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CHAPTER 1530 - INTERDEPARTMENTAL
1530.6 - Interagency Relations
Governor of Montana, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service. The following memorandum of understanding provides opportunity for discussion of pending natural resource decisions and issues of mutual concern between the Governor of Montana, the Regional Forester of the Forest Service Northern Region, and the Montana State Director of the Bureau of Land
Management.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE GOVERNOR OF MONTANA;
THE STATE DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, MONTANA,
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR; AND
THE REGIONAL FORESTER OF THE NORTHERN REGION, FOREST SERVICE,
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
This Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as "Memorandum") is entered into pursuant to the general authorities granted to the participating persons and agencies.
Section I - Background
Approximately 30 percent of the land base in Montana is in Federal ownership, largely in natural resource lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and National Forests administered by the Forest Service. While the national value of these lands is well understood, the local economic and social impacts resulting from the development or nondevelopment of these natural resources lands are not always clearly defined or mutually perceived.
For many years, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Governor of
Montana have enjoyed a harmonious working relationship.
Section II - Purpose
It is critically important for Federal land managers and the Governor of Montana to continue to maintain a close and cooperative working relationship which strives for a continuous dialogue and joint decisionmaking on natural resource issues affecting Montana. This
Memorandum shall provide the impetus which will help integrate State concerns in Federal decisions and Federal concerns in State decisions.
Further, this Memorandum shall provide a structured forum through which the Governor of
Montana, the Regional Forester of the Forest Service Northern Region and the Montana State

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Director of the Bureau of Land Management can discuss pending decisions and natural resource issues of mutual concern.
Secion III - Natural Resource Council - Creation and Functions
1. Creation
The Governor of Montana, the Regional Forester of the Forest Service Northern Region and the Montana State Director of the Bureau of Land Management hereby agree to the creation of the "Natural Resource Council." The Council shall be created upon the execution of this document.
2. Functions
The Council Shall: a.act as a clearinghouse for significant natural resource related information affecting all parties, b.strive to reach a mutual and joint position on major natural resource issues, c.discuss and agree to "Action Plans" describing their mutual and joint position on major natural resource issues, d.meet at least three times a year to carry out the intent of this Memorandum, and e.meet in whole or in part with federal, state, or local agencies, such as Montana's
Natural Resource Mini-Cabinet, in order to acquire the most pertinent technical data which will facilitate the formulation of Action Plans.
Section IV - Termination and Addendas
1. This Memorandum may be terminated at any time by the Governor, Bureau of Land
Management State Director, or Regional Forester. Amendments can be made at any time through mutual written consent of all parties. The Governor shall schedule meetings of the participating parties and provide any needed liaison services.
2. IT IS FURTHER AGREED THAT each and every provision of this Memorandum is subject to the laws and regulations of the State of Montana and the laws of the United States, and the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior.
3. This agreement shall become effective as soon as signed by the parties hereto and shall continue in force unless terminated by any party upon thirty (30) days written notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this document to be executed this Second day of September, 1981.

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STATE OF MONTANA
DATE Sept 3, 1981 By /s/ Ted Schwenden
Governor
U. S. FOREST SERVICE
Date Sept 3, 1981 By /s/ Tom Coston
Regional Forester, Northern Region
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Date Sept 3, 1981 By /s/ Michael J. Pafeld