2000 Soil & Water - US Dept of Agriculture Soil and Water Conservation Operational Agreement

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The county is authorized to enter into this agreement by North Carolina General Statute§153A-11 and§160A-461 -§160A-464. 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. The implementation of all programs will be done in accordance with program policy and procedure developed for that specific program. Inventories and Data Sharing: The parties agree to identify,define, and coordinate the collection and use of natural resource and other data needed to support the delivery of program benefits. The parties will cooperate in maintaining data to assure that it supports the mutual needs of the parties for resource planning and evaluation. The parties further agree that gathered data will be mutually shared and used in support of conservation program implementation. The parties will coordinate with public and private resource groups,other resource agencies,and interested parties to share information and resources as needed to facilitate implementation of the conservation program. Setting Program Priorities: The parties agree to implement the conservation program based on mutually developed priorities while recognizing individual responsibilities for federal, state,or local mandates. The parties further agree to annually re-evaluate established priorities and adjust as warranted. SWCD supervisors have responsibility to organize local work groups to assess resource conditions and establish local priorities. Programs to be Implemented: The parties agree to use federal, state,and local programs in a complimentary fashion to address local priorities and concerns. Attachment A includes a list of programs that will be utilized to address priorities and concerns. Marketing: The parties agree to conduct a common effort to inform the public of program opportunities and benefits. TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND JOB APPROVAL AUTHORITY The parties agree to utilize the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide or Soil and Water Conservation Commission adopted standards as the minimum technical standards for conservation program implementation in areas of mutual concern. The parties may utilize more stringent standards when necessary to comply with locally enacted laws or ordinances. The NRCS will be the lead agency in the development, maintenance,and interpretation of the Field Office Technical Guide. The parties agree that their respective employees will provide technical assistance based on assigned conservation practice(job approval)authority which is based on acquired knowledge, skills,and demonstrated ability and within applicable laws,regulations,and guidelines. Conservation practice(job approval)authority will be determined and documented according to NRCS National Engineering Manual,Part 501. 2