MQ10RANDUM GF UNDERS^ANDI^3G 



BETOEEN 



FARMERS HCME ADMINISTRATION AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR INTERASENCY COORDINATION ON 



FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCE ISSUES AFFECTING FARMER PROGRAMS 



Purpose cuid Policy 



In corplying with Federal environmental protection laws, regulaticsis, and 

 Executive Orders and assessing the potential environnental inpacts of its 

 actions, including the making of loans and disposal of lands or interests 

 in such lands, the Farmers Home Aininistration (FmHA) consults with 

 appr<^riate Federal, State, or local agencies on the technical aspects of 

 environmental planning, including iirpact analysis and mitigation 

 alternatives. Hiis Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets forth the 

 consultation procedures to be followed by FmHA and the U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service (Service). Of particular relevance to this MOU is FmHA's 

 need to consult with the Service in inplementing RnHA's affirmative 

 responsibilities to protect and enhance wetland resources under the 

 requirements of Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, and as 

 further specified in 7 CFR Part 1940, Subpart G. This MOU does not 

 supersede ccaisultation as required under Section 7 "of the Endangered Species 

 fcti however, every ef tort win oe made to use tnis nou to tacilitate early 

 coordination on endangered species concerns. 



The Service has the expertise and capability to act as technical consultant 

 to FmHA on matters dealing with fish and wildlife resources and other 

 ewironroental anedyses, including reccranendations for protectioi and 

 restoratioVenliancenent of wetlands, floodplain habitats, and coastal 

 barrier resources and for endangered, threatened, antVor candidate species 

 and other fish and wildlife resources for which the Federal Government has 

 national or international managonent responsibilities. Hie Service has 

 the expertise to act as advocates for the fish and wildlife resource 

 interest (s) of State or local agencies or private non-profit organizations. 

 In carrying out these responsibilities, the Service will act as liaiscxi 

 betweei FlnHA and State fish and wildlife agencies and non-profit 

 organizations having fish and wildlife conservation as a focus, to ensure 

 that State and private concerns are fully coisidered. 



In additicai, the Food Security Pet of 1985 (Act) provides inportant new 

 opportunities for strengthening the farm ecoiory and contributing to fish 

 and wildlife resource conservation and wetlands protection and restoratioi. 

 Secticai 1318 of the ADt stipulates a role of the Service to assist FmHA in: 



