Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt the tenets provided by the Memorandum of Agreement among the Regional Council of Rural Counties, California State Association of Counties, United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management for utilization by the County;
b. Invoke the terms of the MOA with the Hollister Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management and the Los Padres National Forest, Goleta field office, of the United States Forest Service Agency; and
c. Designate the Director of the Resource Management Agency or his designee, as the County point of contact.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt the tenets provided by the Memorandum of Agreement among the Regional Council of Rural Counties, California State Association of Counties, United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management for utilization by the County; and
b. Invoke the terms provided of the MOA with the Hollister Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management and the Los Padres National Forest, Goleta field office, of the United States Forest Service; and
c. Designate the Director of the Monterey County Resource Management Agency, or his or her designee, as the County point of contact for the MOA.
SUMMARY:
A Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") among the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management - California ("BLM"), United States Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region ("USFS"), the California State Association of Counties, and Regional Council of Rural Counties was signed on July 23, 2012 and is officially effective for use by California counties. The MOA is included as an attachment to the draft resolution. The purpose of the MOA is to establish enhanced mutual communication between the USFS, BLM, and county governing bodies related to the land use planning and management of federal public lands and national forests. Monterey County may opt into the MOA via resolution that adopts the terms provided by the MOA, specifies the national forest/ USFS field office and the BLM field office with which the County wishes to engage, and designates a primary County contact.
DISCUSSION:
The USFS, BLM, and counties share a long partnership in the management of federal public lands and national forests in California. To foster a more productive partnership and facilitate communication between federal agencies and counties, the Regional Council of Rural Counties and the California State Association of Counties negotiated a MOA with the USFS - Region 5 and the BLM. Both the USFS and BLM manage land throughout Monterey County, including for example, the Los Padres National Forest and the Fort Ord National Monument respectively.
The MOA is intended to help improve interagency relationships to result in positive land management decisions for all parties. More specifically, the MOA provides for early and effective communication between the local and federal agencies in land use planning and management processes. The MOA specifies that the County, USFS, and BLM shall invite the participation of the respective federal or local agency frequently and early on in planning processes and work to achieve mutually agreeable results, consistent with each agency's identified plans and adopted policies. Opting in to the MOA by the County does not require that the County always agree with the BLM and/or USFS on every project or issue brought forward. Its purpose is to encourage dialog and communication that will hopefully result in cooperation.
The MOU term is for five years from the date of the last signature (July 23, 2012) which is July 23, 2017, after which it will be reviewed. If all parties concur, it will automatically be renewed for another five year term. If the County opts into the MOA, but at any time feels it is not beneficial, the County may opt out via a similar resolution process.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Los Padres National Forest Goleta field office and the BLM Hollister field office are the respective local forest and BLM field offices with land management responsibilities in Monterey County. RMA staff has been in contact with both agencies to determine appropriate points of contact.
FINANCING:
Existing staff resources will be utilized. There would be no impact on existing budgets or general funds.
Prepared by: Carl P. Holm, Resource Management Agency Deputy Director
Approved by: Benny J. Young, Resource Management Agency Director
Attachments:
1. Draft Resolution
ยท Exhibit 1 to Attachment A - Memorandum of Agreement Among California USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and Pacific Southwest Region, and the California Sate Association of Counties, and Regional Council of Rural Counties Representing California County Governing Bodies.