linked irrigation to grants of public land. Congress also authorized studies of the Westâs geology and water supply, which culminated in comprehensive reports.
From 1862 to 1900, over 600,000 families took the government up on this offer. The Homestead Act was one of the largest attractions for families looking to settle in the West. Government offers such as the land grant to the railroads and the Homestead Act greatly aided in the settlement of the Great Plains.Without them, it is doubtful that the Great Plains would have been inhabited so quickly.overnment offers such as the land grant to the railroads and the Homestead Act greatly aided in the settlement of the Great Plains. Without them, it is doubtful that the Great Plains would have been inhabited so quickly.