It was a new approach for the disposal of public desert land, as the federal government decided this task was too large for individual settlers.
[2] Through advertising, these companies attracted farmers to the many states which successfully utilized the act, notably Idaho and Wyoming.
[2] The Act established the United States General Land Office, which was controlled by the federal government.
In general, the act was not as successful as intended, because few western states had the financial resources to make it effective.
[1] Examples of successful Carey Act projects include Boise, Minidoka and Twin Falls.