2010-141 DEAPR - Operational Agreement - Orange Soil and Water District

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4 This operational agreement renews the relationship between Orange County, the District, the Division, and the NRCS. Effective upon signing, it replaces the Memorandum of Understanding approved by the Orange County Commissioners on November 14, 2000 and signed May 7, 2001. In addition, this Agreement further defines a formal "Partnership Initiative" between the District and Orange County's Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR). This Initiative strengthens an alliance between the two agencies with similar missions. The affiliation between the two organizations is designed to strengthen and mutually-support each other and is undertaken by Orange County government in conjunction with the District. The Partnership Initiative is described in further detail in Attachment B to this Agreement. SECTION 2. AUTHORITIES, STATUTES, LAWS NRCS is authorized to cooperate and furnish assistance to the parties in the conservation of natural resources as referenced in the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, 16 U.S.C. 590; The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public Law 103-354; and Secretary's Memorandum No. 1010-1, Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture, dated October 20, 1994. DSWC is authorized to enter into this agreement by North Carolina General Statutes §139-4 and § 143B-294 - § 143B-297. The District authority is defined in Soil Conservation Districts Law, General Statutes of North Carolina §139-1 - §139-47. The County is authorized to enter into this agreement by North Carolina General Statutes § 153A- 11 and § 160A-461 - § 160A-464. SECTION 3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: CONSERVATION PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION The parties recognize the natural resources conservation program as a unique blend of voluntary conservation initiatives and federal, state, and local mandates. Together these address a variety of natural resource, environmental, and educational issues. The parties agree to jointly commit their program authorities and financial and human resources to cooperatively implement a unified natural resources conservation program in areas of mutual concern. An annual meeting will be convened to maintain communication of ideas, developments, concerns and changes within the scope of the District, Partners, and County relationships. Members of the committee will include representatives Orange County Government as selected from the Board of Commissioners, Orange County's Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Staff, the Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, members of the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District Boazd, and District Staff. The implementation of all programs will be performed in accordance with program policy and procedures, standards and specifications, developed for that specific program - whether federal, State or local. 2