This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into between the National Association of Black County Officials, (NABCO), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, (Forest Service).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this MOU is to firmly establish a framework for the Forest Service and NABCO to work collaboratively on initiatives that mutually benefit each organization's missions and objectives. The Forest Service and NABCO will endeavor to create and maintain open lines of communication between Forest Service organizational units and national, regional and local members of NABCO.

STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTERESTS AND BENEFITS

Forest Service

The USDA Forest Service has legal responsibility for managing the Nation's 191 million acres of National Forest. The phrase, Caring for the Land and Serving People, captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the Forest Service mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of the American people. The Forest Service has responsibilities for maintaining federal lands to ensure a sustainable condition to continue to supply renewable resources to future generations.

The Forest Service also has responsibility for increasing the knowledge, awareness and appreciation of the Nation's natural resources for all Americans. The agency advocates outreach efforts to reach traditionally under-served and low-income communities. As an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service shares responsibilities under the National Performance Review mandate to "ensure a sustainable economy and a sustainable environment through ecosystem management."

National Association of Black County Officials

The National Association of Black County Officials represents a coalition of black elected and appointed officials from county-level government in the lower 48 states. Founded in 1975, NABCO is a membership association, which effectively serves the Nation's elected and appointed black county officials with a forum to review, share and develop responses to local and national issues. NABCO is governed by a 20 member Executive Committee representing both elected and appointment county government officials. NABCO successfully operates through several policy review committees, including a Finance Committee and a Welfare and Legislation Committee.

AGREEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK COUNTY OFFICIALS AGREES TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS.

Working closely with the Forest Service and other cooperators, NABCO will provide information to black county officials on a wide array of natural resource issues, including ecosystem based conservation practices and sustainable development. NABCO will provide an organizational structure for black county officials to effectively communicate information pertaining to national and local natural resource management issues that may affect their constituents. NABCO will advocate and support legislation that benefits their constituents, and will act as an information clearinghouse for causes that support their organizational goals and objectives.

Working with their membership and network of affiliates, including the National Policy Institute, an umbrella organization composed of several organizations, including the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National Caucus of Black School Board Members, and the National Conference of Black Mayors and other influential national organizations, NABCO will determine those natural resource management issues which are important to the NABCO membership, and will help the Forest Service and other affiliated organizations provide informational and educational materials to NABCO members.

NABCO will provide administrative and facilities support for the Forest Service as mutually agreed.

NABCO will provide the Forest Service with access to their Business Round Table, which may ultimately offer opportunities for additional partnership opportunities for the Forest Service.

THE USDA FOREST SERVICE AGREES TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS.

Begin preliminary activities and document preparation to provide Forest Service support to NABCO/NOBCO. Duties will be focused on the accomplishment of the tasks identified within this agreement.

Provide, on a regular basis, legislative and programmatic information to NABCO for inclusion in their publications, County Compass and County to County. The Forest Service will also provide information for the Weekly Member Update. Copies of these publications will be provided to the Forest Service to facilitate a clear and timely exchange of information.

Develop and maintain strong communications linkages with the National Policy Institute (NPI). NPI is an umbrella organization composed of several organizations, including the National Association of Black County Officials, the National Caucus of Black School Board Members, and the National Conference of Black Mayors and other influential national organizations.

Work to develop and maintain a partnership between Forest Service and NABCO/NOBCO in an array of issues relative to sustainable forestry and sustainable communities.

Provide expertise, guidance and current information about natural resource management issues and information to the NABCO/NOBCO leadership and membership

Facilitate an ongoing dialog between the Forest Service and NABCO/NOBCO about natural resource and sustainability issues of interest to local communities and their elected officials.

Foster rural community assistance in areas dependent upon natural resources, with special emphasis toward minority and low-income communities.

Serve as a facilitator and a source of knowledge and information about issues involving forest related resources that have potential effects on the counties represented by NABCO/NOBCO.

Maintain a leadership role as the entity responsible for providing information about Forest Service programs, initiatives and policies on a wide array of issues of interest to locally elected officials.

Invite NABCO representation at national conferences and meetings the Forest Service organizes to help both parties accomplish the goals stated in this MOU, and to continue to build and strengthen our collaborative relationships with NABCO/NOBCO.

Advocate Forest Service goals and objectives with NABCO/NOBCO membership and other affiliates. Maintain an emphasis and focus on traditionally underserved and low-income Americans.

THE FOLLOWING IS MUTUALLY AGREED TO AND UNDERSTOOD BY BOTH PARTIES.

This instrument is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the parties to this instrument will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and procedures including those for Government procurement and printing. Such endeavors will be outlined in separate agreements that shall be made in writing by representatives of the parties and shall be independently authorized by appropriate statutory authority. This instrument does not provide such authority. Specifically, this instrument does not establish authority for noncompetitive award to the Cooperator of any contract or other agreement. Any contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition.

This document does not infringe on Forest Service or NABCO decisions to participate in similar agreements or arrangements with other public or private agencies, organizations or individuals.

Separate action agendas on specific issues are to be detailed in appended documents. Action agendas will include descriptions of desired deliverables and roles and responsibilities of involved parties.

Any programs or cooperative efforts, including efforts involving the USDA Forest Service and state forestry organizations, conducted under this memorandum of understanding, will be in compliance in regard to nondiscrimination as contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. This act provides that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, age, sex, disability, religion, political beliefs, martial or familial status, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied any benefit of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving State or Federal financial assistance from any Federal or State Agency.

DURATION OF THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

This Memorandum of Understanding will become effective when signed by both parties and will continue in effect until terminated or modified at any time by mutual consent of the parties hereto, or may be terminated by any single party by providing 60 days notice in writing to the other party.

SIGNATURES

Signed this 24th of August, 1998

1. The National Organization of Black County Officials has established effective mechanisms for coordination its activities with other major national organizations. One such mechanism is the National Policy Institute (NPI), an umbrella organization composed of the seven national organizations of black elected officials organized by level of office. NPI members include the National Association Black County Officials, National Caucus of Black School Board Members, Congressional Black Caucus, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Judicial Council of the National Bar Association, National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the National Conference of Black Mayors.

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